The fashion industry is known for bringing together tight-knit groups of industry insiders who are typically limited in terms of diversity and have unfortunately been at the helm of the industry, making it even more difficult for Black creatives to thrive.
But in recent months, the fashion industry has seen a resurgence in support for creators of color. This year, global uprisings have led the industry to think critically about hiring Black curators in the style field, while also having difficult conversations about the lack of resources available to Black designers.
“I’ve always noticed that black designers don’t have the same opportunities as their contemporaries,” says fashion consultant Antoine Gregory. Today, Gregory is launching Black Fashion Fair, a conceptual trade show that, as its website puts it, is “where fashion, community and culture meet.”
“Black Fashion Fair was founded with the mission to discover, support and evolve Black designers and the communities they inspire,” Gregory tells ESSENCE. “It started when I went to FIT and was the only Black student there. I realized that being the only Black student at one of the best fashion schools in the world meant that Black designers were not getting the education they needed.”
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On the other hand, fashion consultants Bibby Gregory On Twitter, we have 12.2 followers and growing. We frequently cover the latest trends in fashion including campaigns, fashion week, black style and more.
“Black Fashion Fair was founded with the mission to discover, support and evolve Black designers and the communities they inspire.”
—Antoine Gregory
In 2016, Gregory started a Twitter thread listing black designers. “I’ve updated it over the years,” he says. “Names, brands, websites, because I think designers are often known by their brands. Black designers should be known by their names.” Four years later, his idea, which began on social media, has moved into a multimedia platform.
When you log into Black Fashion Fair, you’ll see a design directory with a list of over 150 Black designers. “This is an opportunity to discover Black designers in a way that goes beyond a listing article,” Gregory says. “It’s also a tool to reach designer brands through commerce. It’s easy to buy Black clothes, but Black designers need support and community to sustain their businesses long term. I would love to see Black designers become heritage brands.”
But the platform’s functionality goes beyond just a database. Black Fashion Fair will act as a creative multi-purpose complex that will shine an editorial light on Black designers. The website will also feature fashion stories, portfolios, and of course, emerging fashion fairs. Due to COVID-19, Gregory’s original plans for a trade show launch have been postponed until spring 2021, when he plans to travel outside of New York City. “I’ll be able to shop and talk to Black designers and get a better understanding of the process behind their collections,” he explains. “I’ll also be traveling with my collections each season.”
Pierre Moss designer Kerby Jean-Raymond was the first designer Gregory worked with as part of Black Fashion Fair’s “Fashion Stories” concept. “KJR was the first designer to sign on to the project,” Gregory says. “I wanted to work with Kerby on my first Fashion Story because he’s such an example of what it means to tell our own story and what it means to own the narrative around Black fashion.”
As the industry begins to highlight more Black fashion curators than ever before, it’s just as important that these stories are told by creatives of color. Gregory says, “At a time when diversity and inclusion are more important than ever, it’s imperative that we tell the stories of Black designers. It’s also important that we have a say in how we are included and own the cultural information we put out into the world.”
For more information about Black Fashion Fair, visit www.blackfashionfair.org.
