Happy Monday!
Over the weekend, I was invited by my homegirl Margaret to Aurora James’s 15 Percent Pledge Inaugural Gala:
The 15 Percent Pledge is a non profit organization created by Aurora James that encourages retailers to pledge at least 15 percent of their shelf-space to Black-owned businesses. They held their inaugural gala on April 2nd at the New York Public Library with a dress code that called for Black Tie by Black Designers. Of course I represented for the home team wearing an Oyemwen Tuxedo, a Bruce Glen Collection Bag, and Cult of Coquette Heels, all from FashionBombDailyShop.com!
The evening was chock full of black excellence in fashion, from the majestic venue to the delicious cocktails and dinner.
For the night, Aurora underscored the need for black entrepreneurs to be supported with capital, and presented a stunning statistic that only 1.3% of venture capital funding went to Black entrepreneurs and black founded businesses in 2021. James is just one of the many soldiers we have on the ground, fighting for diversity, equality, and inclusion. It starts with supporting black designers with dollars.
Take a look at who came through:
My new homegirl Kristen Noel Crawley looked super fly in Dapper Dan x Gucci.
Bethann Hardison wore a look by Oak and Acorn.
Nicole Ari Parker and I grabbed a selfie. She wore Laquan Smith.
Antoine Phillips from Gucci wore a sweater made by a Gucci Changemaker, Advisry by Yung Roof Top. My friend Margaret wore a dress by Hanifa.
I grabbed a picture with Iman, who wore one of my favorites, Sergio Hudson.
Jerome Lamaar is one of my favorites. He wore a look of his design, along with Celine shades.
It was all love with this group! Pictured: Sharifa Murdock of Liberty Fairs in Christopher John Rogers, Fe Noel, and Abrima Erwiah and Rosario Dawson in Studio One Eighty Nine.
And nothing could top this epic shot, featuring some designers and influencers you should know: Brandon Blackwood (epic handbag designer), Rajni Jacques of Snapchat wearing Hanifa, Theophilio wearing his brand, Fe Noel, Oak and Acorn, Dapper Dan, and more.
It was an amazing night, all for a wonderful cause.
Anything that promotes diversity, I’m here for it!
Stay tuned for more from the 15 Percent Pledge on Instagram.com/15percentpledge, and shop black designers and emerging designers for all occasions at FashionBombDailyShop.com.
Love & Light,
*Random observations: Many people were wearing the same dresses because of the lack of options available on Net a Porter, Saks, and more. My friend Margaret was seated at a table with a woman who was wearing her exact same Hanifa dress.
It was the same case for Christopher John Rogers. Many people I spoke to weren’t even aware that Fashion Bomb Daily had a shop! But it’s up to me, now, to make sure to spread the word and also have some items available for same day or next day shipping so that we can serve even more people and help them look fabulous while wearing designers of color! Stay tuned.
