Supporting Black Fashion Designer

Black fashion designers have played an integral role in the fashion history, from Patrick Kelly and Willi Smith, to Pyer Moss and Dapper Dan. However, these creative visionaries have not always had the moral and economic support that their white counterparts have. This is a common issue that a lot of minority designers have in the industry. In fact, some brands that had the potential to be sustainable ended up having to close their doors simply because a lack of funding, wholesale opportunities, etc. Think about it, how many black-owned brands hanging on the racks of Nordstrom, Barney’s and Neiman Marcus. They’re disproportionately outnumbered.

Nonetheless, I think that in addition to racially discriminatory practices, celebrities and other lovers of luxury brands should do a better job at supporting black designers. Instead of parading around in Chanel, Gucci and Givenchy, why don’t we start rocking Pyer Moss like it’s the best thing since Yves Saint Laurent? I think that “the culture” has done an excellent job at supporting brands like Telfar but we still have a long ways to go. Industry powerhouses play a significant role in the disproportionate success rates of black brands, but consumers play a more integral role in this issue than they think.

Photo Credit:

SB Shades - Celebrity Scope

Cushnie - Women's Wear Daily

Pyer Moss - Vogue

Report: Julian Randall

The Kelly Initiative

The eruption of protests against racist police brutality across the world has incited changes within various industries to become more inclusive of black talent. One such institution, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, has attempted to rectify the rampant racism in the fashion industry through a new series of mandates. These efforts include mentorships and internships, as well as another in-house program dedicated to employing exceptional black creatives to esteemed brands. Black designers, however, feel that these changes are too little, too late.

Thus, 250 black creatives signed the Kelly Initiative, a petition that would effect greater change than the proposals of the CFDA. Named after black fashion legend Patrick Kelly, the initiative demands that CFDA affiliates report the racial makeup of their staff, managers enroll in racial sensitivity training, and CFDA members sign a pledge that assures career opportunities for black creatives. The Kelly Initiative was the creation of editor Jason Campbell, creative director Henrietta Gallina, and writer Kibwe Chase-Marshall, and it has since been signed by such industrial authorities as designer Martine Rose and fashion publicist Kevin McIntosh, Jr. Now it is the CFDA’s responsibility to heed the words of an underrepresented section of fashion professionals and implement the proper changes to build a more inclusive industry. As stated by the Kelly Initiative itself, "There is no time to waste much work to be done. We assert that engaging dedicated Black fashion professionals in its architecting will ensure its enduring impact for Black talent pursuing newly equitable access to bright professional futures.”

Report: Nia Hunt