FASHION OUR FUTURE 2020” ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE DESIGNER DROPS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Timed to New York Fashion Week, Limited-Edition Merchandise & Virtual Programming
Aim to Encourage Voter Registration, Education & Turnout
Fashion Our Future 2020 announces the release of exclusive apparel and accessories, virtual events and designer programming during New York Fashion Week (NYFW), inspiring Americans to use their voice and generate positive change beyond the runway. Activations have come to life in partnership with The RealReal, Refinery29, Visa, and IMG through NYFW: The Shows, the central hub of live and virtual activity during Fashion Week.
FASHION OUR FUTURE 2020 MERCHANDISE & SHOP
Today marks the launch of the Fashion Our Future 2020 Shop and its first drop of exclusive voting-themed designer merchandise, with e-commerce powered by The RealReal. Each item is designed to empower its wearer to embrace the campaign’s call to action, “Be A Model Voter,” and shoppers will be prompted to register to vote at point of purchase.
“So many people do not feel included, heard or spoken to in the political process. Fashion is something that can speak to everyone, and so we’re hoping to bridge the gap through this shared language and bring everyone into the fold,” stated Abrima Erwiah, co-founder of Studio 189 and Fashion Our Future 2020 lead. “We are standing on the shoulders of all the people who marched, fought, sacrificed and died for us to have this right to vote. I think about the power of all these collective voices and what we can do if we all come together and participate.”
The initial merchandise drop includes
- Off-White “Model Voter” T-Shirts by campaign creative director, Virgil Abloh ($45)
- Studio 189 Blue Ayumi Face Masks by Fashion Our Future 2020 founder,AbrimaErwiah($20)
- Fe Noel Bandana Scarf, presented by Visa ($38)
- Studio 189 Red, White, Blue Ayumi Hand-Batik Cotton Face Mask, presented by Visa ($20)
- Tanya Taylor“The Right to Tote” Tote Bag & Buttons, presented by Visa($40)
The Shop’s debut will feature a limited-edition capsule collection of three accessories presented by Visa, each designed to champion women’s empowerment, diversity and celebrate her right to vote.
“This season, Visa is excited to champion women by collaborating with independent, female designers to produce conscious style accessories and spark conversation about a more inclusive future,” said Mary Ann Reilly, senior vice president, Head of North America Marketing, Visa. “Fashion is key to self-expression and inspiring change, whether that is shown on a tote, on your mask or on a t-shirt. Our hope is that these items can influence the community to raise a voice this fall and help shape a future of equality and inclusivity.”
Additional drops featuring new limited-edition pieces from brands including Fe Noel, Gigi Burris, Off-White, Studio 189 and Tanya Taylor will be available in the coming weeks, in addition to designer charity sales hosted in partnership with The RealReal.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to see the power of fashion being harnessed as a force for change,” stated Julie Wainwright, CEO of The RealReal. “Engaging and empowering underrepresented communities to have their voices heard is such a critical part of the upcoming election and we’re proud to be teaming up with Fashion Our Future 2020 to support this important work.”
Alongside all participating fashion labels, The RealRealwill also be supporting civic engagement within its internal community, encouraging employees to use their paid volunteer time off to work at the polls and offering all employees time off to vote, while Visa has joined the“Time to Vote” Coalition and will expand employee time off to vote to four hours on Election Day.
FASHION OUR FUTURE 2020 PROGRAMMING
Fashion Our Future 2020 ramped up voter education efforts in partnership with IMG’s biannual programming series, NYFW: BTS, delivering educational content ‘Beyond the Shows’ at New York Fashion Week through live and virtualpanels, workshops and special events.
To kick things off, Visa has presented “Fashion’s Power to Create Change,” a conversation about social impact featuring Studio 189 and Fashion Our Future 2020 co-founders Abrima Erwiah and Rosario Dawson, designer Tanya Taylor and Visa’s Mary Ann Reilly, moderated by Bustle editor and stylist Tiffany Reid. Today, in celebration of the Fashion Our Future 2020 launch, the designer collective will host a merchandise preview for press and fashion industry taste makers, live on the rooftop terrace at Spring Studios, home of NYFW: The Shows, while designer Victor Glemaud, IMG model Precious Lee, curator Kimberly Drew and Vogue’s Chioma Nnadi will host a conversation titled “Culture, Style & Politics”. Rounding out the week, Tanya Taylor will host A Fashion Registration. For the complete schedule and live stream information, please visit NYFW: The Shows’ online hub at NYFW.com.
In parallel, Refinery29 has teamed up with Fashion Our Future 2020 advisors and talent to produce educational social assets, as well as Instagram Live content across its Somos and Unbothered channels for Latinx and Black voices, highlighting the importance of getting out the vote.
With its voter registration partners, Fashion Our Future 2020 aims to register 1 million voters by National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 22, then drive those 1 million strong to the polls. Please visit fashionourfuture2020.com for full campaign details and voter registration information, and follow the journey on Instagram via @fashionourfuture2020, #FashionOurFuture2020 and #ModelVoter.
About Fashion Our Future 2020
Initiated by Abrima Erwiah, co-founder of fashion label Studio 189, Fashion Our Future 2020 is a voter registration campaign that aims to leverage the power of fashion to engage underrepresented communities in the political process. The movement has been developed in collaboration with Rosario Dawson and Maria Teresa Kumar, co-founders of the nonprofit voter registration organization Voto Latino; Fashion Our Future 2020 creative director, Virgil Abloh; Supreme; Tanya Taylor; Victor Glemaud and IN THE BLK; IMG and Endeavor Impact. In partnership with Voto Latino, Fashion Our Future 2020 aims to register one million voters by National Voter Registration Day on September 22, then drive those one million strong to cast their votes on or before the General Election on November 3.
Fashion Our Future 2020 Advisors include: Annie Jean-Baptiste, Emma Grede, Hassan Pierre, Julie Gilhart, Julien Cahn, Maria Teresa Kumar, Meredith Koop, Opal Tometi, Rosario Dawson, Samira Nasr, Tanya Taylor and Victor Glemaud.
Fashion Our Future 2020 partners include: Voto Latino, Action Button, CFDA, Endeavor Impact, IMG, IN THE BLK, Maison de Mode, Refinery29, Roswell Studios, The RealReal, Tomorrow Crew and Visa.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media. The company manages some of the world’s greatest athletes and fashion icons; owns and operates hundreds of live events annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in licensing, sports training and league development. IMG is a subsidiary of Endeavor, a global entertainment, sports and content company.
About Refinery29
Refinery29 is the leading media and entertainment destination focused on women. Through a wide spectrum of lifestyle stories, original video programming, social, shareable content, and experiences, Refinery29 provides its global audience with the inspiration and tools to discover and pursue a more independent and informed life. Refinery29 is part of Vice Media Group, the world’s largest independent youth media company.
About TheRealReal
The RealReal is the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated, consigned luxury goods. With a rigorous authentication process overseen by experts, The RealReal provides a safe and reliable platform for consumers to buy and sell their luxury items. We have 150+ in-house gemologists, horologists and brand authenticators who inspect thousands of items each day. As a sustainable company, we give new life to pieces by hundreds of brands, from Gucci to Cartier, supporting the circular economy. We make consigning effortless with free in-home pickup, drop-off service, virtual appointments and direct shipping for individual consignors and estates. At our stores in LA, NYC and San Francisco, customers can shop, consign, and meet with our experts. At our 10 Luxury Consignment Offices, four of which are in our retail stores, our expert staff provides free valuations.
About Visa Inc.
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of digital commerce on any device for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit About Visa, visa.com/blog and @VisaNews
