In this week’s bonus episode of Fashion Our Future, our New York correspondent Galia Loupan meets up with the Toronto-native and New York City-transplant fashion designer, activist and founder of Brother Vellies, Aurora James.

Founded in 2013 with the goal of keeping traditional African design practices and techniques alive, while also creating and sustaining artisanal jobs, Brother Vellies is worn regularly by dedicated followers including Beyonce, Meghan Markle, Zendaya, Rihanna, Serena Williams, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. Her background in fashion, journalism, art, photography, and horticulture joins a forever-passion for artisanship, design, and humanitarianism.

Aurora James also founded in June 2020 The Fifteen Percent Pledge, an initiative that urges retail giants to commit 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses by creating clear business strategies and attainable goals. Within the first year, over 2 dozen major corporations dedicated to The Fifteen Percent Pledge, effectively diverting over $5B in capital to Black entrepreneurs in the United States.

This bonus episode was recorded during the “Fashion our Future” event held on the 60th floor of the Manhatta restaurant in NYC, on March 16.

Fashion our Future is a podcast hosted by Laurianne Melierre, brought to you by Kering and produced by Kikina Studio. Check out the website to know more :

https://www.kering.com/en/sustainability/

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Production: Kikina Studio

Host: Laurianne Melierre

Writer: Laetitia Berthier

Illustration: Kikina Studio

Music: Kikina Studio

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