Nia Thomas Redefines Resortwear With Modern Elegance
Some people spend their entire lives trying to home in on their passions, but for Nia Thomas, it seems like her destiny was written from the start. Growing up on New York's Long Island, she spent her evenings assisting her aunts in their alteration shop, learning just as much about the world through the lens of design as she did in any classroom. Within the walls of her family shop, she traveled through eras of history via vintage sewing patterns and discovered different cultures through the textures and colors of endless bolts of fabric.
Years later, all these lessons manifested in her eponymous resortwear brand. Restless and eager, she first hung out her shingle at age 23. Motivated both by a desire to travel and the hope of seeing more Black female designers rise to the mainstream of fashion, Thomas channeled ease and serenity in her early designs. 'Honestly, at the time I just wanted to feel like I was on vacation,' she jokingly confirms. Hand-crocheted dresses and bikinis, alongside seashell-embellished designs in shades of white and cream, quickly became staples and bestsellers for the young brand. From there, everything started to fall into place.
'It all happened so fast,' she says. 'I went from putting together a small fashion show to staying up until 3 A.M. creating a website so people could buy my designs.' Reflecting on her early days as a designer, she chalks up some of her fearlessness to naïveté. Nonetheless, her story motivates her to this day. 'You can do this at any age,' she says. 'You just have to be a little delusional and know that nothing can stop you.'
It's a sentiment that also sums up the process of creating her fall 2025 collection. Regal tones of blue, purple, and red were a departure from her usual neutral hues. 'I have such an affinity for warm weather and traveling to places that are rich with culture and color,' Thomas says. But her lineup was also full of contradictions. Halter tops were hand-crocheted using leather cording, while long coats and bolero jackets made of paper raffia swept the runway—letting us know that resortwear is for everywhere and anytime. 'When people think of materials like raffia, they automatically think of a straw bag you take to the beach,' Thomas says. 'But I say, 'No, you can wear it in the fall as a coat,' because I want to challenge what people think these materials can be used for.'
Thomas had a pop-up late last year at 'It' resort Palm Heights in the Grand Cayman, and her line is sold at Moda Operandi. Though her impeccable crocheted designs wouldn't be out of place at any of the White Lotus resort locations, she refuses to be pigeonholed. 'I want to steer away from solely being known for resortwear; I feel like it's just the thing that [resonated] with people. Still, I'm glad because there are so many designers who spend years trying to figure out their signature,' she says. 'Resortwear chose me; I didn't choose it.'
A version of this story appears in the Summer 2025 issue of ELLE.
GET THE LATEST ISSUE OF ELLE
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
7 hours ago
- Business Upturn
Is Duster season 2 happening? Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on July 4, 2025, 19:00 IST Last updated July 4, 2025, 13:21 IST If you just binged Duster on Max, you're probably itching to know if Jim Ellis and Nina Hayes will be back for more retro crime-drama action. The first season, with its gritty 1970s vibe, fast cars, and killer soundtrack, wrapped up its eight episodes on July 3, 2025, and fans are already clamoring for news about a second season. So, is Duster Season 2 happening? Let's break down what's out there, from cast hints to fan buzz, as of July 4, 2025. What Was Duster Season 1 All About? For those who haven't caught up, Duster takes you to the dusty roads of 1972 Southwest America. Josh Holloway stars as Jim Ellis, a smooth-talking getaway driver working for a crime boss, Ezra Saxton (Keith David). Things get wild when he teams up with Nina Hayes (Rachel Hilson), the FBI's first Black female agent, who's on a mission to take down Saxton's crew. The show mixes high-speed chases, shady deals, and a dose of heart, earning a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 85% audience score. It's got that old-school cool with a modern twist, tackling themes like trust and justice. Is Duster Season 2 Officially Happening? Right now, Max hasn't given the green light for Duster Season 2, but they haven't axed it either. The finale just dropped yesterday, so it's no surprise we're still waiting for word. Networks often take a few weeks—or even months—to crunch viewership numbers and decide a show's fate. That said, there's a lot of hope floating around. Josh Holloway and Rachel Hilson sound pumped about the idea of more episodes. In a recent chat, Hilson teased, 'I'm curious what Nina might do next—maybe flip the script and pull Jim into her world.' Comments like that suggest the cast is game, and with the show's solid reviews, Max might be tempted to keep the engines running. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Elle
9 hours ago
- Elle
26 Fourth of July Movies That Are Better Than Watching Fireworks
