What’s Next In Fashion? Diversity, Inclusion, At All Levels
September New York Fashion Week is already a memory. The industry continues its struggle to make it to the other side of the coronavirus pandemic. Brands wrestle with the social unrest in our country driven by racial injustices. So what’s next? A rollout of free virtual training geared to support diverse aspiring fashion professionals will kick off in three days.
NYFW: NXT Endeavor Impact free online content will be available starting on Monday, September 28th. This initiative is meant to give access to industry insider knowledge to underrepresented communities. In other words, it is a push to diversify the pool of fashion industry professionals.
Registration is open now. Workshops, courses and talks led by proven industry creatives will be running for free from September 28ththrough October 9th. Fashion’s heavy hitters will share their experiences and the ins and outs of what they do. Therefore, this is going to be a program not to be missed!
What to Expect From the Course
Jason Wu will map out how to create a breakout fashion moment. After that, models Chanel Iman, Emily DiDonato, Nouri Hassan, and Zach Miko are on deck, too. They will address aspiring models in their panel discussion “Breaking the Mold: The Modeling Industry.” Topics of conversation will be diversity and body inclusivity in fashion.
In addition, Rebecca Minkoff, long time industry veteran, founder of her eponymous brand as well as the Female Founder Collection (of which we are a proud member of), will detail how a collection comes to life from concept to catwalk.
What the Industry is Saying
Recently, executive Vice President of fashion events and properties at IMG, Leslie Russo, told Variety “The events of 2020 have created a cultural watershed moment. Through NYFW: NXT, we hope to spark meaningful dialogue between today’s experts and tomorrow’s leaders, accelerating paths to entry for diverse young groups ready to make change in our industry.”
Romola Ratnam, head of social impact at Endeavor continued, “We’re thrilled to leverage the Endeavor network to create exposure for those seeking access to an oftentimes exclusive industry. This is just one step on our continued journey to create opportunities for aspiring professionals to enter, succeed and make change in the fashion industry.”
Word has spread. More than 1,600 registrants have signed up to be a part of the program. According to WWD, many signed up through outreach by groups such as Black Design Collective, HBCU 20×20, HBCU in L.A., Mesa Hilton’s Fashion Academy, and Lower Eastside Girls Club. In addition, various colleges and universities through the Endeavor network’s higher education relationship have also helped spread awareness.
Endeavor’s goals are to promote increased access and opportunity in the sports, entertainment and fashion industries. The NYFW: NXT program follows the Endeavor Impact Fellowship Program and the freshly wrapped Endeavor Summer Series. The Summer Series was stacked with power players dropping their hard-earned knowledge.
How to Sign Up
Registration is free and open to the public. To conclude, if you have dreamed about entering into the fashion industry, this is for you. Level up your skillset to rise the ranks of the design firm you are currently working at. Sign up for this course. Share it with a friend who has the passion but needs to the break.
Thanks for stopping by! As always, and especially now, we love to hear from you. Read more helpful posts like this one on our blog and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Come back! Tell us which courses you tuned into and what you took away from them.
