Who are you and what's your role in fashion?

I am Allie Bangura, Founder of ADAN and Co-Founder of ADAN Impact. ADAN has been working closely with Zalando over the past three years and, as the biggest online retailer in Europe, I saw their potential to strongly contribute to more equity in the fashion industry. 

What excites you about being part of the selection panel for the accelerator?

I am excited about the idea of empowering a Black-owned Brand to scale up and harness their full potential. Adding to this is the programme’s credibility, as it is supported by a renowned retailer like Zalando that has the resources to make equitable and lasting change.

What do you hope to see in the applications?

I believe we will see the full potential and spectrum of Black creativity!

Why do you think this accelerator is valuable?

The accelerator is valuable because it  not only addresses inequity in fashion, but also the economic disparity that exists between Black people and other ethnicities. By empowering a brand to scale its operations, they will inevitably benefit economically which can also inspire and empower different stakeholders within their realm.t can also benefit Zalando as the two grow together. As a result,it will become a blueprint that shows the social and economic benefit of empowering more underrepresented communities.