The “Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund” stands as a symbol of change in the fashion world. In this exclusive interview, we explore the fund’s inspiring story with its founder Alicia Pinckney, Senior Fashion Designer, and Gabriele Silva, Director of Talent Acquisition & Recruitment at VF. Learn how this initiative, driven by a commitment to diversity and inclusion, is closing the gap for Black students in the fashion and footwear industries.
What is the idea behind the “Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund”?
Alicia: The idea behind the Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund is to support Black students who want to establish themselves in the underrepresented fashion and footwear industry through scholarships, mentoring and internship placement.
How did the Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund all start?
Alicia: I have long wanted to set up my own scholarship foundation, but was unsure how and where to start. I was very inspired by the memorial service for George Floyd, which called on universities to support Black students. During the height of the pandemic, I lived in Switzerland and spent a lot of time painting. I sold prints of my work and used the proceeds as seed money for the scholarship. I underestimated the power of my network – when I talked about my initiative, brands contacted me to support the scholarship. Since it was founded in 2020, we have been able to provide 39 students in the USA with scholarships and internships in NYC.
What does the collaboration between VF and the other sponsors look like?
Gabriele: It was somehow obvious to work with the “Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund”. Alicia has already contributed a lot to our Employee Resource Group (ERG) during her time with our Timberland team at the VF EMEA HQs in Stabio. When we heard about their initiative, we really wanted to be a part of it!
We were looking for a partner to help us create a diverse talent pool for our design teams and found the Black Talent Fund as the ideal solution. It helps us make our team more diverse and rich in perspective. A perfect match!
Why do you think a Black Talent Fund is so important?
Alicia: Access to opportunity is important in any industry, but especially in the fashion and footwear industries. The Black Talent in Design & Fashion Fund provides recruiters with qualified talent for internships while also providing students with financial support and mentoring.
Gabriele: Networking is essential for building a career. By fostering a diverse candidate base and supporting them through targeted mentoring, we contribute to a diverse talent pool not only for VF, but also for the European fashion and apparel industry. It’s an exciting journey and we’re proud to be part of it!
What do you hope for the future of the Black Talent Fund?
Alicia: In the short three years since our founding, we have expanded internationally. I am aware that such initiatives are rare in Europe, but this already shows the direction in which the foundation could develop. I dream of organizing a gala where sponsors, mentors, students and graduates can celebrate and network together.
Gabriele: Our goal is to support Alicia’s vision for the future and make career opportunities in design more accessible to everyone. There is still a lot to discover, stay tuned!