Tiffany & Co. is pulling the lid back on its efforts toward diversity, equity and inclusion. On Wednesday, the company revealed recent initiatives as part of its Atrium platform, which was established earlier this year as a sustainability pillar advocating for fairness and inclusion in fine jewelry and luxury.
Tiffany has partnered with Harlem’s Fashion Row to sponsor their Icon 360 HBCU Summit. The initiative involved Tiffany executives and staff flying in to meet with students in the fashion design and merchandising program at North Carolina A&T University to educate them about potential careers in the luxury industry.
Over the course of 10 weeks, speakers including Global Human Resources Director Mary Bellai, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer Dana Naberezny, and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton North America Director of Diversity and Inclusion Cory Smith, were among those who spoke.
Last month, Tiffany also sponsored a trip for students to travel to New York to visit the jewelry headquarters, the jewelry innovation workshop and attend a professional panel luncheon.
“It starts with a human connection. In the spring, Tiffany executives came to the school to brief students on the functions of her particular job. We want to make sure they know that the industry loves them and that they are important to us and Tiffany has been amazing at getting that message across,” said Brandice Daniel, founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row.
He added, “The goal for us is: how do we transform the art and fashion departments at HBCUs so they are on par with the best fashion schools across the country? To make sure that we are preparing the next generation of diverse creative talent to enter this industry.”
Tiffany has also revealed the first eight trainees as part of LVMH’s Institute Métiers d’Excellence, which, in Tiffany’s case, is also part of Atrium. Diana Olivarez, Elizabeth Shoobs, Elizabeth Matthan, Evan Martinez, Jiwon Hong, Isabella Dias, Maria-Emilia Proaño, and Marianne Nieves de Banegas will work in the jewelry workshops for the next two years, circulating between job functions to refine the experience.
Tiffany, as previously revealed, will continue its About Love Scholarship in partnership with Beyoncé and Jay-Z through 2024, ultimately awarding $2 million in scholarships to historically Black college and university students enrolled in arts and creative studies. . For the 2022-23 school year, 60 students will receive need-based financial assistance.
“Through the Tiffany Atrium, we have expanded access and exposure for HBCU students and diverse talent in recent months. The relationships we are building under our Education Pillar strengthen our brand. From the second year of our About Love scholarship campaign, to our first LVMH Métiers d’Excellence apprenticeship program and connection with Harlem’s Fashion Row, we have made significant progress toward our goals,” said Bellai.