Global shipping giant DHL and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced that Black Boy Knits has won the 2022 DHL Logistics in Fashion Award.
As the winner, Black Boy Knits will receive a $15,000 grant to advance its business internationally and mentoring opportunities from both organizations. Black Boy Knits is an independent design studio founded by Jacques Agbobly during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
Its purpose is to highlight black, queer, and immigrant narratives and its cultural contributions through a globally focused lens. With a strong approach and derailing aesthetic, Agbobly’s designs draw parallels between the past and the present, showing how black history and craft traditions can inform the future of fashion.
“As an Afro-Indigenous queer immigrant, equality, diversity and empowerment is at the forefront of what I create,” Agbobly said. “This recognition will allow me to not only expand my business, but also achieve my mission to celebrate our culture and identity across the globe through our unique and personalized fashion designs.”
The DHL Logistics in Fashion Award is part of a larger partnership with the CFDA to help fashion businesses take advantage of opportunities to grow worldwide. In March, DHL Express US announced that it has returned as CFDA’s exclusive Official Logistics Partner, a partnership aimed at helping fashion businesses take advantage of opportunities to expand their reach across borders.
“We are delighted to support emerging fashion designers like Jacques, giving them an opportunity to grow to new heights in the global market,” said Cristian Vera, senior vice president of sales and marketing at DHL Express Americas . “Our partnership with the CFDA and expertise in international logistics has helped hundreds of businesses in the fashion industry by allowing them to provide fast and reliable shipping to customers around the world.”
As part of the partnership, CFDA members and temporary members receive exclusive shipping rates and access to DHL Office Hours, where they can work directly with DHL shipping and logistics professionals and receive expert guidance regarding their supply chain. global supply.
“By facilitating the global supply chain, our partnership with DHL is making it possible for CFDA members and emerging brands to expand their businesses internationally,” said CFDA CEO Steven Kolb. “We look forward to seeing how Black Boy Knits uses this incredible opportunity to reach even more customers around the globe.”
The CFDA is a not-for-profit trade association whose members consist of more than 470 of America’s leading womenswear, menswear, accessories and jewelry designers.
