How Did His Designs Change Fashion Forever?

Modeleque woman
Leslie Taylor-Grover
February 22, 2021

When Willi Smith was a child, he noticed his parents had more clothes in the house than anything else – sometimes even food! Black people loved their clothes. When so much in society was closed off to us, self-expression was a way to reclaim our humanity.

He never forgot this, or his people, in his quest to transform the fashion industry. And he ended up doing just that.

Smith struggled to fit into a white fashion industry, which maintained a status quo of “classy” European fashions and limited sizes. They weren’t ready for a visionary like him, who looked for inspiration from the people around him.

But ready or not, here he came!

Smith created the style called “streetwear,” with oversized separates, bold patterns, and artwork from Black artists. He refused to allow the industry to define him – and then something wonderful happened!

EVERYONE – from movie stars to children in the street – started wearing his clothing. Smith loved nothing more than to see his work on everyday people! His work made fashion affordable, accessible, fun, and BLACK. His work was a celebration of Blackness!

For decades, Smith’s innovation has defined the entire fashion industry, from Black designers to white appropriators. We must never forget that no matter what racists would have us believe, we are incredible, innovative, and worthy of celebration!

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