Fashion Design in Detroit: Brandon Little and D’Wayne Edwards in Conversation

Join us at Cranbrook Art Museum for a conversation between Brandon Little, Director of Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, Founder and President of Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. Each will discuss their unique journey as designers and their path to create space for the next generation. 

Dr. D’Wayne Edwards launched his remarkable career as an entry-level footwear designer for LA Gear at just 19 years old in 1989. Over the past three decades, he has amassed an impressive array of accolades, including the Fashion Maverick Award at the 2025 American Apparel & Footwear Association American Image Awards, the Red Dot Award, the three-time Mercedes-Benz Fashion Award, as well as being awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award by President Barack Obama. Edwards boasts an extensive portfolio, having designed over 50 patented products and 500 footwear styles for iconic musicians such as Tupac, Notorious B.I.G, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Nas. His designs have been worn by athletes competing in six different Olympic Games and have graced the stadiums of all major professional sports leagues, adorning the feet of greats like Derek Jeter, Carmelo Anthony, and Michael Jordan.

In 2010, Edwards established PENSOLE, the first academy in the United States dedicated solely to footwear design, located in Portland, Oregon. PENSOLE has quickly become the preeminent footwear design school, securing partnerships with the industry’s top brands and retailers. The school has placed over 800 of its alumni in positions at leading brands, including Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Brooks, Vans, Puma, Timberland, The North Face, JORDAN, and Zenga, among others.