"Designing Dreams: Mentorship, Community, and the Future of Black Fashion"

In the latest episode of Be Advised, fashion writing intern Aleena Khan is joined by designer and mentor Lenese Calleea to explore how creativity, community, and resilience shape the future of Black fashion. From transforming her living room into a thriving business to launching the Black Girlz Designer Club, Callea shares how her passion for design evolved into a mission to uplift emerging Black designers.

We dive into the importance of mentorship, the power of social media, and how to navigate the fashion industry as a Black woman. Calleea’s journey is a testament to the fact that success isn’t just about talent – it’s about sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and standing firm in your vision.

Whether you’re a designer, entrepreneur, or creative looking for inspiration, this episode will remind you of the power of community and staying true to your craft.

Key Points:

• From Passion to Profession – Lenese Calleea’s journey began with childhood sewing lessons from her grandmother, eventually leading her to earn a BFA in fashion design and launch her own made-to-order business.

• Embracing Mentorship – Inspired by her own experiences, Calleea shifted her focus to mentoring young designers, founding the Black Girlz Designer Club to empower the next generation of Black creatives.

• Overcoming Challenges – Calleea navigated industry obstacles, including layoffs and stereotypes, by leaning into entrepreneurship and setting firm boundaries while advocating for Black designers.

• The Power of Community – Through relatable mentorship, Calleea fosters genuine connections, creating a safe space for mentees to grow without feeling intimidated.

• Leveraging Social Media – Recognizing the importance of visibility, Calleea consistently uses social media to expand her reach, promote her brand, and teach emerging designers to do the same.

Guest Spotlight:

Lenese Calleea, affectionately known as the Fashion Fairy Godmother, has accumulated 2 decades of expertise in design, garment construction, and apparel production. Armed with a BFA in Fashion Design, she has launched a thriving apparel consulting business and serves as a respected professor at FIT, all while completing her Masters in Global Fashion Management.

Lenese's journey from a young seamstress and entrepreneur to a designer, industry expert, consultant, and creative mogul is truly inspiring. Today, she offers a wealth of knowledge to designers at every stage of their journey. As an advocate for education, unity, and inclusion in fashion, she has completed product development and production for over 200 emerging brands and scaled LC Apparel Consulting to $700k in revenue. She’s ready to make 2025 a year of growth and collaboration—and she’s excited to partner with YOU!

Connect with Lenese

• Instagrams: @lenesecalleea , @lc_apparelconsulting , @calleeavateininc, @blacknfashionpodcast , @blackgirlzdesignerclub

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