PLC Detroit: The Only Design-Focused HBCU Partners with Two-Time Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter
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Posted By: Phyllis Caddell on October 01, 2025 In the city recognized as a budding fashion hub, a growing community of designers is revitalizing its historic Avenue of Fashion, setting the stage for a remarkable event at PLC Detroit, the only design-focused HBCU in the country. Two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter unveiled her Apparel Design STU/DEO by adidas, marking a significant milestone for aspiring designers and coinciding with the sixth National Black Footwear Forum. Carter, an HBCU graduate from Hampton University, has championed this collaboration to empower emerging designers. With a career spanning over three decades and over 70 credits in film, television, and theater, she is renowned for bringing culturally rich costumes to life. 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 further solidified her legacy with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, becoming the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category. Celebrated for her vibrant and culturally rich costumes, Carter has profoundly impacted the film industry. Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Design is more than fashion—it is storytelling, it is culture, it is legacy,” emphasizing her commitment to inspiring the next generation of creatives. The STU/DEO is yet another amazing space that PLC Detroit has unveiled for students to have the pleasure of creating. As a leader in career education and professional development in the creative industry, PLC Detroit bears the torch and leads the way to creative vision and progress. It works at the crossroads of making the industry better, developing unconventional educational experiences, and creating ingenious products. By offering a new path to break into the world of product creation, PLC prepares and empowers the largest talent pool of creatives to enter the industry, making it better for the next generation. From the Black Panther room, equipped with state-of-the-art computers, vibrant murals inspired by the film, and a multi-colored wall that serves as the backdrop for framed posters from films that Carter worked on, to a station with spools and spools of material and sewing machines, students will be immersed in creativity. PLC Detroit alumni Angel Buckens and Rodney Banks played pivotal roles in the design process, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to fruition. Although Angel and Rodney met with Ruth to discuss her vision for the space, Carter shared the excitement of the attendees as she saw it for the first time, just like them. “We aimed to create a space that not only showcases our designs but also embodies the storytelling aspect of Ruth’s work,” Angel explained. Rodney added, “This project isn’t just a room to design clothes; it presents opportunities for young designers to understand how their personal histories inform their work.” Enhancing the STU/DEO, Detroit’s own fine arts painter Sydney G. James created a stunning mural that reflects themes of resilience and cultural pride. Known for her vibrant works, James has transformed public spaces globally, and her art serves as a powerful reminder of Black women’s experiences. “Art is an extension of my identity and mission,” she stated. “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,” said Carter. BFF, known as 'The Industry's Homecoming,' provided an ideal platform for this unveiling. 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 unveiling was a celebration of design and creativity, embodying a commitment to community, legacy, and the future of design. It was a transformative event that motivated and empowered both established designers and the emerging generation of talent. “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,” Carter stated. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Phyllis Caddell
Publicist, PCPR Communications Member Since May 2024 |
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