BDG’s Post

A week has passed since the first Monday in May, and the Met Gala has come and gone (fashionably late here, obvs). With so many pressing social issues at the forefront of our minds, it's worth considering whether there's still room for such a "bonfire of the vanities." Is it a genius PR stunt that delivers serious ROI? These are just a few of the questions posed in my latest blog entry. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/g4bYfcmj

#MerryChristmasEve to you all! As we tend to be more introspective this time of year, I thought it would be great to run back our “Happy #TransHoliday” episode from 2022. Joined by designer Mars Wright and tech journalist Ina Fried, we discussed the importance of expressing trans joy through fashion and the power of standing up for trans youth, especially in the social media landscape. https://lnkd.in/eq4fNd-9

If you read one thing today, please make it this raw and insightful opinion piece. It’s from Nyaluak Leth one of the initial 13 models boycotting Melbourne Fashion Week to put the broader fashion and advertising industry on notice. There are now dozens more who opted out MFW for the same reasons including Modest Fashion Runways. “What happens to us does not happen to white models. It’s impossible to imagine a white model being asked to shave her head because a hair stylist doesn’t know how to style their hair. The fact that this occurred shows that in the mind of many within the Australian fashion industry, white is still the default. The reality is that many designers draw inspiration from the creative contributions of Black and other diverse cultures. But outside their Fashion Week catwalks, there is little diversity to be found within the offices, staff, look books or campaigns. There needs to be genuine efforts from the outside and in to improve this. Employ Black models and pay them equally, yes, but also employ Black creative directors, stylists, photographers, campaign managers, hair and makeup artists. It’s time for the industry to turn the lens on itself. If you saw what we see, you would boycott too. Racism is far from glamorous.” The Sydney Morning Herald Australian Fashion Council (AFC) City of Melbourne Australian Fashion Labels (part of IFG) Fashion Journal Mumbrella Adweek Ragtrader Modest Fashion Runways bandt #fashion #modelling #equity #racism #inclusion #tokenism #mfw #fashion

Happy National Crown Day or Black Hair Independence Day! Since 2018, Dove and the Crown Act have given voice to the natural hair movement. There's a lot that has been done since that time but there's still more work to be done. I started the natural hair transition in 2017 and I am never going back. Rocking my natural hair and loving every bit of it! #crownlove #Dove #crownproud #passthecrown Thanks to the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. HQ for providing these resources: You can show the importance of National CROWN Day and hair freedom by sharing your personal hair story on social media using the Crown Day Toolkit (https://lnkd.in/gDGZVARf) and in the following ways: 1. Share images of your “CROWN” on social media using the hashtags #CROWNLove and #CROWNProud; use Dove's special CROWN Day photo filter link (https://lnkd.in/gBzwdTSg). 2. Include mention of @TheCROWNAct and @Dove, with key hashtags as provided, including #CROWNLove, #PasstheCROWN, and #CROWNProud. 3. Direct followers to TheCROWNAct.com and to Dove.com/CROWN to sign the petition (we have an updated goal of 1 million signatures). 4. Use the following hashtags freely and frequently: #CROWNLOVE #CROWNPROUD #PASSTHECROWN #DOVE

I'm buzzing over Gymshark’s latest drop, and yes, the timing with Black History Month feels intentional and impactful. They didn't just release a new moisture-wicking headband (hallelujah for sweat-free edges!), they addressed a real issue for Black women in fitness: protecting our hairstyles. 45% of Black women skip workouts to preserve their hair. This isn't a choice; it's the result of respectability politics, Eurocentric beauty standards, and misogynoir dictating what "acceptable" looks like (shoutout to the #PassTheCrownAct!). Gymshark's inclusive ad campaign and product launch go beyond just selling headbands. They're saying, "We see you, Black women, and we want you to be limitless athletes, too." As a consumer, that feels revolutionary. Now, the rest of the fitness industry, and other brands, take note! Black women deserve products that cater to our needs, and marketing that reflects our experiences. #representationmatters #gymshark #fitnessforall #blackwomenworkout #breakthebarriers #blackhistoryeverymonth #gymshark #marketingstrategy

Absolutely loved being Style Partners for the Elle Graduate Awards 2023! We curated looks for the trendsetters @dotandthesyllables, @moseskoul, @lisamishramusic, and @alifazal9. Here’s what they had to say about how they define their style! #ELLEMagazine #FashionAwards #FashionMagazine #IndianCelebrities"

