Denim Tears debuts its capsule collection, “Knowbody Nose,” inspired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition, Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876–Now. Created by Tremaine Emory, this collection reimagines the mythology surrounding the Great Sphinx’s missing nose, exploring the themes of cultural legacy and the journey of ancient artifacts into modern institutions. The collection features original designs by Emory that raise questions about cultural ownership: “How does an artifact from Egypt – or any part of the ancient world – find itself miles away in a major city museum?”
The “Knowbody Nose” capsule includes a sweatshirt, t-shirt, tote, and hat, each bearing Emory’s original image inspired by ancient Egyptian iconography and Black identity. The capsule’s motifs capture the tension between heritage and modern-day representation, channeling the spirit of the Flight into Egypt exhibition, which opens November 17, 2024, at The Met’s Fifth Avenue location. Emory’s vision aligns with the exhibition’s broader themes, providing a contemporary lens through which the cultural echoes of ancient Egypt are felt and interpreted by Black artists.
The Met’s exhibition itself presents an extensive, 150-year look at the intersections between Black creativity and ancient Egyptian symbolism across various art forms. By including nearly 200 works across sculpture, literature, music, and performance, Flight into Egypt examines how ancient Egypt has served as an artistic and cultural reference point within the Black diaspora. This exhibition extends from the Harlem Renaissance’s artistic awakening to the political expressions of the Black Arts Movement and into today’s diverse creative landscape.
The Met’s exhibition includes select pieces from Denim Tears’ collaboration with Levi’s, such as Tracy’s King Tut Black Leather Vest and Tracy’s King Tut Leather Belt.
The “Knowbody Nose” capsule collection is available through Denim Tears’ website, at Africa Diaspora Goods, and The Met Fifth Avenue.
