Preserving | Celebrating | Educating

Black Fashion Legacy is an initiative of Hems & Brims dedicated to preserving Black fashion history by integrating it into educational spaces.

About Black Fashion Legacy

Black Fashion Legacy was created to address a critical gap in fashion education. Despite the undeniable influence of Black fashion creatives on the industry, our stories have been overlooked, our contributions minimized, and our legacies erased from the historical record.

We're changing that.

We develop comprehensive educational resources that properly document and celebrate Black contributions to fashion history and its cultural impact. From curriculum development and lesson plans to workshops and community partnerships, we're ensuring that fashion education includes the complete story of who built this industry.

Our resources are designed for classrooms, institutions, and individuals who want to understand fashion's full historical context and honor all the Black creatives who shaped it. Because when we preserve these stories, we create pathways for the next generation of Black talent to see themselves in fashion's legacy and its future.

What We Do

Through carefully researched resources and collaborative partnerships, we're building a comprehensive archive of Black fashion history that's accessible, educational, and impactful. Each project we undertake honors the past while supporting the next generation of Black fashion creatives.

  • We create research-based materials including posters, digital content, and curriculum resources that bring Black fashion history into classrooms and cultural spaces.

  • We conduct thorough historical research to ensure accuracy and context, drawing from primary sources, academic publications, and industry archives.

  • We offer engaging educational programming for schools, institutions, and organizations that want to explore Black fashion history with their communities.

  • We work with educators, researchers, cultural institutions, and organizations to develop custom programming and expand access to these important stories.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Briana Burton is the Founder and Executive Director of Hems & Brims and Black Fashion Legacy. A Temple University graduate with a BA in Strategic Communications, Briana has over a decade of experience in youth engagement through nonprofit organizations and schools.

After years of working with aspiring Black fashion professionals, Briana recognized a significant gap in fashion education. Black fashion creatives were consistently underrepresented, and often completely absent, from educational materials, curricula, and industry narratives. This realization led her to create Black Fashion Legacy in 2025.

Through Black Fashion Legacy, Briana is ensuring that Black fashion history is preserved, celebrated, and integrated into educational spaces. Her work creates pathways for the next generation of Black creatives to see themselves in fashion's history and future.

In addition to leading Hems & Brims and Black Fashion Legacy, Briana is a sewing instructor for youth and adults in Atlanta, Georgia, continuing her commitment to hands-on education and skill-building in the fashion industry.

Supporting the Next Generation

Black Fashion Legacy is an initiative of Hems & Brims, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of fashion professionals through mentorship, education, and community building.

Hems & Brims connects aspiring fashion professionals with industry mentors, educational resources, and networking opportunities. Through our mentorship programs, workshops, and career development initiatives, we support Black youth as they navigate their paths into the fashion industry.

A portion of proceeds from Black Fashion Legacy resources and partnership programs directly supports Hems & Brims' programming. When you purchase our educational materials or partner with us, you're not only preserving Black fashion history, you're also investing in the next generation of Black fashion creatives.

Share Your Legacy

Who will you BE? Share your commitment to honoring Black fashion history and the legacy you want to create. Selected messages will be featured on our website.