In an ongoing effort to diversify the retail landscape and support emerging brands, Stitch Fix has launched its first-ever Elevate collection, which features designs from six entrepreneurs of color. The collection spans women’s and men’s and includes apparel and accessories from Diarrablu, Busayo, Kahmune, Marcus Alexander, Sarep + Rose and Chloe Kristyn. In addition to creating the collection, each of these participating brands received a $25,000 grant to grow their businesses, along with eight months of advisory support from leadership across Stitch Fix.
The collection is the natural evolution of Stitch Fix’s Elevate Grant and Mentorship Program. The company states, “Stitch Fix aims to promote a more diverse retail landscape by supporting entrepreneurs of color who are building the next wave of apparel and accessories businesses. Through Elevate, Stitch Fix will mentor entrepreneurs of color using our art and science approach, and help fund their businesses with financial grants. We will use our resources, data insights and expertise to help underrepresented entrepreneurs scale their businesses. By fostering POC-owned businesses, we are actively working toward a more diverse vendor base within our own assortment and accelerating change in our industry.”
You can shop the Elevate collection here.
If you’re a young POC hoping to get into the Elevate Grant and Mentorship Program, you’re in luck. The application period for the next round began on October 6, 2021, and will close on October 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. ET. You can apply for the program here.
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