Just as I sat down to talk with Raise Fashion CEO Felita Harris , during the nonprofit organization’s New York Fashion Week event at the House of Sound, she politely excused herself to say goodbye to a group of individuals as they were leaving. “Emerging designers are doing this [showcase] for the artistry and creativity, yes, but also to sustain a business,” says Harris, as she joined me, once again. “So when I see someone from one of the participating retailers walk by I make it a point to thank them for being here.
They are a piece of the process.” It’s a small but meaningful gesture, which I instantly identified as a testament to how Harris, thoughtfully fosters her network—a key detail when working with new talent. This close attention to detail is just one of the things that separates Raise Fashion from other designer mentorship programs.
Since its inception in 2020, Harris and her team have been dedicated to advancing the equity of BIPOC fashion talent, using pro-bono advisory services, grant resources, and access to its inner circle of industry professionals. And what better way to get emerging designers into a room with editors, stylists, buyers, and other prominent people in fashion, than by hosting an experiential showcase and cocktail hour during New York Fashion Week, sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch. “We are proud to be supporters of Raise Fashion and this incredible [event], celebrating Black Talent, including our very own Abercrombie designers that conceptualized and designed our recurring Volume 28 Collection , designed to amplify Black Voices and culture beyond Black History month,” said Carey Collins Krug, Chief Marketing Officer at Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Each of the five levels at the showcase’s picture-perfect venue housed a handful of designers on the RAISE roster who presented their Spring 2025 collection, while canapés were being passed around and industry luminaries such as Saks Fifth Avenue Men's Senior Fashion Manager, Reginald Christian , scouted out the talent. There were a host of familiar faces like Wilglory Tanjong , the visionary behind Beyonce-approved handbag brand Anima Iris , as well as CISE founder Blake Van Putten , who is best known for his “Protect Black Women” totes that went viral back in 2020. Both have accrued a cult following on social media but call what they’ve learned from Harris and the Raise team “invaluable.
” Kendall Reynolds , of luxury footwear brand Kendall Miles , had similar feedback about working with Raise. The designer tells Vogue that by being placed in a mentorship with the president of Jimmy Choo North Americas, Jamie Wynn, she was inspired to add more wearable options to her collection of five-inch, fur-trimmed stilettos. “The majority of Jimmy Choo’s business thrives off a shorter, 60mm heel height, and [Wynn] advised me to diversify my offering to include comfortable styles that would appeal to the New York customer,” says Reynolds.
For Burkino Faso born jewelry designer Burkindy (which translates to “integrity” in his native language) and his eponymous label, the biggest obstacle has been introducing his pieces, which he describes as reflection of his West African heritage, to new markets in a meaningful way. Mojisola Adegbile, co-founder of lingerie-inspired ready-to-wear label, Torlowei , furthered these sentiments, as someone of Nigerian descent living in the UK. “It’s one thing to make a connection, but it’s another thing to be very intent to ensure the relationship is fruitful and that’s a big obstacle that fashion brands have,” she says.
“Today has been so impactful and everyone we’ve met has been worth meeting and the conversations have been so earnest.” Other brands in attendance included Fe Noel , K.NGLSEY , Danzy , Nalebe , and newcomer Tara Matthews , who focuses on hand-embellished swimwear.
In total, there were 24 fashion designers on site, along with four artists. And after speaking with most of them over the course of two hours, they all concluded that no matter the task, or how big the goal, Raise Fashion and Harris, will do everything in its power to make it happen..
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