In the midst of growing tensions and the performative dismantling of systems that have existed for decades, the phrase “black people’s champions” has been scattered around to make people seem to be fulfilling their role. In fact, the performative change caused by brands and the like, including addressing the crude practices and ideals that underpin the fashion industry, has not brought about real change – offering only black boxes and apologies.
As many admire the Met Gala with some of the best talent in various industries, black designers are often forgotten in the mix. The tables for the star event are acquired mainly by European brands and fashion houses, such as Christian Dior, Valentino and Prada. They then choose a talent to wear their clothes and sit at the appropriate table. The price for a table ranges from $ 200,000 to $ 300,000, which partly excludes emerging and independent black designers from the conversation.
Last night at the Met Gala, a British race car driver Lewis Hamilton took the phrase that had been so freely thrown into his hands over the last year. Hamilton bought his own table and invited three emerging black designers to join him, including Jason Rembert of Aliet, Edwin Thompson of Theophilio and Kenneth Nicholson of the brand of the same name.
Other young black talents joined Hamilton and the table designers, including celebrity stylist Low Roach, Sha’Carie Richardson and Alton Mason, who wore Teofilio to order, and Kellany, who wore Aliet. Hamilton himself wore an Italian black woolen jacket and trousers made to order by Kenneth Nicholson, combined with a white embroidered long-sleeved lace shirt and a side insert.
After the biggest night of fashion, Hamilton continued to brag about the designers and their work through his social media, noting: “These designers deserve this moment just as much as any other designer who attends the Met Gala. The goal is and always will be to open doors for young black artists. “Hamilton has sent a clear message that the fashion industry needs to invest in the talent it wants to see develop and lead, but if not, it is more than willing to give them a place at the table.