FIT Museum to launch Black Fashion Designers exhibit

By

Kate Dingwall

Published
Oct 23, 2016

FITNYC will be opening a major exhibition December showcasing the work of African-American and African fashion designers and their impact in the fashion industry. The exhibit will focus on the the global history of black designers and include designs from the last 70 years, as well as put a spotlight on influential black models like Naomi Sims, Veronica Webb, and Liya Kebede. This is the first major exhibit that highlights the work and history of black fashion designers. 

In a press release announcing the exhibition, the museum said the event "is meant to enliven the conversation about historic and ongoing issues of diversity within the fashion industry. It honors the creative talents of designers who are often overlooked and provides a fresh, holistic view of the fashion industry, emphasizing the significant roles in culture and society played by black designers."

The exhibition will feature over 75 different looks from 60 different designers. Many influential designers of the past and present will be included in this exhibit, including couturier Anne Lowe,   Hood by Air’s Shayne Oliver, Sean John, Pyer Moss, Tracy Reese, and Grace Wales Bonner. 

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A short film on diversity in fashion will also be shown alongside the pieces. The film follows a discussion by Andrey Leon Talley with designers Tracy Reese and Mimi Plange.

The exhibit will be open from December 6th, 2016 to May 16th, 2017 at the Fashion & Textile History Gallery at FITNYC.