Many know multi-hyphenate Aurora James as the founder of her shoe and accessories label Brother Vellies, which aims to preserve African design practices while providing work opportunities for local artisans. Others might remember her as the fresh-faced awardee of the 2015 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. But it was her noble pursuit to transform the fashion industry through the Fifteen Percent Pledge that captured the world. “There have been people who’ve been making amazing things for a long time, who’ve been historically excluded from commercial participation,” said James. “I love fashion, and I want to hold the bar high. And I think that this industry has a tremendous ability to influence other industries as well.”
In more ways than one, James has transcended the conventional role of fashion designers as mere artists, defining an era in fashion that propelled the industry beyond aesthetics and positioning it as a force of inclusivity.
Her creative wellspring is rooted in the connection she cultivates with her surroundings, both by nature and everyday life. “My moodboard is like this plant that’s behind me, or different shells from the beach. Grasses, orchids, birds, and just nature in general. That, and the artisans I’ve come across from all over the world, are my source of inspiration.” She mirrors the liveliness of her surroundings in her personal style, embracing a sense of vibrancy that is uniquely her own. And when it comes to daily workwear, James eschews from conventional dressing, embracing a style that ventures beyond the boundaries of tradition.
Following the launch of the Fifteen Percent Pledge, James found herself thrust into the press spotlight, with the expectation for her to conform to traditional workwear by wearing a blazer. “At first, I was like, why? You can’t take me seriously in this pink hat? I’m just as smart in Marni as I am and in some blazer.” Since then, James has set her sights on a new project. “I want to redefine what professional dressing is for women. Redefine what it means to be professional, what it means to be a working woman, and what it means to be taken seriously. That is my next goal.”
Make a statement—anytime, anywhere.
For all the latest fasion News Click Here
