Is Rhode Island Becoming a Powerhouse for Diversity in Fashion and Design?
Is Rhode Island Becoming a Powerhouse for Diversity in Fashion and Design?
Former model Yemi Sekoni — who heads up Fashion Week RI and is now the owner of Donahue Models & Talent in Rhode Island — said that the state’s unique position in the industry presents opportunities to showcase the state’s growing multi-cultural population.
Sekoni took over the agency started by Annette Donahue, which currently features a diverse array of talent -- a roster that she says resonates with clients.
“Rhode Island, we’re not what you call a ‘high fashion’ state. You’re not getting the Victoria’s Secret client. But what we do have is a lot of commercial work, looking for the homegrown person next door,” said Sekoni.
“There’s a lot of diversity of the audience sitting at home watching TV, and sometimes, we do get asked for racial ‘ambiguity’ when it comes to models,” said Sekoni. “And diversity has extended to clients looking for people with visible disabilities — people watching TV like anyone else.”
VIDEO: Watch Sekoni Talk About Graduation from 10,000 Small Businesses Program on GoLocal LIVE - ABOVE
“No two jobs are the same. Even when a client doesn’t ask specifically, I just look across the board [of who I have] to suggest talent, and it’s often a wide array of people. Sometimes they’re not asking for specifics, but know what they want to feature when they see [models],” said Sekoni.
“I pride myself on the fact that agency was the first in the state to provide a bi-racial couple. [The husband] ended up being a darker toned Hispanic gentleman — this was for Iggy’s Doughboys,” said Sekoni. “When I’m suggesting talent, I’m looking for everything across the board.”
Sekoni, who recently appeared on GoLocal LIVE to discuss graduation from the 10,000 Small Businesses Program, said that that she believes, however, that “diversity” might not mean the same thing to younger people in their teens and twenties.
“There’s a merging of lines between different cultures, and the differences are going to be fewer and fewer,” said Sekoni. “For the younger generation, the lines are blurrier. They don’t understand what the big deal is, whether it be skin color, or sexual orientation — so we need to be more progressive, and make it less of an issue.”
Anthony Sanders, who founded the bow-tie company “Awoken,” says he believes diversity in fashion represents customers' demand to see themselves reflected in the products they purchase.
“I think with any business, big or small, the big questions are, can you connect with customers and is the product something of quality — is it something that matters?” said Sanders. “I don’t expect Awoken to be huge. I want to keep it to be intimate."
"Just recently, I had a friend who’s a Mason who said he wanted to satin tie, and he said this is the look I want to present," said Sanders. "It’s about connecting with customers. We cater to people’s personality and style. You can’t get that at Macy’s — and we can get that for you.”
“I think Rhode Island, and especially Providence, has the capacity to showcase diversity in many of the arts,” said Sanders.
“In fashion, you have the ability to express diversity, but for myself — I have kids who are 14 and 12 — and I’m always teaching them about the history of fashion,” said Sanders. “I want them know that while times change, there are events where you should dress a certain way. Proms still need a formal look. We can teach that to the next generation.”
“There are certain things that are timeless, like the bowtie. So I work with [former State Representative] Ray Rickman, who hosts the annual 'Bowties for Boys,' event,” said Sanders. “For interviews, you still need a suit and tie. We have the opportunity to bridge things with the next generation.”
“I’m excited about Awoken,” said Sanders. “We’ll be part of Fashion Fete on January 26 at the Providence Career and Technical Academy. You have to stay relevant, and show that you’re excited about what you do. We’ll be debuting scarves, and have some pieces for Black History Month.”
“[Fashion] is a business, but I love seeing my customers,” said Sanders. "After Fashion Fete, we'll be at the Southside Boys and Girls Club. We've got a big year planned."