Shopify and Afropunk presented a “one-of-a-kind” fashion show displaying the work of the initiative’s nine participants as part of the duo’s Black Fashion Accelerator (BFA) program.
With mentorship from seasoned creative director Christopher Bevans and access to show off their products at Shopify SoHo, the intensive program aimed to help the selected Black fashion designers grow their businesses.
The final exhibition, hosted by social media influencer Gitoo and sponsored by Mielle, Thread Beauty, and PearNova, welcomed a lot of guests to view the designers’ collections.
“It’s been a huge honor to work alongside Afropunk with this cohort of exceptional fashion entrepreneurs,” said Amena Agbaje, the lead of Shopify’s Black Entrepreneurship program, in a statement.
The fashion show highlighted the BFA founders by displaying an incredible selection of fits and clothing by the designers.
Before the show, Anita Asante, AFROPUNK’s Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, Amena Agbaje, Shopify’s Program Lead, Black Entrepreneurship (Build Black), and Monique Rodriguez, CEO of Mielle, were invited to make an opening speech. Chris Bevans, Senior Creative Lead at Shopify and mentor for the BFA program, was also invited. Laya, a local R&B singer, performed as part of the festivities.
The BFA participants included luxury womenswear designer Bronté Laurent, Wear Brims’ Archie Clay III and Tajh Crutch, Corin Demarco founder Corin Lindsay, Besida’s Sophia Danner-Okotie, and Melissa A. Mitchell, founder of Abeille Creations, as well as Mizizi’s Paakow Essandoh, Ruvaafricwear’s Sylvester Ndhlovu, Vavvoune’s Valerie.
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