Two of the industry’s top creators of color–British designer Grace Wales Bonner and Vogue’s Fashion News Director Chioma Nnandi–hit the stage at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference for a candid convo on navigating the fast-paced world of fashion.
As a young designer and especially one of color, Wales Bonner admitted to the struggles she’s found in making her mark in an industry where we are severely underrepresented. She discussed the importance of finding balance and tapping into ones spirituality.
In an effort to maintain a sense of inner peace, Wales Bonner seeks safe spaces to recharge. The fashion maven often takes retreats to escape from the crazy, adding that the moments of clarity she experiences during these retreats often inspire her designs.
Learning how to build a brand, along with keeping both long term and short term goals for expansion in mind can be daunting realities for young designers. Wales Bonner’s sage advice on maintaining balance is a crucial message that resonates will todays creatives. The pair ended their convo by touching on the British talent’s early days at the acclaimed Central Saint Martins College– stomping ground to many prestigious fashion designers.