Deja Davis
Managing Editor
February was the start of the Gucci turtleneck frenzy that resembled blackface and the company was deeply involved in a controversy.
The issue was exposed worldwide labeling the company as prejudice as well as still receiving backlash from people still listing Gucci as one of many “cancelled” designer brands.
Immediately following the blackface incident, Harlem fashion designer, Dapper Dan addressed the issue directly with Gucci CEO, Marco Bizzari, in a private meeting.
The designer announced his launch of the Gucci Changemakers with Dapper Dan on Mon. Mar. 18 in hopes to help the brand remain in the game.
Changemakers is a global program that supports industry change and unity through community action.
The program includes three separate tiers— the Gucci Changemakers fund, a scholarship program, and a company-wide volunteering initiative.
All three programs are meant to foster racial diversity in both the company and the fashion industry as a whole.
“We will invest important resources to unify and strengthen our communities across North America, with a focus on programs that will impact youth and the African-American community,” Bizzarri said in a statement from the brand.
He continued, “I believe in the promise of the next generation, and through our scholarship fund we will also create more opportunities for talented young people of diverse backgrounds to gain access to careers in the fashion industry.”
Dapper Dan told his followers Sunday that Gucci would be making a “game-changing” announcement meant to expand opportunities for people of color within the fashion industry.
He stated, “What we are announcing tomorrow is game-changing for the industry at-large. After meeting with some of the industry’s leading black minds and others in fashion, business, and culture, we’ve helped Gucci come up with programs that will positively impact the Black community and fashion as a whole.”
“As a partner, I am proud to work with Gucci and other community leaders to help guide programs that will create meaningful impact for the Black community and fashion as a whole,” Dapper Dan said in a statement from Gucci.
“It is imperative that we have a seat at the table to say how we should be represented and reimagined. Through our work together, Gucci is in a position to lead the overall industry toward becoming a better more inclusive one.”
A day prior to Gucci’s announcement, he shared his excitement about Gucci’s new plan on Instagram.
“Black designers and fashion professionals will be given new opportunities through these new initiatives. It is imperative that we have opportunities to learn on a world-class level, and also have a seat at the table to say how we should be represented,” he wrote in a note. “Through our work together, Gucci is in a position to steer the overall industry toward becoming a better, more inclusive one. This does not end with Gucci, it begins with Gucci.”
The first sector of the program, The Gucci Changemakers fund will allocate $5 million toward non-profit programs across the United States.
The programs will also be selected by the Changemakers Council— which includes prominent men and women across fashion, entertainment and advocacy.
Some of the members include Will.i.am, Cleo Wade, Dapper Dan, Michaela Angela Davis, and more.
The second component to Gucci Changemakers is a scholarship program helping a more diverse talent pool of students pursue careers in fashion.
Each student selected will receive a $20,000 grant toward their education over the course of four years.
Lastly, the third component is a new volunteer initiative will allow Gucci’s 18 thousand employees across the globe to take up to four paid days off.
Employees can take this time to participate in volunteer work that addresses issues including equality, support for refugees and the homeless, protection of the environment and education.
Tiara Bell, a freshman biology pre-medicine major from Nashville, Tenn., thinks the initiative is necessary and heart-warming.
“Although it is not my major, I love fashion and I’m passionate about it so seeing something like this really warms my heart. It’s necessary…especially since it’s helping our people,” said Bell.
Trey Daniels, a junior finance major from Sacramento, Calif., believes money solves too many problems.
Daniels stated, “It’s the same cycle, a rich person does something racist or bad and finds a way to cover it up with money. I like that they’re turning a negative into a positive, but at some point people need to suffer more for their actions— even those with money.
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