Hello, this is NPR's Book of the Day. I'm Glenn Weldon. The founder of the luxury brand Brother Vellies has a story that those in the world of high fashion like to point to as a success. And it's true, she started with nothing and had to scrape and claw to build her brand. But her commitment to raising the work of artisans from places far outside the established fashion capitals of the world

was originally resisted and flatly rejected by some of the very same folks who are toasting her work

today. In her new memoir, Wildflower, she spares no details about that hypocrisy and why it fuels her

continuing commitment to expand what high fashion looks like and what it means. James spoke to NPR's Michelle Martin.

In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life.

Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors.

On our new show, Sources and Methods, NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people

helping you understand why distant

events matter here at home. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your

podcasts. If you're a fashionista, then you probably know Aurora James for her luxurious shoes and

accessory sold through her brother Velley's line.

And if you're a social activist, you might know her for the 15% pledge, her effort to get major retailers to commit 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses.

But what you probably don't know is the incredible, sometimes brutal path she and so many

other creatives have had to walk to claim their space in the world of high fashion.

It's a story she tells with unsparing honesty in her new memoir, Wildflower.

And she's here with us now to tell us more.

Aurora, James, welcome.

Thank you for joining us.

Thank you so much for having me, Michelle.

I'm so excited to be here.

Well, yeah, we have spoken before, mainly about the 15% pledge.

And when I've spoken with you, you know, I've experienced you. Is this calm, very clear, very disciplined business person?

...