DETROIT, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a game-changing collaboration, two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter recently partnered with PLC Detroit, the only design-focused HBCU, to unveil the Apparel Creation STU/DEO by adidas at the sixth annual National Black Footwear Forum (BFF) in partnership with the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America(FDRA). This exciting event celebrated artistry, culture, and the empowerment of the next generation of designers.
An HBCU graduate of HAMPTON University, Carter championed the collaboration to empower aspiring designers. With a career spanning over three decades and more than 70 credits in film, television, and theater, Carter is the trailblazing, two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer, renowned for her ability to bring vibrant, culturally rich costumes to life. She has collaborated with legendary directors such as Spike Lee, Steven Spielberg, Ava DuVernay, and Ryan Coogler. Her groundbreaking work on Black Panther made history as the first Black person to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, securing Marvel Studios’ first Oscar. She continued to make history with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, becoming the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category and the first costume designer to win for both a feature film and its sequel.
The launch of the apparel creation stu/deo featured contributions from talented PLC Detroit alumni, Angel Buckens and Rodney Banks, who played an integral role in the design process. Their innovative ideas and fresh perspectives are a testament to the educational opportunities at PLC Detroit, underscoring the institution’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of creatives.
Detroit’s own fine arts painter and muralist Sydney G. James created the mural for the creation space. This vibrant artwork serves as an inspiring backdrop for the new stu/deo and highlights the rich cultural contributions of local Detroit artists.
When I was a young designer, I hoped for places like the Apparel STU/DEO. I’m grateful that my longstanding career has allowed my work to honor our history and culture while inspiring others to tell their own stories. To stand here now, seeing students at PLC Detroit take that same dream and shape it into something new through my name, is profoundly moving. Moments like this remind us that design is more than fashion—it is storytelling, it is culture, it is legacy. I am honored to mentor these brilliant young creatives as they begin to write their own chapters, and I cannot wait to see how their vision transforms the future of design. — Ruth E. Carter
BFF, known as ‘The Industry’s Homecoming,’ provided an ideal platform for the unveiling of the stu/deo. It serves as a dynamic hub for innovation and empowerment, featuring keynotes, panel discussions, and activations that unite footwear professionals, students, and allies. This year’s forum emphasized the importance of ‘Owning Your Power and Defining the Future,’ aligning perfectly with Carter’s vision.
Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “This marked the second time PLC collaborated with Ruth E. Carter. It was truly special to share this moment with over 1,000 BFF attendees, alongside our talented students and dedicated faculty.”
The event was a celebration of design and creativity and embodied a commitment to community, legacy, and the future of design. The unveiling was a transformative event that motivated and empowered both established designers and the emerging generation of talent.
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Phyllis Caddell
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SOURCE Pensole Lewis College
