BLACK FASHION FORWARD—OUR INAUGURAL FASHION SYMPOSIUM BRINGING
TOGETHER THE BEST OF BLACK FASHION, STYLE AND CULTURE.
Through panels, keynotes, and curated experiences, we spotlight the
voices shaping fashion’s future. Black Fashion Forward aims to inspire and empower participants,
fostering a supportive community committed to pushing the boundaries of
fashion and ensuring a more inclusive industry. Black Fashion Forward
is a space for dialogue, discovery, and community.
JOIN US FOR A FRONT ROW LOOK INTO THE FUTURE OF FASHION.
VIP Entry
Priority entry to all programming and
brand activations
Reserved front row seating
Priority access to lounge with
complimentary refreshments and VIP
bar (Must be 21+ drink)
Priority Entry to closing reception
VIP-only gift bag featuring a copy of
How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on
Confidence from the World’s Only
Image Architect by Law Roach
$50 Black Fashion Fair Curated Shop
Gift Card
VIP ADMISSION: $250
VIP Early Bird: $235
Access to all panels and
programming and brand activations
Access to lounge with complimentary
refreshments and open bar
(Must be 21+ to drink)
Entry to closing reception
Standard attendee gift bag
$25 Black Fashion Fair Curated Shop
Gift Card
STUDENT ADMISSION: $135
Current students with valid ID
Access to all panels and
programming and brand activations
Access to lounge with complimentary
refreshments and open bar (Must be
21+ to drink)
Entry to closing reception
Standard attendee gift bag
GENERAL ADMISSION: $165
General Admission Early Bird: $145
05.10.2025
TIMES CENTER
242 W 41ST ST NEW YORK, NY
SPEAKERS
AB + DM
FISAYO LONGE
SKYLAR MARSHAI
JOEFRESHGOODS
AB + DM FISAYO LONGE SKYLAR MARSHAI JOEFRESHGOODS
ANNOUNCING SOON
ANNOUNCING SOON
MODERATORS
ANNOUNCING SOON
ANNOUNCING SOON
JOIN US FOR A FRONT ROW LOOK INTO THE FUTURE OF FASHION
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Image Makers: Fashioning Blackness Through Editorial
A conversation tracing the cultural, political,
and artistic legacy of Black hair and beauty.
From ancestral practices to modern
innovation, this panel explores how Black
creatives have continuously redefined beauty
standards—transforming the industry while
celebrating identity, resistance, and self-
expression.
4:10 PM – 4:40 PM
Influencing Fashion: The Power of Storytelling
A deep dive into how storytelling—whether
through design, visuals, or branding—can
define a fashion label’s cultural impact. This
panel spotlights Black creatives using
narrative as a tool for connection, meaning-
making, and reshaping fashion’s visual
language from the inside out.
4:45 PM – 5:15 PM
Fashion as a Cultural Force
This panel explores how fashion functions as
more than just clothing—it’s a living, breathing
form of cultural expression and protest.
Centering the voices of Black designers and
creatives, the discussion will unpack how
fashion communicates heritage, influences
politics, and shapes the cultural landscape
both locally and globally.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
From Chicago to the World: The Cultural Currency of JoeFreshgoods
7:10 PM – 7:40 PM
Building The Bag with Brandon Blackwood
Doors Open & Guest Check-In
SCHEDULE
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
This panel brings together the visionary Black
stylists, photographers, editors, and creative
directors who are redefining how Blackness is
represented in fashion media. Together, they’ll
discuss the power of editorial imagery in
shaping cultural narratives, challenging
industry norms, and building a more
expansive, nuanced visual language for Black
identity and style.
The Evolution of Black Hair & Beauty
3:35 PM – 4:05 PM
Intermission
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
A one-of-one conversation with
JoeFreshgoods on how he turned a
hyperlocal vision into a globally resonant
brand. Grounded in community, storytelling,
and cultural authenticity, Joe reflects on
building cultural capital through
collaboration, creativity, and
unapologetically representing Chicago.
This panel celebrates the Black women
designers who are taking power into their own
hands and reshaping what leadership and
influence look like in fashion. With bold vision
and fearless creativity, they are not just
designing garments—they are building
movements, businesses, and new ways
forward for the industry.
Designing women: Redefining Power in Fashion
6:35 PM – 7:05 PM
In this intimate conversation, Brandon
Blackwood shares his journey in building the
bag—both literally and figuratively. From
launching statement-making accessories to
scaling a globally recognized brand, we’ll
explore the pivotal moments that shaped his
business and the decisions that fueled its
growth. The conversation will cover everything
from product innovation and brand
differentiation to strategic expansion and
what’s next on the horizon—all while navigating
the pressures and opportunities of the luxury
fashion space.
Closing Reception
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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Don’t miss out—subscribe now to join us in reshaping Black fashion; past,
present, and future.