THE FASHION "OH SO WHITE" INDUSTRY
Racism in the Fashion industry is a topic that is still not fully addressed despite society’s recent awakening that Systemic Racism does exist. Privileged and white voices are concurrently and historically prioritized in fashion keeping Black creatives consistently out of fashion’s top positions. Because of this, offensive campaigns, cultural appropriation and the blatant disregard towards Blacks and People of Colour continue despite the industry’s anti-racist pledges.
We will discuss these challenges and look at what solutions and steps are needed to make sure changes are made in every aspect of the industry.
Moderator
Catherine Addai: SheEO/Founder and Creative Director · Kaela Kay
Taking her personal style, her Ghanaian roots and her passion for fashion all the while maintaining a corporate job, Catherine Addai started KAELA KAY in January of 2012. ‘Kaela-Kay Collections’ was born out of years of providing personal sewing services to a wide range of clients to great reception. It is a reflection of my personal style, my future style aspirations, and what I see classy women aspiring to wear. It has no color and recognizes that all women are beautiful. It’s all about how you want to express yourself through your clothes.
Panelists
Ann-Marie Mystique Daniel-Barker: Celebrity Fashion Stylist Founder and President of The Black Fashion & Beauty Gala Awards
Ann-Marie Mystique Daniel-Barker has spent over 20 years in the fashion industry, working as a Celebrity Fashion Stylist and Image Consultant in Canada and the U.S.A. She is also the Founder & President of The Black Fashion & Beauty Gala Awards. She has appeared on various talk shows, radio and television shows such as ET Canada and Entertainment Tonight, hosting the 2007 Oscar Awards Red Carpet fashion dos and don'ts, and the 2018 African Fashion Week. Along with her body of styling, image & branding work, her achievements have made her a force in the industry.
Natasha Patten: Fashion Designer and Creative Director
Creative Director Natasha Patten brings over 15 years of custom clothing experience and signature style of clean lines and sleek fit to mycoatisblue™. She finds her design inspiration through her love of modern architecture, integrating shapes and angles to create her signature style.Natasha has been featured in FASHION Magazine, Addicted Magazine, Occhi Magazine, and featured on CTV's The Social, Flare, Chatelaine, and Slice, among others. Her coats have been seen on the likes of Kardinal Offishall, Marcia Ien and Celina Caesar-Chavannes.
Yves Ulysses: Creative Director and Fashion Event Producer
Yves Ulysse, the founder of M3 Mode Masculine Montreal is recognized as an assiduous contributor to the North American Fashion community. The self-described autodidact, draws his inspiration from his cultural travels to produce one of the largest national fashion events, showcasing upcoming and established designers. In 2015, he founded CloseAccess TV to showcase Montreal Lifestyle, Fashion and Arts, which garnered momentum to one of the most viewed web series in Montreal. Six years later, he wears the title of Founder of M3, an event concept that is slowly growing and expanding internationally.
Rhowan James: Fashion Designer
Rhowan James, a Toronto native-born, started creating his own designs that reflected his own personal interests. Inspired by various trips taken abroad, he soon envisioned his own menswear brand. In 2018, Rhowan won Toronto Men’s Fashion Week (*TOM) Emerging Menswear Designer Award. This was the launching pad that launched him as a legitimate fashion designer nationally and internationally.
Kate Pierre: Fashion Designer, Developer and Writer
With 20 years of fashion industry experience, an ever-present fascination for identity, self-expression and the psychology behind fashion, alongside her core values of honesty, integrity, creativity and representation firmly ensconced in her brand, Kate Pierre is the business owner, designer and blog writer behind KATE&FRANCES DESIGN.
