‘The Invisible Seam’ celebrates Black contributions to fashion with fashion educator Kimberly Jenkins in partnership with Tommy Hilfiger
“The Invisible Seam” celebrates Black contributions to culture, communities, and fashion, highlighting historic moments that have often been overlooked or unappreciated, but did not go unnoticed. Hosted by fashion educator Kimberly Jenkins, this series remembers when Black Americans fought for respect, challenged societal norms, created community, and envisioned the future through fashion choices and what they wore.
This podcast opens American fashion’s archive to expand the narrative and further the conversation around change. It’s also a super educational resource.
Start the series from episode 1, titled “No Blueprint,” to set the scene and hear all compelling interviews from the beginning. Episodes will include expert guests like designers, academics, fashion historians, museum curators, stylists, and artists.
Episode 1 chats with designers Jeffrey Banks and Romeo Hunte and costume designer Ceci. “Rhythm and Muse” shares how the hip-hop community created its look on the fringe of a hostile industry, way before the aesthetic went global and became popular.
Episode 2 speaks with Monica Morrow and Boz Bradshaw (stylists), April Walker (designer), and Elena Romero (Assistant Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology at FIT and TV Correspondent).
Episode 3 deeply explores Black America’s connections to fashion and looks at the relationship between what we wear and what we believe. Miko Underwood (Founder and Chief Creative Director at OAK & ACORN), Angela Tate (Women’s History Curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture), Elizabeth Way (Associate Curator at The Museum at FIT), and Richard Thompson Ford (professor and author) join Kimberly this episode.
In “The Best, The Brightest, The Dressed,” we’ll hear how historically Black colleges and universities use fashion to showcase Black culture as a mosaic and spotlight Black Americans as leaders and tastemakers in fashion. This episode includes Ceci (costume designer), Jasmine Guy (actress and singer), Darnell-Jamal Lisby (fashion historian and curator), Monica L. Miller (professor and author), and Elizabeth Way (Associate Curator at The Museum at FIT).
“There Will Be No More Doors” looks to the future for present inspiration and speaks with Zairion Lester (a fashion student and emerging designer), Connor McKnight (designer), Law Roach (Image Architect), Brandice Daniel (CEO and Founder of Harlem’s Fashion Row), Randy Cousin (SVP of Product Concept and the People’s Place Program at Tommy Hilfiger), Ade Samuel (Celebrity Stylist), Letesha Renee (Head Designer and Owner at Eugene Taylor Brand), and Aria Hughes (Editorial Creative Director at Complex Networks).
“The Invisible Seam” is brought to you by The Fashion and Race Database, Tommy Hilfiger’s People’s Place Program, and Pineapple Street Studios.
“We are all responsible in shaping a future that is truly equitable for BIPOC creatives,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “It’s incredibly meaningful that some of the most notable voices in fashion have come together to bring this podcast to life. It’s a necessary step to acknowledge, recognize, share and celebrate Black contributions in defining modern fashion and culture.”
In addition to podcasting, Kimberly is a consultant, an Assistant Professor of Fashion Studies at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada, and Founder/Lead Researcher of The Fashion and Race Database.
You won’t want to miss “The Invisible Seam.” All episodes are now streaming wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
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