Two-Time Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter Unveils Apparel Creation STU/DEO by adidas at PLC Detroit

At the heart of Detroit, a remarkable event unfolded as two-time Oscar-winning Ruth E. Carter unveiled the Apparel Design STU/DEO by adidas during the sixth annual National Black Footwear Forum. This milestone event is particularly significant for aspiring designers at PLC Detroit, the only design-focused Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Carter, renowned for her vibrant and culturally rich costumes, has profoundly influenced the film industry. She inspires a new generation of designers with her words: “Moments like this remind us that design is more than fashion—it is storytelling, it is culture, it is legacy.” Her collaboration with PLC Detroit aims to empower young creatives to embrace their unique narratives.

As a graduate of Hampton University, Carter is passionate about nurturing emerging talent. With over three decades of experience and more than 70 credits in film, television, and theater, she is a trailblazing, two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer. Her groundbreaking work on Black Panther made history as the first Black person to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, marking Marvel Studios' first Oscar. She continued to break barriers with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, becoming the first Black woman to win multiple Academy Awards in any category and the first costume designer to win for both a feature film and its sequel.

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... 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. — Ruth E. Carter

Students Angel Buckens and Rodney Banks played pivotal roles in the design process, infusing fresh perspectives into the project. “I wanted to reflect Ruth E. Carter's dynamic style, drawing heavily from my experience at her Afrofuturism in Costume Design exhibition at the African American Museum and her book,” Angel shared. Rodney added, “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from this project is the impact that design can have when it intersects with history and purpose. Working on this space with Ruth E. Carter, I’ve come to fully understand that design is an act of storytelling; every decision made carries the weight of her narrative and history.”

Enhancing the STU/DEO, fine arts painter Sydney G. James contributed a stunning mural that reflects themes of resilience and cultural pride. Known for her vibrant works, James transforms public spaces worldwide, reminding viewers of Black women’s experiences. “Art is an extension of my identity and mission,” she stated.

Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit, expressed pride in the collaboration, noting, “It’s a momentous occasion for our students to work alongside a legend like Ruth E. Carter.”

The sixth annual National Black Footwear Forum (BFF) was held at PLC Detroit in partnership with the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA). Dubbed "The Industry’s Homecoming," this year's forum attracted over 1,300 attendees, celebrating and empowering Black and Brown professionals within the global design industry.

PLC Detroit offers a range of programs focusing on design and creativity, including pathways in footwear, apparel, and brand marketing. The college emphasizes experiential learning, allowing students to collaborate with industry professionals and gain hands-on experience.

As attendees celebrated the unveiling, the message was clear: this initiative embodies a commitment to community and the future of design, inspiring the next generation to tell their stories through their work.