Despite being leaders in many fashion trends, Black fashion designers continue to face underfunding and underrepresentation in the industry. Former fashion editor, author, and television host Elaine Welteroth is working to elevate Black talent with support from McDonald’s.
McDonald’s long standing campaign, Black & Positively Golden (B&PG), recently launched “Change of Fashion,” a program designed to support emerging Black fashion designers through mentorship, resources, and financial assistance. The initiative pairs five emerging Black designers with five Black industry experts for a year-long mentorship.
“As a Black woman navigating the fashion industry, I understand the challenges Black designers face in breaking through and sustaining profitable businesses,” Welteroth said in a statement. “Partnering with a global brand like McDonald’s, I am honored to use my experiences as a fashion editor to mentor the next generation of designers and help foster more inclusivity in an industry that thrives on Black culture.”
A total of $200,000 will be granted to the designers to help advance their careers.
“For decades, McDonald’s has used its size and scale to invest in and support the diverse communities we serve,” said Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at McDonald’s. “The Change of Fashion program builds on that legacy, pushing new boundaries to inspire real change, not only for our five designers but for the fashion industry at large.”
The program’s participating designers are Durrell Dupard of Freddie Estell, Shareef Mosby, VICTIM15, Larissa Muehleder of Muehleder, Heart Roberts of HEARTHROB, and Nia Thomas of Nia Thomas.
