Let's Celebrate: Studio 189 Wins The CFDA + Lexus Fashion Initiative Award

It's a celebration every time anyone black wins, especially in the fashion industry where diversity is still an ongoing battle. The most recent victory happened yesterday (6/27) when Abrima Erwiah and Rosario Dawson, the co-founders of Studio One Eighty Nine won the second CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative.  The competition held by the Council of Fashion Designers of America is one of many business development programs that supports designers on the rise. What sets this program apart from others including CFDA Fashion Incubator or CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is its emphases on sustainable fashion. Designers who participate in this contest have eco-friendly brands. In the case of Studio One Eighty Nine, the brand's mission is "to use fashion as an agent for social change, turning challenges on the ground into opportunities." With headquarters set up in Ghana, West Africa, and the USA (the brand operates a store in New York) Studio One Eighty Nine uses artisan to produce African and African-inspired clothing for men and women. For taking home the top prize, the black women due received  $80,000, beating out Nicole Heim & Chelsea Healy's Cienne --who were the runners-up receiving $10,000--, Sue Stemp and Paud Roche's St. Roche, Whitney Pozgay and Parker Argote's Whit, and Marcia Patmos' M. Patmos. Check out the ladies reaction to winning the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative below!

We WON!! We did it!! We won a CFDA x Lexus fashion award for our work dedicated to sustainability. We did this. did not expect it. We have worked so hard for so long in the trenches in the community... people have given up so much for us and sacrificed so much. We have sacrificed so much. We have been in a 9month long competition with 4 of the best sustainable brands in the industry. @mpatmos @cienne_ny @whit_ny @st_roche . It has been such a blessing to grow with them and compete with them, to learn with them and laugh with them... We were so surprised when they announced #studio189 last night as the winner. 2 women of color creating an authentic brand with its foundation in africa and America helping to promote an ecosystem and economy for the empowerment of people. We are building community. Our community has rallied behind us and been so supportive. EVERYONE. It’s all love and it’s pure heart. It’s magic. We are magic. You are magic. This is the future unfolding in the present. Watch this space. This is only the beginning. We love you. Thank you. #studio189 #fashionrising #cfdaawards #cfda #lexus ❤️❤️❤️❤️ @cfda @lexususa

A post shared by Studio 189 (@studiooneeightynine) on Jun 27, 2018 at 6:34am PDT

In the case of Studio One Eighty Nine, the brand's mission is "to use fashion as an agent for social change, turning challenges on the ground into opportunities." With headquarters set up in Ghana, West Africa, and the USA (the brand operates a store in New York) Studio One Eighty Nine uses artisan to produce African and African-inspired clothing for men and women. For taking home the top prize, the black women due received  $80,000, beating out Nicole Heim & Chelsea Healy's Cienne --who were the runners-up receiving $10,000--, Sue Stemp and Paud Roche's St. Roche, Whitney Pozgay and Parker Argote's Whit, and Marcia Patmos' M. Patmos. Check out the ladies reaction to winning the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative below!

Boa Me Na Me Mmoa Wo “Help Me And Let Me Help You” #GoTeam #Repost @studiooneeightynine ・・・ We WON!! We did it!! We won a CFDA x Lexus fashion award for our work dedicated to sustainability. We did this. did not expect it. We have worked so hard for so long in the trenches in the community... people have given up so much for us and sacrificed so much. We have sacrificed so much. We have been in a 9month long competition with 4 of the best sustainable brands in the industry. @mpatmos @cienne_ny @whit_ny @st_roche . It has been such a blessing to grow with them and compete with them, to learn with them and laugh with them... We were so surprised when they announced #studio189 last night as the winner. 2 women of color creating an authentic brand with its foundation in africa and America helping to promote an ecosystem and economy for the empowerment of people. We are building community. Our community has rallied behind us and been so supportive. EVERYONE. It’s all love and it’s pure heart. It’s magic. We are magic. You are magic. This is the future unfolding in the present. Watch this space. This is only the beginning. We love you. Thank you. #studio189 #fashionrising #cfdaawards #cfda #lexus ❤️❤️❤️❤️ @cfda @lexususa

A post shared by rosariodawson (@rosariodawson) on Jun 27, 2018 at 7:58am PDT

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