S04 Episode 207 | THE ROOT | Episode 3 | Racism In The Fashion Industry

<p><img src= "https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/show/99761/The_Root_Ep_3-libsyn.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="600" /></p> <p><a href="http://consciouschatter.com/the-root" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Root</a> Episode 3: Racism In The Fashion Industry is broken down into 2 segments. The first segment focuses on the designer lens in which Dominique Drakeford speaks with sustainable fashion designers Miko Underwood and DJ discussing the creation of the fashion industry and the importance of shifting the white exploitive gaze through historical analysis, Black abundance mindset and cultural responsibility. In the second segment, Dominique Drakeford hones in on the “influencer” lens by speaking with Aja Barber and Emi Ito on the uses of social media as a tool for education, advocacy and solidarity against institutional oppression.</p> <p class=""><strong>Damian Joel</strong> (preferably called D.J.) is a self-taught designer who credits his interest in fashion to years of witnessing his mother sweat over her sewing machine to make ends meet. After years of working in corporate Jamaica as a Marketing and PR executive, D.J. transitioned his career, and became a regular style correspondent on Jamaica’s morning show. He also acted as a Personal Stylist to Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce. In 2014, D.J. headed to New York, where he has managed to carve out his own space— without formal training — relying merely on his intuitive talent in fashion.</p> <p class="">Links to DJ’s work:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.damianjoel.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">INTRO x DJ</a>, D.J.'s brand</li> <li> <p class=""><a href= "https://melaninass.com/blog/2020/7/28/lbqep6r67j2si6wtguemoh4sjp8r5m" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Interview with MelaninASS</a></p> </li> <li> <p class=""><a href= "https://www.wnyc.org/story/designer-damian-joel-brings-african-ancestry-brooklyns-weeksville-heritage-center/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NPR Interview</a></p> </li> <li> <p class=""><a href= "https://www.theblack