Black Fashion Designers setting trends for the Culture in 2024

In an industry that values artistry and creativity, there is a group of talented individuals who have contributed to the fashion world with their unique perspectives and innovative designs: Black fashion designers. From breaking down barriers to redefining beauty standards, these trailblazers are reshaping the narrative of fashion and championing inclusivity in an industry that has often excluded them. Here are 12 Black fashion designers who are making a mark in the industry.

Famous Black fashion designers who are making an impact

Telfar Clemens 

With a growing audience of 1.4 million Instagram followers, Telfar has received critical acclaim for his unconventional designs and unisex aesthetic. He has carved a distinctive path in the fashion industry with his commitments to inclusivity and accessibility, making his brand a symbol of empowerment and self-expression. He has partnered with brands like UGG and Converse, and the Telfar shopping bag has become the latest must-have accessory.https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtPKrero2TD/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1805.5%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Kimora Lee Simmons  

Kimora was a famous fashion model before launching her brand, Baby Phat, in 1999. She revolutionized the urban fashion scene with designs characterized by bold embellishments and bright colors. Her brand candidly celebrates Black culture and gives young Black women an authentic connection to the fashion world. In addition, Kimora has designed collections for Puma and Forever 21 and has amassed an audience of 2.3 million Instagram followers.https://www.instagram.com/p/ClZ4-OVLblW/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A1809.1999999284744%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Dapper Dan 

Dapper Dan is one of the most influential black designers in American fashion. He rose to prominence in the 1980s hip-hop era, pioneering the fusion of streetwear and luxury fashion. Known for his eponymous boutique in Harlem, New York, he became a cultural icon dressing influential figures from the music industry like Jay-Z and LL Cool J. His design choices include the extravagant use of logos and experimentation with leather textiles. He remains a prominent figure in fashion today, with 766K followers on Instagram.https://www.instagram.com/p/CnaMtNvO0jG/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A1812.1000000238419%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

LaQuan Smith  

Since his self-titled brand’s debut in 2013, LaQuan has received praise for his glamorous aesthetic and attention to detail. He’s grown a clientele of high-profile celebrities such as Halle Bailey, Teyana Taylor, and Ciara. His distinctive style has earned him an audience of 732K Instagram followers and a nomination for Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2022 from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.https://www.instagram.com/p/CstUPApNqKJ/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A2716.399999976158%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Victor Glemaud 

Victor has had many roles in the fashion industry including being a publicist, a studio director and a consultant. He found his way back to designing in 2006 when he launched his namesake label of statement knitwear. His collections use modern silhouettes with a mix of vibrant colors and intricate patterns. Victor is also a champion for diversity and representation as he offers extended sizing and emphasizes creating pieces that can be worn by all people. He has 46K followers on Instagram and has designed for actresses Nia Long and Danai Gurira.https://www.instagram.com/reel/CnKW9tnKxwR/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A2753.6999999284744%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Virgil Abloh  

Virgil founded his influential streetwear brand, Off-White, in 2012. The brand has 10.4 million followers on Instagram and has been worn by celebrities like Burna Boy and Beyoncé. He gained recognition for his fusion of high fashion and streetwear, with quotation marks being a common feature in his designs. He was also the artistic director for the Louis Vuitton menswear line, a philanthropist who supported young black business owners, and an accomplished artist whose work was displayed in the Brooklyn Museum. He passed away in 2021, but his impact can still be seen in today’s fashion industry.https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0Ppitpnwe/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A2768.899999976158%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Aurora James  

With 242K followers on Instagram, Aurora is a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. She is the founder and designer behind the fashion brand Brother Vellies. She started it to promote traditional African design practices. In addition to her fashion brand, in 2020, Aurora created the Fifteen Percent Pledge. It’s a non-profit organization encouraging retailers to stock 15% of their supply with products from Black-owned businesses.https://www.instagram.com/p/CtUZyfVprOS/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A3254.600000023842%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Anifa Mvuemba  

Anifa is an African American designer who launched her brand, Hanifa, in 2012 with the idea of creating luxury size-inclusive pieces for women. Her collections garnered positive reviews for statement pieces with bold colors and interesting silhouettes. In 2021 she won the InStyle Future of Fashion Award and designed for Michelle Obama and Tracee Ellis Ross. She has 81.7K followers on Instagram and has a passion for helping to create space for young Black women in the fashion industry.https://www.instagram.com/p/CYH6e9qLnB9/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A3348.100000023842%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Maxwell Osborne  

Maxwell is a co-founder of the popular streetwear brand PUBLIC SCHOOL and creative director of the fashion label anOnlyChild. His unique design choices and craftsmanship earned him the Council of Fashion Designers’ Menswear Designer of the Year and the International Woolmark Menswear Awards. He’s become a dynamic figure in fashion and has 71.2K Instagram followers.https://www.instagram.com/p/BnYr8jQgePO/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A3359.899999976158%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Brandon Blackwood

Brandon started his self-titled, luxury womenswear label in 2008. And with 575K followers on Instagram, Brandon has cemented his status as a star in the fashion industry. Structured minimalist details are a common feature in his designs. He has made custom pieces for the rapper Ice Spice, tennis player Serena Williams and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph. Brandon also has his foundation, where he educates young black creatives about philanthropy and activism.https://www.instagram.com/p/CsXeAFtRALD/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A3697.399999976158%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Felisha Noel

Felisha is the founder and designer behind the clothing brand Fe Noel. She uses influences from her Caribbean heritage and her penchant for bold prints as inspirations for her collections. She has partnered with Target for a swimwear line and was in attendance at the Met Gala, one of the fashion industry’s most prestigious events. She has 186K followers on Instagram and runs educational programs for young girls interested in entrepreneurship.https://www.instagram.com/p/Crva6vluWo_/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A3750.2999999523163%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D

Mowalola Ogunlesi 

Mowalola is a black fashion influencer and designer for her namesake label. She is known for her work with leather and PVC textiles. She has 301K followers on Instagram and received a significant amount of attention for her daring and provocative designs. Her Fall/Winter 2023 collection was featured in Vogue and she has partnered with MGA Entertainment to design a collection for their Bratz Dolls.https://www.instagram.com/p/CMujd-OAlHU/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1080&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fizea.com&rp=%2Fresources%2Fblack-fashion-designers%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A3999.1999999284744%2C%22ls%22%3A432.6999999284744%2C%22le%22%3A1324.1000000238419%7D