top of page
Degrees Of Change
A celebration of the journey of HBCUs with each look being inspired by a different stage of that journey.
Look 1
Look 1
Look 1
Look 1
1/4
Look 1: The Foundation
This menswear look is inspired by the start of the journey when HBCUs were originally founded and the quest for higher learning by Black people in the United States who were excluded from attending white universities. Twill fabric and professional pleating that creates a reference to the spines of books on the shoulders of the trench coat are used to create this look. The extra-long trench coat is a nod to the late great Andre Talley who received his undergraduate degree from an HBCU.
Look 2
Look 2
Look 2
Look 2
1/3
Look 2: Separate But unEqual
The Separate But unEqual look is inspired by that part of the journey which has been marked by the quest for funding and opportunities truly equal to its counterparts. The blouse is made of fabrics woven together to create a pattern analogous to how HBCUs have had to be creative in taking different small parts to make a whole in every aspect of their existence. A luxurious leather is set in contrast to the wool by material and by its use in the look.
Look 3
Look 3
Look 3
Look 3
1/4
It marks the quest of the HBCU student to freely be who they are and not who society thinks or wants them to be. The harness which is well known for bridling is actually symbolic of how HBCUs serve as the protectors of their students in letting them be who they want to be while the flowy flirty bottom signifies the more traditional silhouette expressing freedom as well in the color green which symbolizes new beginnings and new growth.
Look 3: Free To Be Me
Marching is inspired by the quest for change both on and off the campus of HBCUs. The term social activism is practically synonymous with HBCUs which have inevitably been involved with the most prominent marches that have affected change in our nation’s history over the years. In addition, the significance of marching to HBCUs is also prevalent in the tremendous component of the HBCU experience – the marching band - and this look combines references from both.
Look 4
Look 4
Look 4
Look 4
1/4
Look 4: Marching
Look 5
Look 5
Look 5
Look 5
1/5
Look 5: The Elevation
This look marks the quest for respect and recognition in the both the world of academia and in the professional world as well. The neckline of the gown is inspired by the view of the top of a mortarboard, standard issue of academic regalia. The luxurious look serves as a reminder quite literally of the identify of our HBCUs in that they are all listed on the fabric of the gown but also as a reminder that HBCUs are not just rising as depicted in the popular PBS documentary, but they have in fact risen.
1/4
bottom of page