Italian fashion house Prada has teamed up with Dorchester Industries to embark on a three-year program aimed at empowering and promoting Black artists. The collaboration seeks to unearth exceptional talent while also fostering connections among creative enterprises across the globe. The Dorchester Industries Experimental Design Lab, situated in the South Side of Chicago, will serve as the primary hub for this project.
Building on the concept behind Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize, which is supported by Chanel, this program presents artists of color with an opportunity to compete for prestigious accolades. These include the Experimental Design Lab and Experimental Design Awards, which not only offer financial backing for their projects but also provide creative prospects and mentorship. Furthermore, Prada will bestow an artist with a grant each year, enabling them to develop a capsule collection.
In addition to its goal of discovering and promoting talent, this three-year initiative aims to foster an exchange of skills and knowledge, fostering a robust international network. The inaugural recipients of the program will be selected and announced in October. The founder of Dorchester Industries and Rebuild Foundation, Theaster Gates, expresses his enthusiasm about partnering with the Prada Group to establish a new epicenter for design energy in the South Side. He emphasizes the importance of elevating the work of emerging designers of color and connecting them with influential companies that value diverse talent.
This initiative transcends the realm of fashion and brings together various sectors within the artistic industry, including art, interior design, industrial design, and graphic design.
This partnership reflects Prada’s commitment to inclusivity, following a backlash over a blackface controversy in 2018. In February 2019, the brand established an independent advisory council on diversity and inclusion, co-chaired by Theaster Gates and Ava DuVernay. The council functions as an advisory body within the company.
In an effort to support underrepresented communities in the arts, Prada launched several initiatives in May of this year. These include paid internships for individuals from diverse backgrounds, scholarships, and an educational module for women artist activists, developed in collaboration with specialized organizations. These endeavors exemplify Prada’s dedication to empowering and uplifting marginalized communities within the artistic arena.
Useful Links:
Prada’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Rebuild Foundation’s Website
