Living Room
KEEPING UP WITH KANI
Hear from 2022 E&J x Kani mentorship winner Rachel A. Fenderson.
As applications continue to roll in for the 2023 E&J Brandy x Karl Kani Mentorship Program, we caught up with last year’s winner to see what she’s learned and what the future looks like for her business, Pepper Jacques.
Rachel A. Fenderson was selected as the winner based on her drive, passion, and vision for Pepper Jacques, a Black and women-owned luxury apparel brand. In many ways, her New York-focused brand mirrors the history of Brooklyn-based Karl Kani. Read on to discover how Fenderson has enjoyed the past year of one-on-one mentorship with the Godfather of Urban Streetwear himself—and how you could be this year’s winner.
What has this year been like for you?
It is such a surreal experience to be mentored by Karl Kani. One of the key things that we took away from this experience is to always show up, send our materials to him in advance, be prepared, and ready for any and all opportunities.
What will you take away from this experience?
To be able to be in conversation with, to be guided by, a world-renowned designer—the Godfather of Streetwear—who followed his dreams while making space for us, gives us the fortitude to keep pushing upward and forward. Speaking to a living legend on a one to one basis about Legacy, heritage, brand protection, was one of the most invaluable experiences we could’ve had. He put us on game and gave us a blueprint for us to follow so that we can make better business decisions to also have longevity. These moments made our dreams into a reality.
What’s one moment from the mentorship that stands out to you?
During one of our sessions, we told Karl Kani about this huge opportunity with a worldwide clothing manufacturer. We also expressed our concern for how our logo was going to be utilized as well as how our designs were going to be produced with no end date in sight. Karl let us know that all deals that glitter are not gold. Karl told us that we made the right decision to back away, and that we were right to be concerned, because he would not risk his brand logo, nor heritage to be utilized freely without an end date by another entity.
Tell us about the opportunities this mentorship has given you.
Karl is a real one! About a month ago, Karl presented us with the opportunity of a lifetime: to participate in the Hip Hop Fashion 50 Years Celebratory runway show produced by Video Music Box and the Universal Hip Hop Museum. Gift wrapped into one bow was history, branding, legacy, dream making, heritage building, opportunity as well as access. All now we can’t believe that we got to have our designs touch the same stage as Karl Kani, April Walker, Dapper Dan, and FUBU. We are beyond grateful!
This year’s winner receives a $5K stipend, a trip to Los Angeles to meet Karl Kani, a professional photoshoot and tour of the Kani studio, numerous networking opportunities, and a yearlong one-on-one mentorship with Kani himself. Apply now before 3/31 here.
Let us know if you’ve applied in the comments.
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Fam Comments
Dantheman
12 months agocool beans
Dantheman
12 months ago:)
Dantheman
12 months agocool beans
Dantheman
13 months agoYou guys...
rebecca.brantner64@yahoo.com
13 months agoI am so happy & excited for you Rachel.
Iron Mike
13 months agoCongrats Rachel. Can’t wait to see your success in the future.
"Rob"
13 months agoSuper DOPE Rachel! Keep Pushing!
Julianna
13 months agoVery Interesting.
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