Willi Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Willi Donnell Smith February 29, 1948 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | April 17, 1987 (aged 39) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Mastbaum Technical High School University of the Arts Parsons The New School for Design |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Label | WilliWear Limited |
| Relatives | Toukie Smith (sister) Robert De Niro (former brother-in-law) |
Willi Donnell Smith (February 29, 1948 – April 17, 1987) was an American fashion designer. At the time of his death, Smith was regarded as one of the most successful African-American designers in the fashion industry.[1] His company, WilliWear Limited, launched in 1976 and by 1986 grossed over $25 million in sales.[1] After Smith's death, his business partner, Laurie Mallet, continued the line with various designers creating collections. Without Smith, the company floundered and due to financial problems and poor sales, WilliWear Limited ceased production in 1990.[2] WilliWear was the first clothing company to create womenswear and menswear under the same label. The accessibility and affordability of Smith's clothing helped to democratize fashion.
- ^ a b James, George (April 19, 1987). "Willi Smith, Clothes Designer; Creator of Vivid Sportswear". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Hochswender, Woody (June 5, 1990). "Patterns". The New York Times. Retrieved January 16, 2020.