37 Thriving Black Designers You Should Know

Before February comes to a close, I wanted to spotlight some of the Black designers who are making some of the most dynamic, thought-provoking clothing around the world. Some, like Grace Wales Bonner, Christopher John Rogers, and Telfar Clemens have already reached contemporary icon status. Others, including Idris Balogun, Kingsley Gbadegesin, and Anifa Mvuemba are rising stars to watch—before you know it, their work will be everywhere. Here’s a primer on the creative forces who are making their mark on the global fashion industry by pushing boundaries, challenging norms, experimenting with new and traditional techniques alike, and ultimately using their platforms to help bring awareness to their various cultures.

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Christopher John Rogers

Christopher John Rogers has always made use of of the boldest colors in his collections, and his most recent collection is full of the vibrant hues we all adore!

LaQuan Smith

Known for his high-shine style, LaQuan Smith’s designs are sure to have you feeling a cut above the rest.

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Grace Wales Bonner

The British-Jamaican fashion designer Grace Wales Bonner has been a dominating force in the fashion world, all while being focused on the socioeconomic standing of our black and brown brothers and sisters. ‌

Pia Davis and Autumn Randolph

The co-creators of the brand No Sesso (which means no sex/no gender in Italian), focuses on creating pieces that challenge the status-quo and welcome people from all walks of life.

Matopeda King

Matopeda King’s eponymous Lagos, Nigeria based brand does bridal and evening gowns that are quickly becoming celebrity favorites.

Awet Woldegebriel

Awèt’s latest collection hones in luxurious classics that are as timeless as they are comfortable.‌

Victor Glemaud

Glemaud’s signature knitwear and recent collaboration with the eyewear brand Tura puts the focus on black and brown bodies, and highlights them in the most luxurious way.

Jason Rembert

Jason Rembert’s Aliétte designs have become a favorite for celebrities and streetwear stars alike—you’re just as likely to see his designs on red carpets as out on the town on a Friday night.

Brandon Blackwood

Brandon Blackwood has continued to make waves in the fashion world by way of his iconic Kendrick trunk bag, and has been exploring different creative ventures like the chic sunglasses below.

Bernard James

This Brooklyn-born jewelry designer’s collection includes playful motifs like mushrooms and reflective mirrors.

Theresa Ebagua

Since launching her brand Chelsea Paris in 2012, Theresa Ebagua has continued to create styles that exude a a fresh, jovial energy while remaining effortlessly chic.‌

Sergio Hudson

Sergio Hudson’s brand took off in 2014, and has been consistent with creating designs that exemplify elegance and poise ever since.

Maximilian Davis

In addition to being the creative director at Salvatore Ferragamo, Maximilian Davis pulls from his Trinidadian-Jamaican roots for his own eponymous brand.

Kingsley Gbadegesin

His brand, K.ngsley, is known for its playful, subversive jewelry that incorporates PrEP pills as a design motif—recently he also launched fabulous swimwear and accessories.

James Flemons

A proud advocate for queer rights and equality, Phlemuns designer James Flemons continues to push boundaries with his fluid designs that everyone can feel good in.

Ouigi Theodore

The Brooklyn Circus designer Ouigi Theodore is known for his contemporary menswear pieces that take classic pieces to a new level—even his most recent collaboration with Gap managed to feel both luxe and timeless.

Jeniece Blanchet

Jeniece Blanchet’s brand Jeblanc is beloved for its sculptural, unexpected jewelry that remixes traditional motifs with fresh perspective.

‌Thebe Magugu

Since his first collection in 2017, the South African designer Thebe Magugu has been crafting forward-thinking designs that cater to women who crave clothing with a modern edge.‌

Idris Balogun

The 2022 LVMH Karl Lagerfield Prize winner Idris Balogun continues to dazzle with his fresh modern take on menswear for his brand Winnie.

Jameel Mohammed

Khiry designer Jameel Mohammed has made it a focal point of his brand to highlight black life and culture in his luxurious, modern creations.

Telfar Clemens

Already one of the best known Black designers of this generation, Telfar Clemens successfully tapped into the energy of New York City with his iconic Telfar shopping bag (dubbed “The Bushwick Birkin” for its status appeal). Because the bags are in such high demand, the designer only releases them through intermittent, limited drops.

‌Heron Preston

Preston came back to New York Fashion Week after a three year hiatus and it was like he never left. The energy was felt with each step down the runway.

Taofeek Abijako

Nigerian-born Taofeek Abijako created the brand Head of State as a way to further push his creative endeavors, while also pushing for more conversations to be had about marginalized communities.

Maxwell Osborne

Maxwell Osborne, the founder of AnOnlyChild (a totally upcycled label) and one of the co-founders of Public School, has looked to his culture and upbringing for his most recent collections.

Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece

The duo behind the accessories label ASHYA work to merge utility and style in their elevated travel essentials.

Anifa Mvuemba

‌Bold colors and luxe textures that compliment all of the right curves are exactly what you will find with Anifa Mvuemba’s label, Hanifa.

Martine Ali

This rising jewelry designer has focused on bringing back the classic chain-style jewelry that dominated the early 2000s. Her bold designs incorporate safety pins, lockets, and hooks—offering infinite layering possibilities.

Andrea Iyamah

The Nigerian-born designer continues to stay true to her culture mixing traditional African silhouettes in her designs for a unique wow factor.

Lara Olutunbi

Lara Olutunbi aims to celebrates the beauty of all women in her designs, which include charming tote bags and accessories.

Tiffany Brown

The Atlanta-based designer specializes in both mens and womenswear that ranges from comfort to couture.

Sai Sankoh

Sai ‌Sankoh’s designs are a great mix of vintage glamour and bold colors, taking the mundane and making it extravagant!

Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka

The mother-daughter duo behind House of Aama create clothing as a vehicle for Black storytelling—and every piece is manufactured in Los Angeles.

Moyo Ayodele

The Nigerian-born and Brooklyn-raised designer created Jooel as a way to uplift African and Caribbean women and bring the way they accessorize to the forefront in the jewelry conversation.

Oyindamola Aleshinloye

Kadiju, the Lagos-based fashion house founded by Oyindamola Aleshin, leans towards a more maximalist approach with their confidence-boosting designs.