B
lack fashion designers have made a huge impact by bringing their unique style, creativity, and cultural perspective to the fashion world. The industry tended to uphold narrow beauty standards and often overlooked the rich diversity of styles and cultures within the Black community. During this time, black representation in fashion was limited, both on the runway and behind the scenes. Black models faced barriers to entry and were often relegated to token roles in fashion shows and campaigns. Additionally, impactful Black fashion designers struggled to gain recognition and access to mainstream fashion platforms, facing systemic racism and discrimination within the industry.
As a result, the fashion industry lacked diversity and often perpetuated stereotypes about Black style and beauty. It was only through the efforts and successes of impactful Black fashion designers, models, and advocates that the industry began to evolve and embrace a more inclusive and diverse vision of fashion. These folks have broken stereotypes, celebrated Black identity, and empowered people to feel confident in their skin. Through their designs, they’ve shown that Black fashion is diverse, beautiful, and worth celebrating.
Not only have they changed the way people think about fashion, but they have also created opportunities for jobs, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment within Black communities. By speaking out for diversity and inclusion, they’ve made the fashion industry more welcoming and representative of all people. And for this, we celebrate them.
Here are the impactful Black fashion designers that continue to shape Black history…
#1. Tracy Reese
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Tracy Reese is a highly acclaimed American fashion designer born in Detroit, Michigan. Reese developed an early interest in fashion and attended Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she honed her skills and launched her eponymous label in 1998. Reese’s designs are distinguished by their bold colors, intricate patterns, and luxurious fabrics, often inspired by her African-American heritage and global travels. She has received numerous accolades and awards for her contributions to the fashion industry, including the CFDA Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award in 2019.
#2. Dapper Dan
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Also known as Daniel Day, Dapper Dan is a pioneering fashion designer and cultural icon known for his groundbreaking work blending high fashion with streetwear and hip-hop aesthetics. Born and raised in Harlem, New York City, Dan began his career as a street hustler before transitioning into fashion design in the 1980s.
Dapper Dan’s Harlem boutique, known as Dapper Dan’s Boutique, became a cultural landmark and destination for hip-hop artists and enthusiasts seeking one-of-a-kind fashion statements. Today, he continues to be a respected figure in the fashion world, known for his entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and commitment to celebrating Black culture.
#3. Aurora James
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Aurora James is a Canadian-born, New York-based fashion designer and entrepreneur best known for her brand Brother Vellies. She and her brand celebrate African craftsmanship and heritage in a way that is both authentic and innovative. James’s designs incorporate traditional techniques and materials sourced from across the African continent, highlighting the richness and diversity of African culture. Her initiatives, such as the “15 Percent Pledge,” have sparked important conversations about equity and accountability in retail and have inspired tangible change within the industry.
#4. LaQuan Smith
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This is another remarkable figure in the fashion industry who has made significant contributions to changing Black history through his work. As a fashion designer, LaQuan Smith has captured the attention of the global fashion scene with his bold, sexy, and edgy designs. What sets him apart is his ability to redefine contemporary luxury fashion by fusing it with elements of urban streetwear and high-octane glamour. His designs often feature form-fitting silhouettes, daring cutouts, and luxurious fabrics, embodying a sense of confidence, power, and self-expression.
#5. Kerby Jean-Raymond
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Kerby Jean-Raymond is a trailblazing fashion designer and visionary known for his brand Pyer Moss, which has played a transformative role in changing Black history through fashion. Jean-Raymond’s work is distinguished by its powerful storytelling, social commentary, and celebration of Black culture and heritage. Pyer Moss’s collections often draw inspiration from Black history, politics, and activism. The designer uses his platform to shed light on issues such as racial inequality, police brutality, and the African-American experience.
#6. Ann Lowe
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Ann Lowe was a pioneering Black fashion designer who made significant contributions to American fashion history, particularly during the mid-20th century. Despite facing numerous challenges, Lowe achieved acclaim for her exquisite craftsmanship, attention to detail, and timeless designs. One of the most notable achievements of Ann Lowe was creating Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress for her marriage to John F. Kennedy in 1953. The dress, which was crafted with intricate details and luxurious fabrics, remains one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history, solidifying Lowe’s reputation as a master couturier. Throughout her career, Ann Lowe dressed numerous high-profile clients from elite society, including prominent socialites and celebrities.
#7. Kimora Lee Simmons
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Kimora Lee Simmons is a prominent fashion designer, model, and entrepreneur who has created a lasting impact on the fashion industry, particularly in urban streetwear and luxury fashion. She first gained recognition as a model in the 1990s, working with major fashion houses such as Chanel, and becoming known for her striking beauty and confident presence on the runway.
In 1999, Kimora Lee Simmons launched her fashion label, Baby Phat, which quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Baby Phat was one of the first brands to merge streetwear with high fashion, catering to a young, urban demographic with its bold designs, flashy logos, and glamorous aesthetic. Under Simmons’s leadership, Baby Phat became synonymous with urban cool and a favorite among celebrities and trendsetters.
#8. Patrick Kelly
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Born in Mississippi in 1954, Patrick Kelly moved to Paris in the late 1970s to pursue a career in fashion, eventually becoming one of the first American designers to be admitted as a member of the prestigious Chambre Syndicale du Prêt-à-Porter in Paris. Vibrant colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and whimsical embellishments, characterized Kelly’s designs. His designs were highly coveted and worn by leading ladies like Madonna, Princess Diana, and Grace Jones.
#9. Andre Walker
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Born in 1963, Walker made a name for himself in the 1980s and 1990s as a designer known for his avant-garde and boundary-pushing creations. One of Walker’s most significant contributions to fashion was his collaboration with designer Marc Jacobs, for whom he worked as a design assistant. During his time with Jacobs, Walker developed a reputation for his creative vision and innovative approach to design.
#10. Stella Jean
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Born in Rome to a Haitian mother and Italian father, Jean’s multicultural background heavily influences her work, resulting in collections that blend elements of European and African aesthetics. One of the defining features of Stella Jean’s designs is her use of bold prints, vibrant colors, and intricate craftsmanship, often inspired by traditional African textiles and Italian tailoring techniques. Her collections are characterized by their mix of textures, patterns, and silhouettes, creating a unique and visually striking aesthetic.
Featured image: Shikeith for METAL Magazine via @rominastylist/Instagram
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