Stitch Fix releases debut Elevate collection

By

Robin Driver

Published
Oct 10, 2021

San Francisco-based online personal styling service Stitch Fix has announced the launch of the first collection resulting from its Elevate grant and mentorship program supporting Black-owned brands.

 
Launched in 2020, Elevate offered the entrepreneurs behind six Black-owned women’s and men’s apparel and accessories brands $25,000 cash grants to develop their businesses.
 
The program’s chosen brands include Diarrablu, Busayo, Kahmune, Marcus Alexander, Sarep + Rose, and Chloe Kristyn. These businesses also benefited from eight months advisory support from Stitch Fix’s own leadership team and were given access to the platform’s data science resources in order to perfect and refine their existing offerings.

The first collection resulting from this process is now available to shop on Stitch Fix, with pieces priced between $125 and $495.
 
“We are committed to accelerating change within the apparel industry and our own vendor base and we couldn’t be more excited to launch the first collection of our Elevate grant and mentorship program,” explained Loretta Choy, GM for Stitch Fix women’s, in a release.
 
“This launch is one part of our broader social impact vision to create a more sustainable and equitable world,” added the executive. “We are excited to support the next generation of entrepreneurs of color in fashion and share their stories and incredible talents with our community.”
 
To launch Elevate, Stitch Fix partnered with arts and entertainment platform Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) and its founder and CEO, Brandice Daniel. The organization, which seeks to support emerging talent and offer a platform for designers of color, collaborated with Stitch Fix at every stage of the program, advising on how best to optimize grantees’ success.
 
Applications for Stitch Fix’s 2021-2022 Elevate grant and mentorship program are now open and will close on October 31.