Harlem’s Fashion Row chief executive officer Brandice Daniel has been a key advocate for designers of color since establishing the agency in 2007.
“It’s going into spaces and places where people don’t look like you, where you may not know anyone there. I think that’s really important,” she said. “When brands start to work with us, the first thing I say is to come to our designers’ retreat and when people come into that space, it’s all Black designers. Go into those spaces and soak it up. Because those are the types of experiences that really help innovation.
As part of its mission to champion designers of color, Harlem’s Fashion Row has worked with major corporate partners including Target Corp., Macy’s Inc., Covergirl, Pandora jewelry, Coca-Cola and many more. And its New York Fashion Week events have grown to be among the most anticipated of the season.
Edwards is also doing his part in creating a bridge between brands and designers, recently launching the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, Michigan’s first and only HBCU focused on design. Last month, Nike revealed that it will invest $3 million into the school over the next three years. Said Edwards: “I am a coach and mentor, talent scout, I am still a teacher. These kids need mentorship. Making sure that we care, that they matter, is critical and front and center [of the work we do].”