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Fireworks? Sure. A patriotic cookout? Maybe. A good movie lineup? Non-negotiable. Whether you're staying cool indoors or winding down after a day in the sun, nothing beats kicking back with a film that captures the spirit—or spectacle—of the Fourth of July. From nostalgic blockbusters to timeless dramas, these are the titles worth pressing play on during the long weekend. I mean, it's kind of all right there in the name. Watch Now on Prime Video Now that Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway hit is on Disney+, you can watch this Tony-winning musical right from home. Watch Now on Disney+ The maxi-sized Baker family (Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Hilary Duff, Tom Welling, and more) trek to Lake Winnetka to celebrate Labor Day, but watching little Mark Baker (Forrest Landis) set off an entire backpack full of fireworks and causing their boat to explode is much more entertaining than seeing it happen to your cousin. The Vietnam War tale, based on a veteran's true story, gets automatic inclusion on this list. Celebrating our country's Independence Day means remembering the dark days in our nation's history too. This 2021 film does just that—it follows abolitionist Harriet Tubman (played by Cynthia Erivo) who led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. It doesn't get much more American than this coming-of-age comedy with a strong dose of '60s nostalgia. Watch Now The action goes down on a Fourth of July weekend, but this horror movie might make you too afraid of sharks to ever celebrate July 4 on a beach again. This classic celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, so it might be time to brave the waters. This comedy doesn't scream Fourth of July, but the four main characters are heading to New Orleans on July 4th weekend for the Essence Festival. Independence Day films don't always have to be about outright patriotism and freedom—a nice laugh on the holiday works too. A musical classic about the man who wrote 'You're a Grand Old Flag.' Mustache-less Chris Evans. Need I say more? Watch Now Disney+ For the more eclectic celebrators, Moonrise Kingdom is the ultimate summery Wes Anderson Americana flick—and probably the only film that could actually make you actually want to go camping. Ava DuVernay directs this Civil Rights film that follows Martin Luther King Jr.'s (David Oyelowo) journey to securing voting rights for Black Americans. A biopic that truly demonstrates patriotism and freedom. Watch Now on Paramount+ This is the second Tom Cruise combat movie on this list, and it helped make 'Maverick' a part of the American pop-culture lexicon. Sure, it's another Tom Cruise film, but this one's a sequel that was 36 years in the making. With a new generation of rising stars (hi, Glen Powell), high-speed jets, and shirtless beach football, what more could you want in a summer movie? Corn on the cob and a dip in the pool for Independence day? Boring. Instead, try a summer lake-house romp that explores all of America's scariest lore in one fell swoop. Few things are more American than baseball. Feminist film A League of Their Own shows a women-led team breaking the glass ceiling in the male-dominated league. Nicolas Cage turns into a historian obsessed with finding a hidden treasure with links to his family history. His fixation leads him to steal the Declaration of Independence, where a coded message to a map lies. Will he find the treasure or is he just another victim of a good ole conspiracy theory? Watch and you'll see! The ultimate action actor, Harrison Ford, plays a former soldier turned president who must save his family and staff from terrorists after they hijack his plane. Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg (who also helmed Jaws above) directed and produced this biopic about former president Abraham Lincoln, with Daniel Day-Lewis delivering a stunning performance in the titular role. This 2012 film has become a staple of American cinema, which makes it a perfect 4th of July film. Celebrate the Black veterans who risked their lives fighting the Confederacy in the Civil War. This film brings all the feels. Starring Denzel Washington and a 20-year-old Ryan Gosling, this sports film is based on a true story of a newly integrated high school football team and their Black coach. The performances are spectacular, but it's the soundtrack that'll give you goosebumps. This thriller follows U.S. intelligence officers and Navy SEALS on their decade-long search for Osama bin Laden. Enter: Maya, a CIA intelligence analyst who might have answers to all of their questions. The untold story of three courageous Black women who helped NASA journey to space is the perfect film to reminisce about America's history. Add the stellar performances of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae, Hidden Figures might become one of your favorites. A love triangle and a historical drama all in one? Pop the popcorn, please. If Remember the Titans will make you tear up, then Saving Private Ryan will make you bawl. This war film follows a group of soldiers who venture behind enemy lines to rescue a lone soldier whose brothers have all been killed in combat. Watch Now on Prime Video Okay, technically it's not about the Fourth—but Eddie Murphy arriving in Queens in search of true love is a tribute to the American Dream story if we've ever seen one. Packed with iconic lines and peak '80s style, it's patriotic in its own way. Watch Now on Pluto TV Few movies capture the freedom of summer quite like this nostalgic coming-of-age classic. There's baseball, fireworks, s'mores, and just the right amount of childhood chaos. Watch Now on Hulu
USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
What to know about Beyoncé's Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt and their complicated role in history
