BLACK HISTORY MONTH: FASHION REIMAGINED

February marks Black History Month in the United States, a time to learn and appreciate the place of Black history in America. While many companies have capitalized off Black culture without supporting the group in employment, money, or credit, representation has becoming increasingly prevalent in the fashion industry, and others

 

Couture, a notoriously specific aspect of fashion that doesn’t extend far from tall, thin, white women, has been expanding with the help of designers like Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino. In Valentino’s Spring 2019 collection, the show grasped public attention with beautiful clothes on a hugely diverse group of models, including African, South Asian, and Caribbean women. Representation in film, while still having a long way to go, has increased in diversity, as well as including more complex and interesting Black characters than before.

 

While it is wonderful to have a designated time to celebrate the Black impact on American culture, it is important to expand focus toward Black history all year round, rather than for just one month. Fashion is a huge industry that has been dominated by white leadership and creation for much of its time. It is important to learn the underlying and overlying contributions of Black professionals and actively seek out and represent their work.

 

Opening the doors to a more diverse group of people means opening the door to innovative and interesting works of art.

 

Have a great week!

Lola