Kenny “Kas” Flanagan Unveils The Welcome Black Collection

By AO Network Staff | September 2025

On September 15, 2025, fashion takes center stage as celebrity designer Kenny “Kas” Flanagan introduces his latest creation the Welcome Black Collection. More than just a showcase of fabric and design, the collection is a love letter to heritage, strength, and unapologetic style.

For over three decades, Kas has been the go-to visionary for stars like Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Toni Braxton, The Rock, Nelly, Ashanti, Kevin Hart, and more. His designs have always carried presence not whispering trends, but commanding attention. With Welcome Black, Kas continues his legacy of fearless couture: daring silhouettes, rich fabrics, and narratives rooted in power and cultural legacy.

Alongside this unveiling, Kas introduces W.E.T. (With Exceptional Taste), a gender-fluid line that dismantles outdated rules. “Fashion doesn’t have to be gendered,” Kas explains. “It’s about attitude, not anatomy. W.E.T. is for anyone ready to feel bold, unapologetic, and exceptional.”

Kas’s journey itself is legendary. A protégé of Yves Saint Laurent, he became the first African American male couture designer featured at Saks Fifth Avenue. His work has graced magazine covers, blockbuster films, and New York Fashion Week, while earning honors like the America’s Prince of Fashion Award and a Proclamation from the State of Maryland.

Now, with Hungerford Management Group powering his next chapter, the momentum is undeniable. “The Welcome Black Collection isn’t just fashion it’s a statement,” says Co-CEO Dana Hicks-Hungerford. As Kas himself defines it: “It’s a Lifestyle… KasLifestyle.” The Welcome Black Collection isn’t just a debut it’s a cultural reset, rewriting the rules of luxury and inclusion.