Ota Benga (double brim)

Double brimmed hat with the depiction of Ota Benga…

Ota benga was a Mbuti man. In the early 1900 he was placed at the Saint Louis World's Fair, the Museum of Natural History, and the Bronx Zoo Monkey House before settling in Lynchburg, where he died by suicide. Despite the common belief that he was forced to sharpen teeth to look more menacing, this look was seen almost as a fashion statement and was voluntary.

The designer felt connected to do his story because of the similarities he seen between Ota Benga, Kunta Kente and even Himself. Being from NYC and being around the same age as these people while discovering them inspired him along with other reasons such as their rightfully rebellious energy. This led him to wanting to acknowledge their stories and shine light on it to the public…and thus, Was made.