Aurora James Biography
Aurora James is a Canadian creative director, fashion designer, activist and the Founder of luxury accessories brand and fashion label Brother Vellies.
Aurora James Career
Following a journey across Africa in 2011, James engaged in several years of design experimentation, testing her creations at local markets in New York, and collaborating with various artisan groups. With a starting investment of $3,500 from her savings, she officially launched Brother Vellies in January 2013, driven by the mission of promoting the craftsmanship of African artisans. The inaugural Brother Vellies collection, dedicated to the spring of 2014, exclusively featured the work of shoemakers from South Africa. Over time, she expanded her reach, collaborating with artisans in different African countries, as well as extending her production to Mexico and Honduras. Furthermore, she also created an array of footwear, including desert boots, shoes, slippers, and sandals. In 2015, she diversified her offerings by introducing handbags to the Brother Vellies line. She attended the Toronto Metropolitan University.
This coincided with her win of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize. Her influence and recognition soared in 2020 when she graced the cover of Vogue magazine’s September issue, captured in a portrait by Jordan Casteel. By 2022, she achieved another milestone by being unanimously elected as a Vice Chair of the CFDA. Brother Vellies gained widespread acclaim, with a clientele ranging from activists to celebrities, artists, and musicians, such as Beyoncé, Solange Knowles, Nicki Minaj, and Elaine Welteroth. Among James’ notable designs is the “Tax the Rich” dress worn by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2021 Met Gala. In 2020, following the tragic murder of George Floyd and the subsequent surge in Black Lives Matter activism, she initiated the 15 Percent Pledge on May 29 through an Instagram post. This quickly gained viral attention and widespread interest, as reported by Vogue.
Responding to the momentum, the 15 Percent Pledge Foundation, established as a non-profit organization, aimed to encourage major retailers to allocate 15 percent of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses. The foundation provides significant corporations with accountability measures, strategic recommendations, and consulting services. Its overarching objective is to advocate for Black-owned enterprises and foster generational wealth in Black communities. The initiative emerged from a response to multiple instances of social injustice and police brutality in the United States, where corporate responsibility for systemic issues was lacking, as stated on the foundation’s website. According to Time magazine, she envisioned a tangible way for companies to effect meaningful change, giving rise to the 15 Percent Pledge.
Wolf, writing for GQ magazine, underscores her careful acknowledgment that the pledge is not a singular solution. She emphasizes that while supporting Black-owned businesses through shopping is important, it should not overshadow other vital actions. Actions such as contributing to bail funds, in the challenging times faced by society. In May 2023, she unveiled her memoir, “Wildflower.” A review by Kirkus Reviews lauded the work, stating, “Throughout the text, she is vulnerable and candid, crafting a narrative voice that is both intimate and captivating; at the line level, her language is notably lyrical.” Bianca Betancourt, writing for Harper’s Bazaar, noted, “James holds nothing back. She poignantly weaves together memories from her youth with profoundly honest accounts of her present life as a designer and entrepreneur.” James has achieved widespread acclaim and numerous accolades for her notable contributions to the fashion industry and advocacy.
Notable achievements include winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2015 and being inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2016. Additionally, she has also received recognition as a nominee for the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design at the 2016 CFDA Awards and as the winner of the Vogue Talents Award the same year. She further solidified her presence in the industry by being a CFDA Fashion Incubator Member from 2016 to 2018. Noteworthy nominations include the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent at the 2018 CFDA Awards. Beyond her contributions to fashion, she received the Planned Parenthood Influencer Award in 2019 and was honored with the International Canadian Designer Award at the 2019 CAFA Awards. Her recognition extended to the business realm, where she earned a place in Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 in 2019.
In 2020, she was acknowledged with the British Fashion Award in the People category, and she secured a spot in The Bloomberg 50. Footwear News acknowledged her as the Person of the Year in the same year. She continued to make waves, being named to Time’s prestigious annual list, Time 100, in 2021. Glamour recognized her as Woman of the Year in 2022, and in the same year, she assumed the role of Vice Chair of the CFDA. Her accolades culminated in 2023 with the prestigious CAFA Vanguard Award. These honors underscore her significant impact on the fashion industry, her dedication to activism, and her influential role as a leader and innovator.
Aurora James Salary
James earns an annual salary of about $50,000-$150,000.
Aurora James Net Worth
James has an estimated net worth of about $2 Million – $4 Million which she has earned through her career as a fashion designer.
Aurora James Age
James was born on July 12, 1984, in Toronto, Canada. She is 40 years old as of 2024, and she celebrates her birthday on the 12th of July every year.
Aurora James Height and Weight
James stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches tall, and she weighs 125 lbs (75kgs).
Aurora James Family
James likes to keep her personal life private hence she has neither disclosed the names of her parents nor those of her siblings. However, this information will be updated when available.
Aurora James Husband and Children
James is dating to Benjamin Bronfman who is a media personality. She resides in New York together with her family.
Aurora James New Memoir, Wildflower.
James has recently published her memoir, “Wildflower,” providing an intimate look at the journey that shaped her into the influential figure she is today. The book delves into pivotal moments, including personal challenges such as childhood sexual abuse and an eating disorder, experienced during her time in various locations such as Canada, Jamaica, and Africa. It also explores the evolution of her career into the realm of activism. In sharing her story, she aims to dispel the notion propagated by social media that portrays a flawless and effortlessly successful life for women. She acknowledges the imperfections in her own journey, emphasizing that her path was far from conventional – she didn’t attend the “right” school, achieve top grades, or even complete any formal education. Recognizing the pressures and insecurities faced by young people who perceive others’ lives as perfect, she hopes that her narrative will resonate with individuals who may feel they are not on the traditional path to success.
She draws inspiration for the title from her childhood experiences, particularly her mother’s teachings about creating “seed bombs” – combining seeds with clay and dirt and tossing them onto neglected or abandoned land. This practice, metaphorically symbolizing growth and transformation, encourages blooming in unexpected places and embracing one’s authentic self, even in challenging environments. She sees every seemingly lackluster circumstance as an opportunity for personal and collective growth, a chance to contribute beauty to the world. Reflecting on her mother’s wisdom, she emphasizes the importance of showing up as oneself, even in unsupportive environments and viewing challenges as opportunities for positive change. The book’s jacket reveals a favorite poem: “You can cut all the flowers, but you can’t keep spring from coming.” This sentiment encapsulates her belief in the resilience of those advocating for change, acceptance, and growth, echoing the unstoppable force of nature’s renewal.
Aurora James
While working for KBFX Fierro co-works alongside:
Social Media Platform
James is very active on her Instagram and Facebook pages. She has 243.3k followers on Instagram and 2.7k followers on Facebook.