Celebrating Black History Month, Canadian Influencer Monique Smith hosts Toronto’s first Black Creators’ Event, facilitated by The Fashion Zone at The Creative Innovation Studio

April 2023 - On February 28th, 2023, to celebrate Black History Month, Content Creator and Influencer Monique Smith (external link)  and Zone Learning’s The Fashion Zone came together to organize “Fashion for the Culture”; a networking social to connect and support BIPOC content creators and small businesses.

The event kicked-off with an in-depth 1:1 conversation between Monique Smith and Fashion Zone’s Manger and Studio Co-Director, Brian A. Richards. After a robust Q+A, the rest of the night was dedicated to both social and professional networking. Well-attended, ‘Fashion for the Culture’ was a successful evening filled with great food, music and community-building. Monique had this to say, 

“I’ve always had the dream of bringing together BIPOC creators at an event like this; having fun while building community, owning our presence. Thank you to all of the small businesses that supported ‘Fashion for the Culture’. Thank you Fashion Zone and The Creative Innovation Studio for hosting us.”  

Brian, Fashion Zone’s first BIPOC Manager, expressed a similar sentiment, “As a past fashion entrepreneur for over two-decades, I felt particularly inspired to facilitate (especially during BHM) an event where Black creative talent and businesses were both featured and consciously celebrated.”

The venue, Creative Innovation Studio, part of Toronto Metropolitan University, in the heart of Toronto was instrumental to the success of ‘Fashion for the Culture.’ Studio representative, Angelique Bowen-Achong expressed the following, “The Creative Innovation Studio was thrilled to partner on this fantastic initiative. We pride ourselves on creating community and safe spaces where a diverse range of creatives, artists and entrepreneurs can show up as their authentic selves.”

Also in attendance, Vice- President, Zone Learning & Strategic Partnerships, John MacRitchie had the following to say, "Thank you for supporting and joining us at the ‘Fashion for the Culture’ event at the Fashion Zone celebrating Black excellence. The attendance and energy at the event was amazing and it was exciting to be there."

Monique (Niche6ix (external link) ), Fashion Zone and The Creative Innovation Studio extend huge thanks to all the attendees who came out to support BIPOC content creators and small businesses.

This event was proudly supported by the following community partners:

​​Decor & Entertainment:

Balloon Treats (external link)  @balloon.treats

The Big Day (external link)  @bigday_toronto

DJ Dreadie Love (external link)  @djdreadielove

Dluxe Photobooths (external link)  @dluxephotobooths_

Food & Beverage:

BK Whiskey (external link)  @bkwhisky

COPS donuts (external link)  @eat.cops

DZP Punch (external link)  @dzp.punch

East 2 West Servers (external link)  @east_2westservers

Holy Shakes (external link)  @holyshakescafe

Journey’s Cuisine (external link)  @journeys.cuisine 

Nyarai Cellars (external link)  @nyaraicellarswine

Sapsucker (external link)  @sipsapsucker 

Velvet Lane Cakes (external link)  @velvetlanecakes

Woodhouse Brewing Co. (external link)  @woodhousebeer

For the next Niche6ix event at the Fashion Zone, follow @moniqueesmithxo on Instagram!

For more information about Fashion Zone and our Events/
Programming, email the Fashion Zone at fashionzone@torontomu.ca; visit our website at https://www.torontomu.ca/fashion-zone/ or follow us on Instagram @tmufashionzone