Tapestry Partners With Bowie State

Fashion Industry Corporate Executives to Engage With Students

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – Senior executives of upscale fashion brands Coach New York, Kate Spade New York and Stuart Weitzman will appear in the classrooms of Bowie State University students this fall leading webinars in fashion design, branding, and other topics.

Through a new collaboration with Tapestry, the parent company for the luxury goods providers, and Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) the executives will participate in a weekly series of seven professional webinars beginning from Sept. 27 through Nov. 8. They will cover topics important to developing careers in the fashion industry ranging from concept and research to print and color, to use of leather, fabric and hardware for design. They will also explore business topics such as in-house design versus licensed design and other topics.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for our students to learn from some of the most respected leaders in the fashion industry,” said Professor Danielle Brown, assistant professor of fashion design in Bowie State’s department of fine and performing arts. “Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR), the premier agency creating a bridge between major fashion brands and designers of color, brought this opportunity with Tapestry to the university through its HBCU Summit program. We believe this is just the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship with HFR and Tapestry that will ultimately help to better prepare students for work in the highly competitive fashion industry,” she said.

Harlem’s Fashion Row HBCU Summit was developed to enhance the art and fashion programs at HBCUs by providing design expertise from industry icons that will help promote the next generation of diverse creative talent.

“Our HBCU Summit is all about taking art and fashion programs at HBCU’s to the next level,” said Brandice Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row.  “The fashion industry, like all businesses, is changing in response to a very diverse clientele.  Our goal is to ensure students at Bowie State learn from some of the best and brightest in the industry while making important contacts for potential jobs with Tapestry’s iconic brands,” she said.

Tapestry is the American multinational holding company for Coach New York that specializes in leather goods such as handbags, luggage, and other accessories; Kate Spade New York which designs luxury wallets and handbags, while Stuart Weitzman’s shoes and boots are considered the ultimate in sophisticated women’s footwear

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.