Shelby Ivey Christie, a fashion historian and North Carolina A&T State University alum, is changing the face of fashion education with her groundbreaking company, Haute Heritage Publishing. Her mission? To make fashion history accessible, particularly Black history, and empower the next generation of creators, regardless of their background.
With over a decade of experience working for major brands like L’Oréal, Nike, and Vogue, Christie has become a powerful voice in fashion, particularly through her social media platform @bronze_bombSHEL. However, her impact extends far beyond the digital space.
Haute Heritage Publishing: Breaking Down Barriers
Through Haute Heritage Publishing, Christie is dedicated to breaking down the long-standing barriers that have made fashion education inaccessible to marginalized communities. The publishing house focuses on celebrating Black and brown contributions to the fashion world, providing the resources needed to educate people of all ages.
Christie states, “We’re a publishing house dedicated to creating fashion-based content and resources that spotlight Black and brown contributions to fashion.” This is not just a statement but a commitment to changing the narrative for many who previously had little access to the history of Black icons in the industry.
Bringing Fashion History to the Next Generation
One of Haute Heritage’s most innovative offerings is the Black Fashion Legends ABC book and flashcard deck, aimed at educating children and adults alike on the unsung heroes of Black fashion history. This educational resource introduces names like Dapper Dan, Naomi Campbell, Virgil Abloh, and more to a younger generation of creatives.
Christie emphasizes the importance of these tools, saying, “It was a huge honor for June Ambrose to write the foreword for the book. Her words of encouragement plant seeds for the younger generation, telling them that if they want it, there’s a place for them in the industry.”
The goal is clear—Haute Heritage is here to make Black history an integral part of mainstream fashion education, accessible to people from all walks of life.
Making Fashion Accessible to All
For Christie, making fashion history accessible isn’t just about publishing books and flashcards. It’s about geography, too. “Everyone can’t get to New York, right? So these products make it so that children and young people who are outside of New York can have access to fashion stories,” she explains.
Christie knows firsthand the challenges of being passionate about fashion while growing up far from fashion capitals like New York. By making these resources widely available, Haute Heritage brings the world of fashion to people who might otherwise feel left out, empowering them with the tools and knowledge they need.
A Lifelong Commitment to Black History in Fashion
Christie’s journey into publishing was sparked by the racial reckoning of 2020, during which the fashion industry faced long-overdue conversations about diversity. As Christie recalls, “The industry was having conversations I’d been having on my platform for years. I saw that they were finally listening.”
Yet, rather than sitting on the sidelines, Christie decided to take direct action. “I couldn’t just sit behind the keyboard. I had to do something,” she says. Haute Heritage is her way of ensuring that Black figures like Dapper Dan, André Leon Talley, and Misa Hylton are not overlooked in the conversation about fashion history.
Becoming Fashion’s Favorite Publisher
Christie’s journey doesn’t stop at being an expert historian. Now, she’s on her way to becoming one of fashion’s favorite publishers. “I have a commitment through my publishing house to always be a good steward of our stories and our history,” she says.
In an industry where only 5% of publishing houses are Black-owned, Christie’s work stands as a beacon of change. Through Haute Heritage, she is reshaping the landscape of fashion education, ensuring that Black history is not just remembered but celebrated.
