“Equity for Black professionals means the ability to have the platforms to create a legacy in the fashion business as well as opportunities for personal brand building. Equity for me would also mean Black Professionals in the fashion business linking to form stronger coalitions to work together to enrich each others’ career experiences and to create safe pathways for the next generation of creatives. It also means magazines and photographers opening themselves up to new collaborators. Directors and managers should explore the full scope of the abilities of Black creatives in seeking them out not just to handle Black celebrities and subjects but allowing their unique viewpoints to be applied to other subjects as well. On unsung pioneers: I have always been obsessed with the work of Lawrence Steele. I loved the fun work of Patrick Kelly but Lawrence really stood out to me. That famous photo of the Great Young Designers in the July 2000 U.S. Vogue his picture as the only black face alongside Ghesquiere, Chalayan, Slimane, among others made a big impression on me and I had to know who he was. His work for Prada, as well as his work for his own brand, set a benchmark for sophistication that I could aspire to among the other great designers I admired.”
