ABOUT US
Color of Fashion, a non-profit organization founded by visionary Black female entrepreneurs Samantha Joseph and Alicia Myers, is transforming the fashion industry by advancing inclusivity, diversity, and racial equality.
Our mission is to elevate all colors of fashion and beauty, emphasizing their crucial role in advancing racial equality. By shining a spotlight on underrepresented talents from diverse backgrounds, we challenge conventional norms and reshape perceptions of beauty and style. We create luxurious showcases that redefine standards and elevate innovation within the industry,
Together, We Are Stronger.
CONTACT US
Marketing: cofmarketingteam@gmail.com | Events: cofcoevents@gmail.com | Founders: coloroffashionco@gmail.com
Our Founders
SAMANTHA JOSEPH
Founder Samantha Joseph holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from Columbia College Chicago and a Culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu Chicago. Despite exploring different paths, her unwavering passion for fashion drew her back to the industry. In 2020, Samantha launched NWἉ Magazine, where she now serves as CEO, dedicated to creating a safe and empowering platform for showcasing Black talent. With a strong belief in elevating Black art, she is committed to turning this vision into reality through her magazine. Beyond her role as CEO, Samantha is an accomplished professional model, with features in Forbes, Vogue, and Lady Gunn magazine, among others. Her extensive experience in the fashion industry includes walking the runways of NYFW, DFW, and CFW, as well as her initial work backstage at Chicago Fashion Week in 2012, where she played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the show for both models and designers
ALICIA MYERS
Founder Alicia Myers earned her BA in Business Management from Metro State University of Denver. With over a decade of experience in stocks, banking, law enforcement, and fraud, Alicia has a strong business background and is a natural leader who excels at building relationships. While her early years were filled with fashion shows and a passion for America’s Next Top Model, it was at age 8 when she picked up a basketball and became deeply dedicated to perfecting her skills, eventually playing through grade school and college. However, Alicia’s passion for modeling remained strong, leading her to fully immerse herself in the industry without looking back. Over time, she expanded her expertise to include styling and creative directing. As a model, Alicia has graced the pages of VOGUE, Westword, Sheen Magazine, Cosmopolitan, and many others, working with clients such as Popsockets and Artifact Uprising. Her talent for creative directing led to her role as the Creative Director for NWἉ Magazine. Alicia is committed to empowerment through inclusivity and is driven to do whatever it takes to achieve this vision.
OUR TEAM
CHANTEL OSTHEIMER, BRANDING DIRECTOR
Chantel Ostheimer, Director of Branding with a Master’s degree in Fashion Marketing, combines her extensive experience in K-6th grade education with her expertise in fashion marketing. With 11 years in education, she has developed strong communication and relationship-building skills that she seamlessly transferred into her roles in the fashion industry. Chantel has worked with a digital creative entrepreneur and a fashion magazine, focusing on content creation, influencer management, and social media strategy. She then transitioned into luxury hospitality as a Brand Manager, where she integrated her educational background with fashion to create high-end brand experiences. Her work includes creative direction for fashion shoots, conceiving fashion shows, and consulting for startup brands. As a key member of the Color of Fashion initiative, Chantel is dedicated to empowering diverse voices by bridging the worlds of education and fashion, and she is now preparing to launch her own fashion line, reflecting her commitment to innovation and inclusivity.
VANESSA SAMUEL, MEDIA PERSONALITY
As a media personality, fashion and lifestyle photographer, and content creator, Vanessa has over 10 years of experience working in the fashion and beauty industries between Denver and NYC. Her work includes contributions to New York Fashion Week, Denver Fashion Week, Massif Fashion Week, and the production of her own fashion shows and events in both Denver and New York City. By day, she works as an engineer, and by night, she channels her passion for fashion and beauty. From 2014 to 2019, she authored the blog Vanessaland, exploring the intersection of engineering and fashion. Today, she continues to make her mark as a host and emcee for events across the U.S.
THE CURIO CABINET, PRESS DIRECTORS
Founded by Abby Schirmacher and Jordan McClendon Garcia, The Curio Cabinet is a female-owned digital magazine platform dedicated to providing genuine content to readers interested in fashion, beauty, music, lifestyle, culture and more. The Denver-based team is committed to truth, accuracy, high-quality prose and building relationships with local business owners and community members. A bit of playful tone and humor is sprinkled in along the way to make The Curio Cabinet the publication to bookmark for all things Denver and beyond. Stay curious.(Image: Roxanna Carrasco)
MAIA PARISH, FOOD AND BEVERAGE DIRECTOR
Maia Parish is a Denver-based sommelier, wine writer, educator, events producer, and consultant. With a BA in Journalism and Communications and WSET Level 2 certification, her work spans regional wine storytelling, winemaker profiles, and pairing education. She is the Founder of The Wine Suite LLC, a pairing-focused events company highlighting Black and Brown cultures, women, and LGBTQ+ communities. Maia’s work has earned major recognition, including Event of the Year (2019) for Night in Wakanda and Sommelier of the Year (2024) from Wine and Culture Refined/Hue Society.
A member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado, a mentor with Batonnage Forum, and a collaborator with the James Beard Foundation and Colorado Tourism, Maia also contributes to Somm Journal, Food & Wine, VinePair, Ebony, USA Today, Wine Enthusiast, and 5280 Magazine. Her writing centers on race, community, and food/mood pairings. She has spoken at Assemblage Symposium, Women in Wine, Batonnage Forum, and other industry events.
Find Maia online at @thewinemistress, @thewinesuite, and Bio.site/TheWineSuite.com.