This past Friday, I had the honor and the privilege to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Black in Time event. The event was curated by the FIT Black Student Union( Members: Joi Berry, Director of Digital Marketing/PR, Maeve Cahill, “Black in Time” curator, Dariell Allick, BSU Member, Georgia Aldo, BSU Member, Awa Doumbia, BSU President/”Black in Time” curator, Kiara Williams, BSU Treasurer/”Black in Time” curator, and Kennedi Doram, BSU Secretary.) The event was not only a reminder of our history as a culture within the Fashion industry but also an introductory for those that are next in line to make their contributions in the Fashion Industry and inspire the next generation of young up and coming Black fashion creatives.
The night’s festivities began with a very in-depth panel discussion about the role of black people within the fashion industry and the trials and tribulations that one must endure in it. The panel was moderated by BSU Treasurer, Kiara Williams aka Keys La’Ché. Fellow BSU colleagues, Awa Doumbia and Kennedi Doram aka Kennie from Kentucky were also a part of the panel and gave insight on the day to day grind of being a college student at FIT as well as being entry-level professionals in their careers of choice within the Fashion industry. Industry veterans as well as FIT instructors, Mike Bogard aka Mike B and Misa Hylton, also chimed in to offer their wisdom on how to navigate through the troubled waters that black people have to deal with in the fashion industry as well as the importance of being flexible, showing humility to those that came before you, and adapting to the times. Overall, it was a discussion that could inspire all people from different walks of life.
After the panel, audience members were blessed with a runway display of clothing designs heavily inspired by African ancestry as well as our cultural activist and icons.
Black in Time was an event that chronicled the history of our ancestors through the form of visual storytelling. Our pain, our pride, and our triumphs were put on display for all to see from young and old alike. The event was a celebration of how far we have come as a people and where we are heading. But no matter where our future leads, the influence of those that came before us, will travel alongside the next generation of black fashion influencers.
For all things black/Afrocentric at FIT, follow @BSU_FIT on Instagram.
