In the lustrous ambience of Verōnika, three groundbreaking designers joined forces with Vogue and Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management for an enlightening conversation that emphasized the significance of community and mentorship in the early stages of one’s career. Rosie Assoulin, Carly Cushnie, and Jacques Agbobly each epitomize the resilience and determination of the American fashion design community.
The exchange of inspiration and information commenced as Olivia Douglas, Global Head of Marketing for Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs, introduced the design talent alongside Vogue market editor Naomi Elizée. “In addition to delving into each designer’s creative process and the narratives behind their brands, tonight’s discourse will explore the profound impact fashion design funds have had on the upcoming generation of young designers, empowering them to maximize their influence in the fashion industry,” Douglas announced.
Agbobly, a knitwear designer with roots in Togo, West Africa, and raised in Chicago, established the brand Black Boy Knits during the peak of the pandemic to address a dearth of job opportunities in the industry. With the guidance of a professor, Agbobly secured studio space and began knitting. “I made everything myself that first year,” they recalled. “I crafted around 300 sweaters.” This sparked inquiries from friends and social media followers, leading Agbobly to apply for a fashion design fund.
Cushnie, who founded her eponymous label in 2008 after graduating from design school, sought to achieve “the perfect balance of tailored and fluid women’s clothing” with her debut collection. In 2011, she became a fashion design fund finalist. “At the time, no brand was using social media Designers relied on magazines, editorials, and celebrities to get their brand out there,” she reminisced. “Receiving recognition that says ‘you’re really one of the ones to watch,’ it did a lot for the brand, especially when going to retailers.”
Assoulin’s journey to her exuberant label took a different route. The luxury womenswear designer’s experiences working at various fashion houses provided inspiration, yet also posed daunting challenges. “I thought I had to have all these things to start, like a full atelier and fabrics from all over the world,” she reflected. “And yet, at the same time, my experiences showed me that I just had to begin for myself.” The beloved Rosie Assoulin brand made its debut in 2013 and is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.
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