Celebrating Black Excellence &

Community

There is power in community. This year, Saks is honoring Black History Month by partnering with BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) to spotlight the positive effect of community on mental health and healing in the fashion industry. BEAM supports Black mental health at the community level with peer support tools and mental health resources that center Black healing. To highlight the importance of peer support, community and progress within the fashion industry, we reached out to designers LaQuan Smith and Dani Evans of Monrowe to reflect on supporting fellow Black designers, nurturing mental health and finding joy in Black history and excellence.

In a show of community support, Black fashion designer Dani self-styled in from Black owned brands Balmain and Brother Vellies. "After watching Olivier's documentary I immediately felt a sense of familiarity with him," she says of the Balmain designer. "I respect what Olivier has built even amid all the hardship he's gone through. To create from a place of vulnerability and sometimes confusion and pain takes a certain skill level." She also notes "Aurora started [Brother Vellies] with her own money to create beautiful artisan pieces that highlight African culture. Now, she is the creator of the Fifteen Percent Pledge. A visionary and artist within her right!"