By D. Thompson
Kate Spade New York senior executives met with over 40 students from BSU’s Fine and Performing Arts Department on Sunday evening, Nov. 13 at the National Harbor store for a panel discussion on fashion design, mental health and the partnership the university has with Tapestry, the parent company of the luxury handbag and wallet designer.
Earlier this semester, Kate Spade executives began leading webinars in fashion design and other topics as part of a collaboration the university has established with Tapestry and Harlem Fashion Row (HFR).
Kate Spade executives participated in weekly webinars with students from Sept. 27 through Nov. 8 covering a myriad of topics ranging from how to use leather, to concept design, color, licensing, marketing, customer service and other areas important to developing careers within the fashion industry. Professor Danielle Brown, assistant professor of fashion design at Bowie State says students received information and guidance that most people are not exposed to until they are working full time in the business.
“This was a once in a lifetime, priceless opportunity,” said Professor Brown. “These type of things did not happen when I was studying fashion. For students to have this amount of exposure inside of a company is truly magical. Tapestry and Harlem Fashion Row are really putting forth a true effort to bridge the gap between our black and brown students and the fashion industry,” she said.
Harlem Fashion Row, the premier agency creating a bridge between major fashion brands and designers of color, brought the opportunity with Tapestry to Bowie State through its HBCU Summit program. The initiative is designed to take art and fashion programs at HBCUs to the next level. Bowie State students who attended the weekend event were very enthusiastic about the time they spent with members of Kate Spade’s management team.
“I felt the executives who attended Sunday’s event genuinely cared because they closed the store to meet with us and listened intently to our questions,” said Jasmyne Crawford, a senior fashion design major. “One of the most important issues we discussed dealt with mental wellness and understanding when you’re overworked and need to take a break. They were very deliberate in telling everyone to ask for help when you need help, particularly in the highly competitive fashion industry.”
Kate Spade executives who participated in the discussion included Herman Johnson, regional director; Emily Spencer, vice president of outlet stores; Maria Coles, store leader for field teams; and Alfreda Nwosu, a Tapestry talent recruiter.
“The Kate Spade executives were very engaging Sunday evening and helpful by discussing opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships for BSU students,” said senior Jocelyn Parker. “I served as the student moderator during the Tapestry Talks webinars each week and always felt welcome when I spoke with the management teams from Harlem Fashion Row and Kate Spade.”
Tapestry is the American multinational holding company for Coach New York that specializes in leather goods such as handbags, luggage, and other accessories; Kate Spade New York which designs elegant handbags and wallets, and Stuart Weitzman which designs shoes and boots considered the ultimate in sophisticated women’s footwear.
