City of Design Talk: Fashion, Power, and the Legacy of Virgil Abloh

Knight Gallery, Detroit

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June 27, 2025

December 7, 2025

Design Core Detroit welcomed Robin Givhan, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and cultural critic, for a special edition of City of Design Talks at the Knight Gallery. The conversation, moderated by Design Core’s Kiana Wenzell and presented in partnership with Crown Publishing, explored fashion’s role in shaping culture, identity, and influence.

A native Detroiter and valedictorian of Renaissance High School, Givhan reflected on her groundbreaking career—from covering Paris fashion weeks to analyzing the political messaging of Michelle Obama’s style. The talk also delved into her latest book, Make It Ours: Crashing the Gate of Culture with Virgil Abloh, which examines the late designer’s impact on the fashion world and the enduring legacy of Black creativity.

The evening brought together members of Detroit’s design and cultural community for a thoughtful conversation about representation, power, and what it means to shape culture from within.

Presented in partnership with:

Crown Publishing
Aevitas Creative
Hutchinson Heinemann

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