Inaugural poet and former National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman won the hearts of Americans around the country after reciting her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” in Washington D.C. to welcome Joe Biden into the White House. Previously, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Gorman’s books soared to the top spots on Amazon’s bestsellers list in addition to her two upcoming book projects.
This week, the poet has another accomplishment to add to her list — signing with IMG Models. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gorman will be represented by the leading modeling agency, which will secure editorial opportunities and brand endorsements for her.
The 22-year-old Harvard grad has already become a style icon after her appearance at the Inauguration ceremony. Her yellow Prada coat and red headbands have resulted in thousands of Google searches and sold-out inventories from trendy
clothing stores from customers looking to capture Gorman’s look. According to Vogue, the headband from Prada has been sold out since the ceremony.“Amanda Gorman’s vision and quest for a more sustainable future are an immense source of inspiration for the Prada Group,” said a spokesperson from the luxury brand in an interview with WWD. “…Amanda Gorman inspired the audience, as well as all panelists, through her speech urging to reframe the whole perception on sustainability.”
The move is also seen as strategic by many industry insiders as many brands are looking to partner with models and spokesperson that embody that social justice and proactive spirit from the Gen Z generation, especially in the current political climate.
“Customers are boycotting the products of companies whose values they view as contrary to their own. Investors are migrating to ESG
[environmental, social, and governmental] funds,” global consulting firm McKinsey & Co said in its quarterly report, according to WWD.“And the majority of employees in the corporate world feel ‘disengaged’; they are agitating for decisions and behaviors that they can be proud to stand behind and gravitating toward companies that have a clear, unequivocal, and positive impact on the world. Organizations turning a blind eye will face inevitable blowback.”