Moda Operandi will launch its second curated trunk show with the Fifteen Percent Pledge, a nonprofit organization that calls on retailers and corporations to dedicate 15 percent of their purchasing power to Black-owned businesses, on Friday. While the first trunk show collaboration in March featured ready-to-wear, this one will highlight three fine jewelry designers and three home brands selected in partnership with Moda Operandi and the Fifteen Percent Pledge.
The trunk show aims to not only increase visibility for Black brands and designers, which have faced multiple barriers when trying to increase their recognition — with 67 percent reporting that they have faced microaggressions in their work — but also provide an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.
The fine jewelry brands are V.Bellan, A.M. Thorne and Dan-yell. The home brands are Keraclay, Porcelain Sneakerhead and Jomo Tariku.
“Our customer is perpetually looking for new brands and great product. This trunk show showcases just that from a number of exciting BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, people of color] businesses,” said Ryan Kleman, Moda Operandi’s accessories designer. Gabby Cadet, fashion office associate added, “We worked closely with the Fifteen Percent Pledge team to select brands and pieces that would resonate with our customer. From unique gemstones with individuality with A.M. Thorne, soft geometric forms with Dan-yell, and handcrafted classic cool with V.Bellan, we curated a jewelry selection with a story to tell. In Home, Jomo Tariku creates modern African-inspired furniture, Keraclay creates sustainable ceramics made from recycled clay, and Porcelain Sneakerhead brings a touch of whimsy and irony with her Instagram-famous ceramic sneaker.”
Porcelain Sneakerhead sneakers.
Courtesy of Moda Operandi
Aurora James, founder of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, said, “We are excited to be collaborating with Moda Operandi for our second trunk show together. We’ve curated an array of Black designers, ceramists and visual artists across the home and fine jewelry space that come from all corners — Ethiopia to Georgia, Botswana to Brooklyn.”
A mug from Keraclay.
Courtesy of Moda Operandi.
The trunk show launches for preorder on Friday with products shipping for delivery within four weeks to two months. Prices of the pieces range from $52 to $2,650. Five percent of the total trunk show proceeds will be donated to the Pledge. Ten percent of Moda Operandi’s brands across fashion, accessories, fine jewelry, home and beauty are Black-owned or helmed by Black designers with the goal to increase that number to 15 percent by the end of 2023.
Source: WWD