Heyo! Let's get down to the scoop on the Social Justice Center at FIT!
- The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) has just announced the launch of this epic center, focusing on escalating social equity and opportunities within the creative industries for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community.
- Some big names in the fashion biz, including PVH Corp., Capri Holdings, and Tapestry, made a combined $3 million pledge to kick-start this badass center, according to an official statement from FIT—it's a part of the State University of New York system.
- G-III Apparel Group dropped some change too, contributing to the SJC Scholarship Fund, which already has over $1.5 million in contributions. Popular retailers like Target, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Saks, and The Fragrance Foundation have also thrown their support behind this crucial initiative.
So, what's the dealio with FIT, anyway?
FIT prepares to establish a social justice centre, boasting a substantial initial fund of over $4 million.
As an influential hub for nurturing talent in the whole shebang of the apparel game, from mainstream to haute couture and even their own indie brands, FIT plays a significant role in maintaining NYC's status as a fashion powerhouse.
With this new center, FIT is stepping up its game by investing early in BIPOC youth, ensuring they can make informed choices about their careers. FIT President, Joyce Brown, put it like this: "We're jumping in early with BIPOC youth so they can make educated decisions about their future careers." While they're in college, FIT plans to provide these students with a behind-the-scenes peek at the industry along with concentrated guidance and training. industry heavyweights will then offer mentorship, guidance, and opportunities to help fast-track these students' careers.
Brown believes it's FIT's responsibility to remove barriers for diverse students and amplify their value in various creative disciplines, including fashion, beauty, interior design, graphic design, advertising, and communications.
Why the sudden push for change?
The nationwide Black Lives Matter protests of the summer of 2020, following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, have got brands taking a hard look in the mirror. Initiatives within the industry, such as Aurora James' Fifteen Percent Pledge, have prompted retailers to go beyond speedy marketing campaigns and supportive social media posts, taking concrete steps towards true inclusivity. This has led major retailers like Target, Macy's, Nordstrom, Sephora, and others to bring more diversity into their holdings, boards, and executive suites.
Stefan Larsson, CEO of PVH, said the Social Justice Center's approach of supporting students at every stage of their careers will help nurture promising talent from the BIPOC community and help erase existing roadblocks on their path to success.
Jeffrey Tweedy, a renowned FIT alumnus with an impressive resume including stints as president and CEO of Sean Combs' Sean John brand, has been tapped to help build and expand the center. Tweedy, who remains at Sean John as a brand advisor, also sits on the boards or serves as an adviser to several other organizations, including Academy Sports, Pineywood Boarding School, the Black Action Retail Group, the Figure Skate of Harlem, and 500 Role Models. Tweedy considers the new center at FIT "crucial" and "the future of our creative industries."
"This effort is near and dear to my heart because diversity has been conspicuously missing in the industry for way too long," said Tweedy.
- The newly launched Social Justice Center at FIT aims to boost social equity and opportunities in the creative industries for the BIPOC community.
- Major fashion companies like PVH Corp., Capri Holdings, Tapestry, G-III Apparel Group, Target, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Prada, Saks, The Fragrance Foundation, and more have pledged support for this initiative.
- FIT, a significant player in the apparel game, is investing in BIPOC youth to ensure they make informed career choices.
- FIT President Joyce Brown stated that the goal is to remove barriers for diverse students and amplify their value in various creative disciplines.
- The sudden push for change came after the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 and initiatives like Aurora James' Fifteen Percent Pledge, encouraging retailers to embrace true inclusivity.
- Stefan Larsson, CEO of PVH, believes the Social Justice Center's approach will help nurture BIPOC talent and erase existing career roadblocks.
- Renowned FIT alumnus Jeffrey Tweedy, who also works as a brand advisor for Sean John, has been tasked with building and expanding the center.
- Tweedy considers the center to be "crucial" and the "future of our creative industries," stating that diversity has been long-missing in the industry.
- The Social Justice Center at FIT will provide students with industry insights, concentrated guidance, and mentorship, paving the way for their personal growth and success in various creative fields, such as fashion, health, technology, business, education-and-self-development, and more.