Embracing Fashion for All: The rise of adaptive Clothing. Thank you Carina Birt for telling me about this Adaptive Fashion feature and the ground breaking work being done. Having recently connected with Funmi Lawal who is the founder of an adaptive clothing brand I am excited to see these changes coming to life. In a world where style knows no bounds, adaptive clothing emerges as a beacon of inclusion and empowerment. For individuals facing chronic disabilities, mobility issues, or confined to wheelchairs, traditional fashion often presents barriers rather than choices. But the tide is turning. Enter adaptive clothing - a revolution in high street fashion that caters to diverse needs and preferences. Front fastening, magnetic buttons, Velcro closures, and innovative designs offer not just style, but confidence and freedom to those who need it most. At Birmingham City University, one student's dissertation on adaptive fashion underscores a pivotal shift towards inclusivity. It's not just about garments; it's about dignity, expression, and breaking down barriers. Let's champion fashion for all - where everyone finds their perfect fit. #AdaptiveFashion #InclusiveStyle #FashionForAll #Empowerment #femalefounder #newwaysofworking #bbc #catwalk2024 #londonfashionweek #parisfashionweek #milanfashionweek

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🎃 Embracing Empowerment: Celebrating Creativity on Halloween In the realm of costumes and creativity, Halloween offers a powerful platform for women to express their strength, intelligence, and leadership in inspiring ways. It's a celebration of breaking free from conventional norms and stepping into roles that reflect the formidable forces we are. Choosing Characters of Impact: This Halloween, let's choose costumes that pay homage to the women who have shaped history, shattered glass ceilings, and paved the way for our dreams. From trailblazers like Frida Kahlo to space pioneers like Mae Jemison, every choice is a tribute to their enduring legacy. 🌈 Breaking Stereotypes, One Costume at a Time: This Halloween, let's challenge stereotypes and redefine what it means to be a woman. Whether it's donning a lab coat, a pilot's uniform, or a cape, every choice is a step towards a world where our potential is limitless and our aspirations boundless. Building Bonds of Strength: Halloween is a chance to come together as a community of empowered women. Through group costumes that celebrate unity, we reinforce the idea that we are stronger together, supporting and lifting each other up. Igniting the Imagination of Future Leaders: As we step into the shoes of our chosen characters, we become living, breathing examples of strength and possibility for the next generation. We inspire young minds to believe that they too can be anything they set their hearts on. This Halloween, let our creativity be a testament to the limitless potential of women. Let our costumes be a declaration of our strength, our intelligence, and our unwavering belief in the power of empowerment. Together, we illuminate the path for a future where every woman is celebrated for the incredible force she is. #EmpoweredCostumes #HalloweenInspiration #CreativityUnleashed #WomenEmpowermentJourney #halloween #halloween2023 #halloween2023

Couldn't help but reminisce on 90's era GAP's brand experiences after watching this clip spotlighted by Charell Star. The whole vibe in this clip works. I'm getting a melding of the best of GAP's campaigns; from LL Cool, to their deep embrace of Urban Culture, break and swing dance. Lovin' this whole moment. 90's soul. At a certain point in time you could reliably expect that GAP would have a level of representation that wasn't all that common for mainstream brands of its size (obviously the actual urban/Black and brown brands were leading the way in this area), they weren't perfect, and across the broader stream of time, it didn't seem to hold onto that, but for some moments it was setting a pattern worth paying attention to: https://lnkd.in/eQkWWham GAP goes swing dancing: https://lnkd.in/esKacs6u It was clear at various points in time they had an understanding of the power of of urban culture, and that most importantly, without the people who created the culture, you've got no soul, just aesthetics: https://lnkd.in/eQkWWham LL bringing FUBU to the masses using GAP as the vehicle. Single-handedly keeping the GAP brand relevant. I spoke on this from a brand and differentiation perspective back in 2020 during my presentation at Owner Summit NOLA, it's one of those moments for the books. I still remember the feelin' I got when I saw it air for the first time all those years ago: https://lnkd.in/eE2gC5WC Generation GAP https://lnkd.in/ekp-4Nhd #brandexperiences #brandimpact #advertisingcampaign #gap