Ayana Gordon is Rewriting the Rules of Fashion... One Show at a Time

When Ayana Gordon launched ANG Model Management, she wasn’t just building an agency, she was reshaping the future of fashion. A visionary in every sense, Ayana is a creative force blending fashion, culture, and technology to spotlight the overlooked and uplift the underrepresented. As the Co-Founder and Director of Introspective Innovations Fashion Week, she’s pushing past the boundaries of traditional fashion spaces; creating room for innovation, identity, and intention to take center stage.

In this exclusive Women for the Culture Q&A, Ayana shares how she's building new tables instead of waiting for a seat, her bold plans for 2025, and why fashion is (and always has been) a tool for liberation.

W4TC: You’re building more than a modeling agency; you’re building a movement. What inspired the creation of ANG Model Management, and how has that vision evolved since its inception?

AG: ANG Model Management was created to disrupt traditional beauty standards and give overlooked talent a real platform. I saw a need for an agency that not only booked models but developed them into brands and leaders. Since launching, our vision has evolved into a full movement, one that empowers models to be creatives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, giving them confidence to achieve anything and not just faces in front of a camera.

W4TC: As Co-Founder of Introspective Innovations Fashion Week, what gap did you see in traditional fashion weeks that IIFW now fills?

AG: As Co-Founder of Introspective Innovations Fashion Week, we saw a major gap in how traditional fashion weeks excluded innovative, underrepresented designers — either because they were overlooked or couldn’t afford the high costs tied to major shows. IIFW was created to change that. We built a platform not only to showcase their work, but to spotlight who the designer is, highlighting the psychological process, inspiration, and intention behind their innovations.

W4TC: You’ve produced five major fashion showcases. Can you describe one that felt especially groundbreaking or meaningful for you?

AG: All five showcases have been impactful to our growth, but our collaboration with FORBESBLK was the most groundbreaking. It marked a major moment where we broke barriers by merging fashion with the Forbes brand, proving that fashion isn’t just creative — it’s a driving force in global economic growth. Being allowed to produce that experience for FORBESBLK was a powerful validation of our vision and a bold step in exposing the true impact of fashion through a platform that historically hadn't centered it.

W4TC: Fashion, technology, and culture aren’t often spoken about in the same sentence. How do you successfully merge those elements into your productions?

AG: We merge fashion, technology, and culture by focusing on exclusivity and intentional collaboration. Our goal is to create productions that feel innovative and ahead of the curve. By bringing together different industries, we show that fashion doesn’t operate in isolation, it’s deeply connected to tech, culture, and business. Every element we include is designed to highlight how these worlds intersect and influence one another.

W4TC: Representation is a core theme in your work. How do you intentionally empower underrepresented models and designers through ANG and IIFW?

AG: Representation is at the heart of everything we do. Through ANGMM, we intentionally scout and develop models who are often overlooked, giving them real opportunities, professional guidance, and the tools to build lasting careers. With IIFW, we provide underrepresented designers with a platform that not only showcases their work but tells their stories and highlights the why behind their creations. It’s about visibility, but also about value, making sure their voices are heard and respected in spaces that have historically excluded them.

W4TC: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced breaking into high-level fashion production as a Black woman, and how have you navigated them?

AG: Breaking into high-level fashion production as a Black woman comes with real challenges, from the competitiveness of the industry to the lack of access to sponsorships and funding. Many times, I’ve had to prove my value twice as hard just to be considered. But I’ve navigated it by staying consistent, building strong relationships, and creating opportunities when they weren’t given. I’ve learned to lead with innovation and let the quality of our work speak for itself. That’s how we are striving to still earn our seat at the table while also creating our table.

W4TC: Your next evolution is ANG Creative Studios. What sparked this expansion, and how will it shift what clients and creatives can expect from you?

AG: ANG Creative Studios was sparked by the need to go beyond model management and offer full-scale creative support. We saw that many of our clients and talent needed help with branding, visuals, content, and strategy, not just representation. This expansion allows us to serve as a one-stop creative partner, offering everything from campaign production to brand storytelling. It’s a shift toward helping both clients and creatives build impactful, elevated, and cohesive brands from the ground up.

W4TC: Fashion is storytelling. What kinds of stories are you most passionate about telling through your work?

AG: I’m most passionate about telling stories that reflect authenticity, resilience, and innovation, especially from voices that have been overlooked. Whether it's through a model’s journey or a designer’s creative process, I aim to highlight the why behind the work. Fashion is more than aesthetics; it’s a reflection of identity, culture, and the times we’re living in. I want every production to feel personal, intentional, and rooted in something real.

W4TC: In an industry often shaped by Eurocentric standards, how do you ensure authenticity and cultural relevance in your casting and creative direction?

AG: To ensure authenticity and cultural relevance, we prioritize celebrating diverse backgrounds and stories in every casting and creative decision. We actively seek talent who bring their true selves and unique perspectives, rather than fitting into narrow, Eurocentric ideals. Our creative direction is rooted in respect and collaboration, allowing culture to inform the vision genuinely.

This approach not only challenges industry norms but also creates work that resonates deeply and feels truly representative.

W4TC: What role do strategic partnerships play in your long-term vision, and what kinds of collaborators are you looking to align with next?

AG: Strategic partnerships are key to scaling our impact and expanding the reach of both ANG Model Management and Introspective Innovations Fashion Week. They allow us to combine strengths, access new audiences, and create more dynamic, innovative experiences. Moving forward, we’re looking to align with collaborators who share our commitment to innovation, diversity, and creativity, whether that’s forward-thinking brands, tech companies, cultural institutions, or media platforms ready to push boundaries alongside us.

W4TC: What advice would you give to young creatives (especially women of color) looking to disrupt the fashion industry on their terms?

AG: My advice to young creatives, especially women of color, is to stay resilient even when you feel overlooked or like you’re having to fight twice as hard. Don’t give up. The more persistent and resilient you are, something will happen, and your time will come. That’s what I hold onto every day, knowing that one day, when I look up, my work and drive will speak for itself. Keep pushing, because your breakthrough is closer than you think.

W4TC: “Women for the Culture” is about honoring the trailblazers, the creators, and the changemakers. What does that phrase mean to you, personally and professionally?

AG: “Women for the Culture” means everything to me. First of all, I’m honored to even be seen as such because I’m still working incredibly hard—not just to make things work for myself, but for the people I represent. It’s about lifting up those who come after us, creating opportunities, and paving the way so that future generations of women, especially women of color, can thrive and lead without having to fight the same battles. It’s both a personal mission and a professional responsibility I carry proudly every day.

W4TC: What's next for you in 2025? Any major productions, partnerships, or launches we should keep our eyes on?

AG: For 2025, we have a few exciting projects in the works and are hopeful they all come to fruition. Our main focus is securing strategic partnerships for the upcoming Fall 2025 NYFW, aiming to elevate both IIFW and ANGMM. We’re committed to building lasting, impactful, and sustainable companies that continue to push innovation and representation in fashion. Stay tuned, big things are on the horizon.

Ayana Gordon is not just modeling a new standard for fashion; she’s modeling purpose, power, and possibility for the next generation. Through ANG Model Management, IIFW, and her upcoming ANG Creative Studios, she is cementing herself as a changemaker dedicated to reimagining what the fashion industry can look like when Black women lead. Her story is a reminder that vision backed by action doesn’t just create waves; it creates movements.

To follow Ayana’s journey and support her work:

📍IG: @angmodelmanagement

📍IG: @introspectiveinnovationsfw

📍IG: @angworldwideceo