Snappy Take:
- The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) recently launched the Social Justice Center (SJC), aimed at boosting opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the creative industries.
- Big-time fashion conglomerates like PVH Corp., Capri Holdings, and Tapestry chipped in $1 million each to kickstart the project, while the G-III Apparel Group funded the SJC Scholarship Fund.
- Notable industry players like Target, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Saks, and The Fragrance Foundation have pledged their support as well.
Insightful Info:
FIT Prepares to Establish a Social Justice Hub with Over $4 Million in Funding Already Secured
Driven by the influential role FIT plays in nurturing apparel industry talent and its longstanding position as a New York City fashion hub, the school aims to go beyond education and empower BIPOC youth from middle school onwards. This initiative, spearheaded by FIT President Joyce Brown, seeks to provide access, exposure, and training to BIPOC students, culminating in industry mentorship and opportunities.
Brands have been rethinking their approaches to diversity in response to recent social movements, such as George Floyd's murder and the Black Lives Matter protests. Encouraging steps, like Aurora James' Fifteen Percent Pledge, have pushed retailers to prioritize diversity across assortments, boards, and executive suites.
PVH CEO Stefan Larsson notes that early intervention and support are crucial for BIPOC creative talent to succeed. Jeffrey Tweedy, an alumnus of FIT and a renowned figure in the industry, will help build and expand the SJC. Major retailers may contribute to the SJC efforts by offering scholarships, internships, partnerships, sponsorship, or job placements to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within their respective industries. However, specific details on each retailer's involvement are not immediately available.
- The Social Justice Center (SJC) at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is breaking new ground, focusing on boosting opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the creative industries.
- High-profile fashion companies like PVH Corp., Capri Holdings, Tapestry, and G-III Apparel Group have donated $1 million each to fund the SJC, with G-III also creating the SJC Scholarship Fund.
- Target, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Saks, and The Fragrance Foundation are among various notable industry players providing support for the SJC.
- FIT President Joyce Brown is leading this initiative, aiming to go beyond education and empower BIPOC youth from middle school onwards.
- The SJC seeks to provide access, exposure, and training for BIPOC students, culminating in industry mentorship and opportunities.
- Brands are reconsidering their approaches to diversity, driven by social movements such as George Floyd's murder and the Black Lives Matter protests.
- Encouraging actions, such as Aurora James' Fifteen Percent Pledge, have led retailers to prioritize diversity across assortments, boards, and executive suites.
- PVH CEO Stefan Larsson emphasizes the importance of early intervention and support for BIPOC creative talent to thrive.
- Jeffrey Tweedy, a FIT alumnus and industry leader, will work on building and expanding the SJC.
- Major retailers may contribute to the SJC efforts by offering scholarships, internships, partnerships, sponsorships, or job placements aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their industries.
- While specific details on each retailer's involvement are not yet known, they stand to benefit from increased representation and contribution to the broader culture and fashion landscape.
- This focus on diversity-and-inclusion, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth in the fashion industry can inspire similar efforts in other sectors, like sports, technology, and finance, fostering a more inclusive society overall.
