From the hottest fashion shows and the latest happenings in the industry to photos of today’s outfits, Antoine Gregory’s Twitter account Bibby Gregory It has always served as a window into his mind. And at the forefront of that? Always black designers.
As one of only a handful of black students studying design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Gregory has always felt the need for more black faces in the fashion world. In 2016, he created a Twitter thread called “Black Designers You Should Know,” listing the names and websites of established and emerging black designers, including Carly Cushnie, James Fremans, LaQuan Smith, Hanifah, and Kerby Jean-Raymond. Little did he know that the thread would become the foundation of the platform he would launch four years later.
Black Fashion Fair launched this week, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With the weight of the current climate and social unrest propelling Black designers to the forefront of fashion’s consciousness, Black Fashion Fair lays out not only a mission but also a plan of action to keep Black talent at the center of the conversation. The platform is “a conceptual trade, education, and cultural experience aimed at discovering and evolving Black designers,” its site says. The pinnacle of BFF is the AZ Directory, which organizes creators by their real names rather than brand names.
“It’s also a tool to reach designer brands through commerce. It’s easy to buy Black products, but to sustain Black designers’ businesses in the long term, they need a community that supports them. I want to see Black designers become heritage brands,” he told Essence.
One way Gregory hopes to keep designers at the conversation is through BFF Fashion Stories, an ongoing series highlighting Black designers and the stories behind their brands. “Black Fashion Fair continues to fight for more access and visibility. As designers continue to gain equality in an industry that doesn’t reflect them, these stories document and preserve Black fashion and style. These stories are more than fashion; these stories are historical and cultural references; they represent people who are often forgotten and whose contributions have been largely ignored,” BFF wrote on the site. Alongside BFF’s debut, the platform released its first-ever fashion story, spotlighting Pear Moss, photographed by AB+DM’s Ahmad Barber and Donte Morris.
Today, BFF launches the latest leg of its multifaceted plans: a digital trade show showcasing the work of 21 designers, from Fe Noel to Tia Adeola to Phlemuns. Each brand participating in the fair will be asked to donate 15 percent of their profits to resources that support the next generation of designers.
Shop some of our favorite items below:
Theophilio Freedom Rasta Tank DressBrandon Blackwood ESR Mini Tote BagPhoto Credit: Sheila Rashid Charcoal Floral Hoodie (Limited Edition)Photo Credit: Tejan Barnett “NAOMI” Embellished Boots
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