aurora james
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Vogue Enlists Black Artists Kerry James Marshall and Jordan Casteel to Paint History-Making September Covers
2020 has been the most dizzying year in recent memory, upending much and not enough of our sense of our security, place, and hope in the future. This disorientation is so pervasive that even the September issues of fashion magazines—which typically serve as paper bastions of luxury, privilege and aspiration—have redirected to reflect the shifting…
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As Fashion and Beauty Leaders Scramble on Race Issues, Black Insiders Organize to Demand an Industry Makeover
“Image architect” Law Roach is one of the most successful talents working behind the scenes of the fashion and entertainment industries—crafting the memorable red carpet looks of stars like Zendaya and Celine Dion when he’s not throwing out biting one-liners as a judge on shows like America’s Next Top Model and HBO Max’s Legendary. Now,…
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Thanks to Aurora James, Sephora Just Pledged 15 Percent of Its Shelf Space to Black-Owned Brands
Here’s to black boxes that aren’t performative: beauty emporium Sephora has become the first to accept the #15PercentPledge proposed by designer Aurora James (Brother Vellies), committing to devote 15 percent of its shelf space to black-owned products. “What a difference a week makes,” James wrote on Instagram. “A little over a week ago, I wrote…
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What's the #15PercentPledge? A Way for Major Retailers to Prove They Really Care About Black Lives
Aurora James has a plan. As well-meaning citizens and brands alike ask what they can do to support black lives, the black female founder of luxury footwear and accessories brand Brother Vellies has issued a challenge to major retailers—including Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora, Net a Porter, Barnes and Noble, Home Depot…
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The 2019 CFDA Award Nominees Have Been Announced—and Man, We Need to Support Black Women Designers
“Every Nigga Is a Star” read Issa Rae’s sash as she posed on the red carpet in her role as host of the 2018 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards (CFDAs)—the first black woman in the event’s history to be honored with a hosting slot (by some reports, the first person of color ever).…
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Pass the Bubbly! Virgil Abloh Puts His Stamp on Yet Another Iconic Brand
We thought rosé season wouldn’t come around again until next spring, but leave it to Virgil Abloh to switch it up on us. Proving that everything is more chic with his personal touch—including Jimmy Choos, Louis Vuitton, Nikes, the world’s most famous tennis star, Serena Williams and Ikea—Abloh has now gotten into the champagne game, designing…
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We’re Rooting for Everybody Black: Who Will Win on Fashion’s Biggest Night?
On Monday, fashion’s best and brightest will gather at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City to celebrate the 37th annual Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards. Dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion,” the CFDAs are the highest honors awarded in the American fashion industry, recognizing outstanding achievements in design, journalism, personal style and positive…
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#BNYFW: Aurora James and the Brotherhood of Shoes
Aurora James is one the most exciting new accessories designers on the international fashion scene. She’s got an understated cool about her that she’s managed to translate into Brother Vellies, a top luxury brand with a global mission to do good—specifically, good for the people of Africa, where her shoes are handmade by artisans in…