Ruth E. Carter and PLC Detroit Unveil adidas Apparel STU/DEO at Black Footwear Forum

Ruth E Carter PLC Detroit Collaboration Unveils adidas Apparel STU/DEO at Black Footwear Forum

DETROIT, MI — In a powerful union of culture, creativity, and community, two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has partnered with PLC Detroit, the only design-focused Historically Black College and University (HBCU), to launch the Apparel Creation STU/DEO by adidas. The unveiling took place during the 6th Annual National Black Footwear Forum (BFF), in collaboration with the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA).

The forum, widely known as “The Industry’s Homecoming,” served as a fitting backdrop for a launch that redefines what it means to shape Black design futures. The new apparel STU/DEO celebrates legacy and innovation, empowering the next generation of Black creatives with real-world, industry-backed opportunities.

“When I was a young designer, I hoped for places like the Apparel STU/DEO,” said Ruth E. Carter. “Moments like this remind us that design is more than fashion—it is storytelling, it is culture, it is legacy.”

Carter—an HBCU alumna of Hampton University—made history as the first Black person to win an Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Black Panther and became the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars with Wakanda Forever. With a career spanning more than three decades and 70+ film credits, she continues to influence generations through both mentorship and design excellence.

Empowering Detroit’s Creative Future

The creation of the Apparel STU/DEO is more than symbolic—it is a working design space shaped with contributions from PLC Detroit alumni Angel Buckens and Rodney Banks, both of whom played key roles in the concept and execution of the project.

Detroit muralist and fine artist Sydney G. James created a vibrant custom mural that anchors the space in local culture and visual storytelling. The artwork, alongside the new studio’s cutting-edge tools, will serve as daily inspiration for students and designers.

“This marked the second time PLC collaborated with Ruth E. Carter,” said Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit. “It was truly special to share this moment with over 1,000 BFF attendees, alongside our talented students and dedicated faculty.”

Black Footwear Forum: Owning Power, Defining the Future

Hosted annually, the Black Footwear Forum (BFF) is a dynamic platform that unites professionals, students, and changemakers in the world of design and fashion. This year’s theme, “Owning Your Power and Defining the Future,” aligned directly with the mission of Carter and PLC Detroit’s collaboration—centering Black voices in design leadership and offering a space for students to imagine new possibilities.

The launch of the STU/DEO serves as a beacon for what is possible when historical legacy, cultural storytelling, and educational empowerment meet on equal ground.

SOURCE Pensole Lewis College

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