Aurora James is a designer with purpose. The Brooklyn-based entrepreneur is changing the game and challenging the system in a bid to eliminate exclusion in the fashion industry. Taking what she has learnt in her own successful business to the business world at large, James’ initiative has them talking and causing the fashion world to look anew at how inclusion and diversity are brought into the equation.
1. “Designer Aurora James on a Mission to Tackle Exclusion”
Designer Aurora James has vowed to use her platform to combat diversity issues within the fashion industry. As part of her project, she is making sure that 15 percent of her brand’s inventory is comprised of Black-owned brands. She has also committed to being an ally to people from all walks of life.
James hopes that her mission will ensure inclusion in the fashion process and create a more representative window into today’s modern society. Her initiative does not end with her product selection, however; James is determined to truly uphold a sense of inclusivity within the industry. She is currently focusing her efforts on the following:
- Intersectional Diversity: James is actively seeking to collaborate with diverse entrepreneurs and creative professionals who come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
- Accessible Design: James is creating products that are accessible to all, with a special emphasis on disabled customers.
- Fair Pay and Benefits: The designer is committed to providing her employees with competitive salaries and benefits, and is actively working to reduce disparities in wages, if any exist.
James’ admirable mission challenges traditional conventions within the industry and has already influenced a number of businesses and organizations to join her cause. Her efforts serve as an example of what we can achieve when we prioritise diversity and inclusion.
2. “The Designer Aims to Try Rewriting the Narrative of Inclusion”
As designers, our job is to ensure the stories we tell are always accessible and inclusive. Rewriting the narrative of inclusion offers us an opportunity to think about this challenge differently, and create narrative and visual worlds that are more in line with the everyday realities of minority and marginalized communities.
The challenge then becomes to go beyond traditional forms of representation and start with building new identities, techniques and structures. To that end, here are a few ways of rethinking inclusion through design:
- Find new visual language to represent people in diverse communities.
- Cultivate collaboration with members of those communities to create work that is meaningful and representative.
- Create a platform for stories that haven’t been heard before.
- Focus on building relationships and designing systems that empower people.
To cultivate a more inclusive and equitable design practice, the designer should fundamentally comprehend the impact of their work on the perception and lives of people in diverse communities. It is only through taking these realities into account that we can make the attempt to rewrite the narrative of inclusion. Only then can we ensure our stories are meaningful and impactful.
3. “Aurora James’ Brand is Supporting Black-Owned Businesses”
Fashion designer Aurora James has taken her career to a new level by introducing her 15% Pledge. A cause inspired by the 15% commitment to diversity in corporate America, the pledge commits major brands to supporting Black-owned businesses. What started as initiatives to support Black-owned businesses in several countries, has become a powerful way to bring a much-needed change in the retail space.
The 15% Pledge lines up with the ideals of the Black Lives Matter movement and helps bridge the gap between many large retailers and smaller Black-owned businesses. By offering these brands a platform for visibility, Aurora James is bringing the disparity of power between own-and-operated and big companies into focus and providing a much needed shift. To date, over 30 retailers have signed the pledge, including Sephora, West Elm, Urban Outfitters, Shopbop, and Moda Operandi.
- Aurora James’ 15% Pledgeallows major retailers to support Black-owned businesses
- The pledge is helping bridge the gap between many large retailers and smaller Black-owned businesses
- Over 30 retailers have signed the pledge, including Sephora, West Elm, Urban Outfitters, Shopbop, and Moda Operandi
4. “90.5 WESA Talks to the Designer About Inclusion, Business, and Success
From Education, to Advancement
For Angela Johnson, her journey to success began with education. Angela credits her experience in college for giving her the insight and skillset to propel her into a career in the fashion industry. After graduating college with a degree in fashion design, she went on to create a clothing line for Plus Size and Inclusive fashion. According to Angela, being able to create something for a vast majority of people was her biggest motivating factor.
Smash Stigmas, Create Acceptance
Recognizing the on-going social stigmas associated to plus size fashion, Angela set out to create a clothing line that didn’t connote with negative stigma, but instead embraced body positivity and acceptance of all body types. Her clothing line provides access to fashionable clothing items for all sizes. She proudly effuses that the reaction and acceptance of her clothing line has been stupendous, and she has become a strong advocate for body positivity.
Additionally, Angela is currently creating a platform wherein, she seeks to raise awareness and provide resources for aspiring designers interested in fashion and the clothing industry.
Aurora James has proven that with hard work, dedication, and a splash of style, amazing things can be achieved. Her mission to raise awareness of exclusion in the fashion industry and find innovative solutions is one that will continue to gain momentum and effect real change. The Aurora effect continues and will hopefully create a more inclusive fashion industry for all.
