Aurora James

Aurora James, a creative director, activist, and fashion designer, launched Brother Vellies in January 2013 with an initial investment of $3,500. The brand’s core mission focused on preserving traditional African design practices and techniques while creating sustainable employment for artisans. Brother Vellies’ first formal collection, produced entirely with shoemakers in South Africa, was released for the spring 2014 season. James later expanded artisan partnerships to include countries like Mexico and Honduras, producing diverse footwear styles for the brand.

Building on this foundational success, Brother Vellies introduced handbags to its collection in 2015. In the same year, James received the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize, recognizing her innovative approach and impact in the fashion industry. Her contributions led to her induction into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2016. Brother Vellies’ distinctive designs garnered significant attention, with items worn by notable public figures including Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Nicki Minaj, and Elaine Welteroth.

In 2020, James founded the 15 Percent Pledge, a non-profit organization advocating for economic equity. The initiative, sparked by an Instagram post, urges major retailers to commit at least 15 percent of their shelf space to products from Black-owned businesses, leading to partnerships with large corporations to implement this commitment. James was featured on the cover of Vogue magazine in September 2020 and recognized on the Bloomberg 50 list in 2020. Her influence continued to grow, earning her a spot on the Time 100 list in 2021.

Aurora James further cemented her standing as an industry leader with her election as a Vice Chair of the CFDA in 2022, the same year she was honored as a Glamour Woman of the Year. In 2023, James released her memoir, ‘Wildflower,’ offering a comprehensive look into her career journey and experiences.