STYLD TALKS: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLACK IN FASHION?

What it do y'all? Welcome back to STYLD 101, it's your favorite blogger and I am back with another post. Y'all see the title, today I'm are going to talk my shit as usual about what it truly means to be black in fashion and I also asked a few of my fellow colleagues on what it means to them. This post might be a little lengthy compared to other posts but that's the point of STYLD talks! Just like everything else, we always have to be twice as good and with the fashion industry already being a complex, and sometimes even racist, world to get into then you really got to be on top of your shit. To be black and to be in fashion is so important because it's already not enough of us.

"Being Black in fashion to me means to be bold, to be daring, to be unique. Black fashion is the #1 trend setter in the world so to be apart of it is not only an honor but it’s a major influence to our culture." - Darris Rushing, Wardrobe Stylist

It's so important for me to be in fashion, especially now, because as a black man and we as black people have to change the narrative back. Which is why I think it's also so important that we support each other, because if we were to leave it to everybody else then we would get nowhere. The industry already love taking our trends making it as if they came up with it themselves so do you really think that they need us?

I have so many friends in fashion that are just doing the damn thing and I always make sure I give them their props because when you succeed, I succeed. Once again, that's also where representation comes into play. Just being black alone we already have the odds stacked against us, but to be black and to be a stylist, designer, blogger, etc. may make somebody feel like they can do it all just because they seen you do it. When you read Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, etc. or even on the runway, you don't automatically see many representations of us. Even when you turn a few pages you might see one black girl in an ad with 10 other white girls and her hair not even done! Whether people want to admit it or not, black culture is heavily influenced in fashion and if it weren't for us then fashion wouldn't be where it is today. They may hate us, but they want to be us.

"I feel like we as black people are the originators and creators for soooooo much in the fashion industry. But the sad thing is, we also have to work twice as hard just to really be able to make a name for ourselves. It’s a struggle to get people to spend big money on black brands, but they do it so easily for white designers. I feel like slowly but surely things are changing though, so hopefully soon we’ll see more stories like Rihanna" - Jayda Ellis, Fashion Designer

I was reading an article, which actually inspired this post, and it said, "I think once you start sort of labelling brands as “black” or a designer as “black,” you end up with a situation like we had back in the 1990s with ‘urban fashion,’” (Sean John, Phat Farm, Rocawear and FUBU) "There was this sense that regardless of what the clothing looked like, it was, the ethnicity of the designer that almost determined how the fashion was categorized, or where it was placed in a department store.” For me, that was really important because that basically sums up what being black in the industry means. There's no longevity when it comes us but why is that?

We’re so innovative that it’s often called “ghetto” , but nine chances out of ten the same ghetto innovative things that were being downed upon will end up on a high end brand runway the following season. Many fast fashion brands tend to steal black designers work which is also a con, because there’s really nothing that can be done about it. All in all, I wouldn’t want to be anything other than a black fashion designer. I’ve just realized that I’m going to have to put in an abundance of extra work to get to the mainstream level that I want to be. - Jimelle Levon, Fashion Designer

As previously stated, when it comes to the fashion industry it can be very racist. Not even a few months into 2019 & brands such as Gucci, Prada, Burberry, etc. had shown their true colors by making racial statements by including racist items into their collections. They shed a few white tears and the whole world just seem to have forgotten. They throw in a few black models and act like they're so "diverse." Not only do we black people in fashion already have to deal with racism, but they also deal with colorism, especially black women in the industry. Whether people want to admit it or not, you have to be the “right” kind of black and have the "right" image in order to fully be accepted in fashion. Even when we think we're good enough, they always want us to live up to Eurocentric beauty standards and sadly it's starting to become normalized.

Even when you look into the crowd at fashion shows, particually NYFW, most of the bloggers sitting front row are white. There are so many dope ass black creators who can do it but nothing ever reflects that. Black people have created so many revenues for ourselves in fashion, but yet we are never first choice. It's so important to see black designers such as LaQuan Smith, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Virgil Abloh, Carly Cushnie, etc. because we're not used to seeing them on runways. Just last year, Virgil Abloh made history by becoming the first black man to take on the role as Louis Vuitton's creative director.

"As a black man in fashion, I have been fortunate enough to come up in a space with other heavy hitters in fashion as we have taken the world by storm. Blacks have truly been dominating fashion and have become the "ideal" people to turn to for a look. That power is then divided up to into the possession of the many young black influencers and enthusiasts in our world. They then use this power and drive to further their creativity in other spaces and soon takeover; blogging, styling, creative direction, designing and etc. All in alll, right now and maybe forever, being Black in fashion is power. We hold the key to the future of fashion. We are "the tea" in fashion." - Carlyto J, Fashion Enthusiast/ Influencer

This is why it was so important for me to make this blog post because we have to keep this conversation alive. Even though we have come so far in the industry, we still have so far to go. We constantly need to remind people how we play such a huge role because when they lose the blueprint, what they gonna do? It's time that we have our own seat at the table. We are trained to compete and to think that there can only be one of us when there is a whole industry that looks exactly the same, but only a few represent us.

"To me, being black in Fashion allows me to have a voice, especially in a world where a woman of color’s words can be misconstrued as anger or frustration.Instead, when I step into a room or onto a street, my fashion speaks volumes. It even makes those who are not comfortable within their own skin to fight a little bc my fashion urges them to accept the unconventional, even if it’s for a second. To me, being black in Fashion allows me to be bold and intentional when going after my dreams. And when doing that, I experience a new reality that encourages other creatives of color to have that same energy, faith & persistence within their own interests. To me, being black in Fashion has become a way of life. I get to be who I am, I get to do what I love, & I get to be a steward to others all while looking good!!!! To me, being black in Fashion saved my life." - Char’nae Davis, Creative Consultant

That about wraps up this blog, I hoped you guys enjoyed today's STYLD TALKS. If you guys would like to see more let me know in the comments! This is your favorite blogger signing out & I will see you guys in my next blog!

#STAYSTYLD