How Raisefashion Supports First-Time Fashion Designers from BIPOC Backgrounds Enter the IndustryRAISEfashion
Partner content by RAISEfashion
RAISEFASHION IS A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION dedicated to offering pro-bono advisory services and network access to BIPOC-owned brands and individuals. Our overarching mission is to systematically break down existing barriers through the collaborative sharing of time and connections, empowering individuals to realize their career aspirations. Together, we forge a path towards a more inclusive industry to advance the equity of BIPOC talent.
Company Snapshot
TYPEPrivate
ESTABLISHED2020
HEADQUARTERSUnited States
EMPLOYEES2 - 10
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Highlights
How Raisefashion Supports First-Time Fashion Designers from BIPOC Backgrounds Enter the Industry
At Raisefashion, Supporting Emerging BIPOC Designers Grow Their Businesses
Inside the Emerging Talent Programme for BIPOC Designers at Raisefashion
At RaiseFashion, Positioning BIPOC Fashion Designers for Strategic Growth
Latest News & Analysis
Partner Content
RaiseFashion Designers on Balancing Scale with Creative Integrity
BoF speaks with six designers from RaiseFashion’s 2026 Masterclass — Daveed Baptiste, Greg Jackson, Haoran Li, Hiywet Mimi Girma, Mark Grattan and Olivia Cheng — on the pressure to scale prematurely. Plus, how access to the right mentorship, networks and expertise helps build businesses that last.
RaiseFashion Designers on Balancing Scale with Creative Integrity
BoF speaks with six designers from RaiseFashion’s 2026 Masterclass — Daveed Baptiste, Greg Jackson, Haoran Li, Hiywet Mimi Girma, Mark Grattan and Olivia Cheng — on the pressure to scale prematurely. Plus, how access to the right mentorship, networks and expertise helps build businesses that last.
Partner Content
How the RaiseFashion Masterclass Helps Brand Founders Rethink Operations
BoF speaks with seven designers from RaiseFashion’s 2026 cohort — Angelo Beato and Yamil Arbaje, Bianca Saunders, Brandon Murphy, Diarra Bousso, Dwarmis Concepción, and Reut Ringel — on navigating tariffs, supply chain complexity and the operational decisions that can make or break an independent brand.
How the RaiseFashion Masterclass Helps Brand Founders Rethink Operations
BoF speaks with seven designers from RaiseFashion’s 2026 cohort — Angelo Beato and Yamil Arbaje, Bianca Saunders, Brandon Murphy, Diarra Bousso, Dwarmis Concepción, and Reut Ringel — on navigating tariffs, supply chain complexity and the operational decisions that can make or break an independent brand.
Partner Content
RaiseFashion, ShopMy and J.Crew Group Celebrate the 2026 Masterclass Cohort During NYFW
The intimate New York Fashion Week dinner celebrated the organisation’s new masterclass cohort of 18 designers — its largest yet. Alongside the designers, guests included model and activist Bethann Hardison, fashion designer Naeem Khan and Moda Operandi’s April Hennig, as well as fashion executives, retail partners and programme advisors.
RaiseFashion, ShopMy and J.Crew Group Celebrate the 2026 Masterclass Cohort During NYFW
The intimate New York Fashion Week dinner celebrated the organisation’s new masterclass cohort of 18 designers — its largest yet. Alongside the designers, guests included model and activist Bethann Hardison, fashion designer Naeem Khan and Moda Operandi’s April Hennig, as well as fashion executives, retail partners and programme advisors.
Partner Content
At Raisefashion, Supporting Underrepresented Designers at the Forefront of Sustainable Fashion
With sustainability falling down the priority list for fashion executives in 2025, emerging designers are looking to meet demands for conscious consumerism — but face substantial challenges in an oversaturated market facing macroeconomic limitations. BoF sits down with Felita Harris, co-founder of non-profit RaiseFashion that provides financial, educational and community support for underrepresented designers focused on sustainability goals, to learn more.
At Raisefashion, Supporting Underrepresented Designers at the Forefront of Sustainable Fashion
With sustainability falling down the priority list for fashion executives in 2025, emerging designers are looking to meet demands for conscious consumerism — but face substantial challenges in an oversaturated market facing macroeconomic limitations. BoF sits down with Felita Harris, co-founder of non-profit RaiseFashion that provides financial, educational and community support for underrepresented designers focused on sustainability goals, to learn more.
Partner Content
Navigating Fashion’s DEI Setbacks and Charting a Path Forward With RaiseFashion
Felita Harris, RaiseFashion’s executive director and co-founder, Rachel Scott, founder and creative director of Diotima, and Mercy Amankwe, senior director of brand marketing and partnerships at Standard International, joined BoF’s Shenel Wickramaratne at The Standard, East Village to discuss how to uphold inclusion, empower underrepresented talent and drive meaningful change amid industry-wide row backs on diversity, equity and inclusion commitments.
Navigating Fashion’s DEI Setbacks and Charting a Path Forward With RaiseFashion
Felita Harris, RaiseFashion’s executive director and co-founder, Rachel Scott, founder and creative director of Diotima, and Mercy Amankwe, senior director of brand marketing and partnerships at Standard International, joined BoF’s Shenel Wickramaratne at The Standard, East Village to discuss how to uphold inclusion, empower underrepresented talent and drive meaningful change amid industry-wide row backs on diversity, equity and inclusion commitments.
Partner Content
At RaiseFashion, Positioning BIPOC Fashion Designers for Strategic Growth
BoF sits down with five New York-based BIPOC designers taking part in the second iteration of Raisefashion’s Brand Fellowship programme, to hear about their entrepreneurial experience in the fashion capital and how the non-profit is helping them prepare for success.
At RaiseFashion, Positioning BIPOC Fashion Designers for Strategic Growth
BoF sits down with five New York-based BIPOC designers taking part in the second iteration of Raisefashion’s Brand Fellowship programme, to hear about their entrepreneurial experience in the fashion capital and how the non-profit is helping them prepare for success.
Partner Content
How Raisefashion Supports First-Time Fashion Designers from BIPOC Backgrounds Enter the Industry
BoF meets four designers from Raisefashion’s brand fellowship programme without formal fashion training, to learn the challenges they have faced in starting a brand and how the non-profit is supporting their venture.
How Raisefashion Supports First-Time Fashion Designers from BIPOC Backgrounds Enter the Industry
BoF meets four designers from Raisefashion’s brand fellowship programme without formal fashion training, to learn the challenges they have faced in starting a brand and how the non-profit is supporting their venture.
Partner Content
At Raisefashion, Supporting Emerging BIPOC Designers Grow Their Businesses
Four designers from Raisefashion’s brand fellowship programme share how the non-profit has enabled the creatives to take their business from strength to strength, and better navigate on-going market challenges today.
At Raisefashion, Supporting Emerging BIPOC Designers Grow Their Businesses
Four designers from Raisefashion’s brand fellowship programme share how the non-profit has enabled the creatives to take their business from strength to strength, and better navigate on-going market challenges today.
Partner Content
Inside the Emerging Talent Programme for BIPOC Designers at Raisefashion
Executive director and founding board member, Felita Harris discusses the non-profit’s brand fellowship programme — an 8-week masterclass for 8 BIPOC designers, conducted by experienced industry advisors and senior executives.
Inside the Emerging Talent Programme for BIPOC Designers at Raisefashion
Executive director and founding board member, Felita Harris discusses the non-profit’s brand fellowship programme — an 8-week masterclass for 8 BIPOC designers, conducted by experienced industry advisors and senior executives.