Since 2019, Gap has partnered with HFR with a shared commitment to amplifying the work of designers of color in the fashion industry. As one of the largest specialty retailers in the world, Gap believes it has a responsibility to lead the industry and create opportunities for professionals of color by raising voices that were previously overlooked, Gap said in a press release.
US’ Gap continued Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR)’s longstanding support as a sponsor at the recently held 15th annual HFR Fashion & Style Awards. Legendary fashion figures, Gap is honored to once again witness these incredible collections and welcome the next generation of stellar Black and Latinx designers.
Gap recently announced the Close the Gap initiative – a fellowship program established between Gap Create’s designers with Audacity (CWA) and ICON360, a nonprofit subsidiary of HFR, to increase Enhance educational opportunities for the next generation of Black fashion leaders by providing financial awards to the fashion departments at Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs).
This fall, Gap will announce the second round of its Close the Gap award-winning program, alongside the opening of its first CWA Design Apprenticeship. The one-year Design Apprenticeship program aims to attract, develop, inspire and retain highly capable diverse creative talent who have the potential to become future industry leaders. . Design Students are partnered with creative mentors from across Gap’s portfolio of powerful brands. The mentor and apprentice relationship is one that fosters shared learning, as well as inspiring and creative experiences – with each apprentice building skills throughout the lifecycle. out product. Through their commitment to ICON360, more than half of the apprentices are recent graduates from HBCUs awarded Closing the Gap.
Fiber2 fashion news desk (GK)
