Via Black Carpet Awards Instagram
Milan Fashion Week doesn’t have the best reputation for diversity and inclusion. Designer Stella Jean has been vocal about the issue, writing an open letter to Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, vowing not to return until diversity improves. (Jean was also set to return this year and backed out again over the same concerns.)
The Afro Fashion Association aims to address the same issues through a different approach. This year the group presented the first-ever Black Carpet Awards, honoring ten people including entrepreneurs, producers, musicians, authors and creatives of all kinds. Five honorees were selected by the public with the other five hand selected by a panel of twenty-seven professionals from various backgrounds.
Black Carpet Awards describes their mission as follows:
During the MFWFebruary 2023, the Afro Fashion Association will host the first edition of the BLACK CARPET AWARDS, a gala event where Diversity and Inclusion are celebrated within the global community. This annual event is designed to celebrate the achievements of the unheard voices within society, and unite the champions of Diversity and Inclusion in Fashion, Design, Art, Food, Music, Technology, Business, Sport and Cinema.
The Black Carpet Awards will bring Industry professionals and people across different social backgrounds—including nearly 400 guests—together, in in-person. The event will be used to raise awareness and empower all the unseen and unheard voices within society. A celebration to really move forward the conversation about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
From all accounts the event was a major success with big names like Edward Enninful, Anna Wintour and TikTok influencer Khaby Lame in attendance. It’s also worth mentioning that the event is about more than just the Black community and "black" also represents a sum of all colors and the enrichment that comes with amplifying voices across industries.
Head over to the Black Carpet Awards Instagram to get familiar with the annual event and what to expect at the 2024 edition.