CFDA ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC CHANGES

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has announced several strategic moves to expand the organization’s development of new programming to create opportunities for Black talent in fashion.

“In June, we outlined specific initiatives with the goal of bringing an end to racial injustice in the fashion industry,” said Tom Ford, chairman of the CFDA Board of Directors. “The organization has put in place a structure to execute this strategy and we are firmly committed to creating systematic change in our industry that will empower the critical voices that need to be heard.”

The CFDA has created a separate Black advisory board responsible for all its efforts on inclusivity, diversity, and equality. The new structure is led by CaSandra Diggs, who was recently named president of the CFDA reporting to CFDA CEO Steven Kolb. The Board will be chaired by executive board vice chairwoman Tracy Reese as she leads decision-making and vision in this important work. Board members include Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr, Netflix chief marketing officer Bozoma Saint John, Fashion Tech Connects co-founder Stacie Henderson, and CFDA member Martin Cooper.

Bonnie Morrison will be joining the CFDA in a newly created role to lead the strategy and execution of CFDA equity program initiatives with the goal of building opportunities for Black creatives and professionals in fashion. Morrison will help support and execute new initiatives including the newly created CFDA task force and talent placement program created for Black creatives and professionals in the American fashion industry. Morrison recently founded the Morrison Strategy Partners consultancy. Previously, she has held positions at Coach, Condé Nast, KCD, and PR Consulting.

“We are bringing together an impressive group of esteemed industry colleagues to collectively help us build a framework for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion in fashion,” Diggs said.

“These fundamental changes to the organization allow us to bring important perspectives to the fashion industry,” Kolb said. “They will play an instrumental role in our efforts to transform the fashion system and make it more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.”