Woman makes history as the first black female designer to partner with Kohl’s

The latest Tek Gear capsule collection from Kohl’s was created in collaboration with design guru Barbara Clarke Ruiz, best known for her colorful and functional athletic apparel and sportswear designs. The collection is currently available online and in some stores.

This new limited-edition collection for Tek Gear strengthens the company’s active and athleisure private label offerings as Kohl’s advances its plan to establish itself as the go-to retailer for the active and casual lifestyle.

Ruiz has worked with some of the most well-known figures in the fashion world for more than 20 years.

This collection features vibrant colors, statement-making prints, and body-positive fits. Including styles for men, women, and kids, and is specifically designed to make customers feel confident

Stylish, and energized. Each of the collections utilizes super soft fabrics and trend-forward design features.

The ladies’ collection includes peek-a-boo cutouts, wide satin drawstrings, ruching, and extra-long unfinished hems on the palazzo pants that allow customers to personalize to their preferred lengths.

The Men’s and Boy’s collections are a play on active streetwear classics updated with functional fabrics and bold digital and graffiti prints.

The girl’s collection is fun and functional for the season, utilizing buttery Soft Tek fleece with a bold pastel floral.

Barbara states, “I’m blessed to have had so many dreams come to life. I don’t take any of it for granted because I’ve had to put a lot of work to bring these dreams to fruition and that takes time.

It doesn’t happen overnight and every opportunity leads you to a bigger opportunity or a bigger door.

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I feel blessed to be granted this opportunity of being the first black female designer to partner with Kohl’s. This is bigger than I could have ever imagined!”

With a strong focus on athleisure that goes from the gym to the street – the Tek Gear x BCR collection is for diverse audiences, girls, boys, men, and women of all sizes touts a diverse and body positive at its core