Established in 2010, the Fashion Forward Student Design Competition was created to recognize student fashion designers of African descent who have distinguished themselves through their academic achievement, talent, creativity, and innovative approach.
NBAF Fashion Forward honorees are selected by a distinguished panel of judges and receive a cash prize of $2,000 and a showcase at Neiman Marcus.
The award is open to students of African descent who are:
Award Competition Categories:
*There will be 2 winners in each category.
The 2023 NBAF Fashion Forward honorees will be presented at NBAF's Fine Art + Fashion Benefit on Thursday, April 20th in Atlanta, GA.
THE 2023 NBAF FASHION FORWARD HONOREES ARE:
JAKARIE AKHIL WHITAKER
Jakarie Akhil Whitaker is a junior at Clark Atlanta University, studying Fashion Design and Merchandising with a minor in Art and Philosophy. Originally from Flint, Michigan, he isa two-time Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholar (2022, 2023) and a Bridge to Basel Finalist (2022). Whitaker is the Creative Director of the fashion brand Hikari no Yami and aspires to transcend fashion trends by creating wearable art that sparks emotion.
YEMISI SANNI
Yemisi Sanni is a junior at Savannah College of Art and Design, studying Fashion Design, Marketing & Management. Her cross-cultural experiences as a transplant from Lagos, Nigeriahas inspired many of her fashion ventures and aesthetics. Sanni is driven to collaborate with others in connecting cultures and using fashion as a tool to shape a more creative, sustainable, and inclusive future. She is currently the Designer/Style Artistfor Stylenspire, a fashion brand offering a mix of Chic and Afro-Contemporary clothing for women, with a focus on delivering quality and uniqueness.