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter wore a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt during her Juneteenth performance in Paris, sparking online debate over the group's complicated legacy in U.S. history. During her international stint, Beyoncé donned a shirt with images of the Buffalo Soldiers — African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War, primarily on the Western frontier. As part of their service, they built infrastructure, fought in the Indian Wars, and later served in conflicts like the Spanish-American War and World War I and World War II. They also participated in violent U.S. military campaigns against Indigenous peoples during westward expansion and land dispossession. On the back of her shirt there was a long description of the soldiers that read in part, 'their antagonists were the enemies of peace, order and settlement: warring Indians, bandits, cattle thieves, murderous gunmen, bootleggers, trespassers, and Mexican revolutionaries.' It's unclear where the passage originated. Some folks quickly criticized Beyoncé's wardrobe choice, specifically making note of the the phrase "enemies of peace" in relation to Indigenous people. One fan wrote, "Beyoncé wearing a Buffalo Soldiers shirt, an American army unit comprised exclusively of African Americans that helped European and White American colonists fight back Native Americans and seize control of their land, is not the serve she thinks it is." Another questioned, "Girl why I wake up and see Beyoncé calling Native Americans defending their home 'enemies of peace?'" Meanwhile, one fan offered another perspective on X, "Beyoncé wearing a Buffalo Soldiers T-shirt isn't glorifying genocide. It's a nod to a deeply complex and painful part of Black history — one that involves survival, contradiction and power structures that never had our best interest in mind." "Yes, these soldiers were involved in U.S. expansion and conflicts with Native nations," the fan wrote. "That's historical fact. But we have to zoom out: These Black men were used as tools in a white supremacist system they didn't control." These regiments were primarily composed of formerly enslaved Black men. They were deployed to support the U.S. government, which often meant using violence to seize land, resulting in the forced removal and destruction of Indigenous nations across the American West and the U.S.-Mexico border. Despite their role in the military, these soldiers faced intense racism and systemic discrimination within the very army they served. Riché Richardson, professor and chair in the Africana Studies and Research Center at Cornell University, said it's important to acknowledge both the realities and complexities when it comes to viewing this history. "American history is very charged, to be sure," she said. "It's about understanding the long-standing contributions that people of African descent have made to the military, and it's not been a perfect union. I think the challenge has always been to help create a more perfect union, and people of African descent have, in some cases, been complicit with policies that are detrimental to other populations. So I think it's important for there to be an acknowledgment of that." Richardson viewed the Buffalo Soldiers shirt in the context of Beyoncé's background. "I find her as a product of what I analyze as the Africana Southwest, as a Texas native," Richardson said. "So, given the themes associated with this most recent album and the concert tour, I presume that she's embracing the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers in tandem with that." The Buffalo Soldiers' complicated legacy doesn't solely consist of their contributions to the United States' westward expansion. According to the U.S. Department of Interior, the soldiers also served as some of the country's first park rangers. "These dedicated men protected wildlife from poachers, built trails and forged a proud legacy in our nation's history," the department wrote on social media. Richardson said the criticism of Beyoncé's shirt was valid and important, but she advised folks not to immediately jump to conclusions about the singer's messaging. "My inclination is not to think the worst of Beyoncé precisely because of her investments and critical thinking and her efforts to bring public attention to so many issues," she said. Richardson emphasized the importance of viewing Beyoncé's actions within the broader context of her career and activism. "I think she's gone out of her way in so many instances to try to impact lives and make a difference," Richardson said. "She's consistently compassionate. I think people should not draw conclusions, especially without adequate information. She's a performer. There's performance art. There are all kinds of things. At the very least, it's a teaching moment from which everyone can learn." She said it's important to remember that a single image doesn't always reflect a full endorsement or clear message. "I think it's always important for us to have awareness of the messages that we send, but I wouldn't necessarily just assume that wearing a shirt is an indicator of an endorsement of any particular ideas," Richardson said. "Because that certainly isn't in keeping with what we see and know of Beyoncé." Beyoncé is in the middle of her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour, which is in support of her album "Cowboy Carter." The project, which features emerging Black country artists and country legends alike, became a catalyst for the renewed spotlight on Black country artists and the genre's Black roots. The album has challenged music industry norms and sparked important conversations pertaining to the intersection of race and country music. The tour spans nine cities across the U.S. and Europe. The grand finale is set to take place in Las Vegas on July 26. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
