Afropunk has unveiled details for its first-ever Black Fashion Accelerator program, a Shopify-partnering experience that will span six months and culminate with a show this summer.
The inaugural 2022 class will have access to insight from program mentor and DYNE creative director Christopher Bevans, whose previous credits also include work with Yeezy and the MacArthur Foundation. The inaugural class will be able to make use of other industry-specific resources, including the assistance of three guest mentors as part of a larger curriculum designed with an end goal of strengthening a brand’s success and sustainability.
Featured in the inaugural Black Fashion Accelerator Class are the following entrepreneurial and creative voices who have been determined by the Afropunk team to boast the potential for “major impact” on the fashion industry at large: Par Bronte Laurent founder Bronté Laurent, Wear Brims founders Archie Clay III and Tajh Crutch, Corin DeMarco founder Corin Lindsay, Besida founder Sophia Danner-Okotie, Abeille Creations founder Melissa A. Mitchell, MIZIZI founder Paakow Essandoh, RuvaAfricWear founder Sylvester Ndhlovu, Vavvoune founder Valerie Blaise, and House of Fleek founder Jelisa Smith.
As for the culminating fashion show, that is set to take place this June. In the meantime, both Afropunk and Shopify will provide the general public with continued updates by way of social media showing how the founding class is faring on their collective six-month journey.
For more info on the Black Fashion Accelerator Class of 2022, click here. Also worth highlighting is that Shopify is currently accepting registrations for its 1 Million Black Businesses program, an initiative with Operation Hope that aims to provide Black entrepreneurs with a variety of resources and potential chances for networking. For registration info, hit this link.
