DESIGN WITH A PURPOSE

OLD NAVY TAPS

ART & DESIGN

ALUM TO CREATE

BLACK HISTORY

MONTH T-SHIRT

By Lisa Intrabartola

Courtesy of Rutgers Today

Less than a month after earning her MFA from Mason Gross, a T-shirt Grace Lynne Haynes designed for Black History Month hit the racks at Old Navy. Haynes is the latest artist of color to partner with Old Navy’s Project We graphic tee series celebrating diversity. The shirt showcases her signature style: a Black female figure outfitted in bold colors and surrounded by fanciful birds.

“The faces of the women are not specific. I feel like anyone can see themselves in the women in my paintings,” Haynes said of her work.

“I really like birds because they represent freedom. Particularly for Black women, it’s important to find ways to be free in our everyday life.”

The opportunity to collaborate with the global retailer came in August when 15 Percent Pledge founder and fashion designer Aurora James spotted Haynes’ work on Instagram. Launched in 2020, the 15 Percent Pledge encourages retailers to reserve 15 percent of their shelf space for Black entrepreneurs.

Old Navy embraced the 15 Percent Pledge last summer, donating $500,000 to the nonprofit and expanding its Project We series.

“The 15 Percent Pledge was a huge part of me saying yes. They have collaborated with so many artists of color in the past, so I knew this was a legit project I wanted to be a part of,” says Haynes. “Even in our Zoom conversations, they were very sensitive to the topic and wanted to make sure it represented me as an artist and a Black woman.” in February. “And I would hope it would stimulate their imagination somewhat.”

This isn’t the first time Haynes’s work has been shared with wide audiences. In 2020, two of her paintings made the cover of The New Yorker; she’s also been featured in Forbes’ “30 Under 30 in Art and Style.”

After James shared one of Haynes’s designs with her Instagram followers, Old Navy spotted it and asked Haynes to participate in Project We. She submitted three designs for their consideration. The one the clothing store selected is now a bestseller.

“I hope it makes those wearing it feel empowered,” she says of the T-shirt that she could be seen sporting on Old Navy’s website and Instagram stories

Still, Haynes says the MFA experience helped her take risks, refine her voice as an artist, understand the psychology of color, and verbalize her work with more clarity.

“I remember one of my professors at Rutgers said to make art for the little girl in you. What would that little girl see? What would she need to see?” she says. “I feel so blessed to live in this time where we are open to different artists of different backgrounds. When I saw my little cousin in my shirt, it was so inspiring. I hope it helps little girls to know what’s possible for them too.”