Telfar Clemens' unisex fashion brand Telfar was launched long before the bigger fashion houses started jumping on the gender-fluid bandwagon.
Her work challenges racial stereotypes and champions the natural beauty of Black women.
Telfar Clemens has always spoken for the marginalized through his fashion.
Kyemah McEntyre went viral in 2015 with her dashiki print high school prom dress. Her design was such a hit that she went on to display her work at New York Fashion Week.
Romeo Hunte is a master of street style and is particularly known for his outerwear.
Kerby Jean-Raymond is the American-Haitian founder and designer of the brand Pyer Moss. His clothes tell a story and his runways have become a key fixture at fashion week every year.
He celebrates women's bodies of all sizes and wants to give his customers confidence and attitude. He collaborated with ASOS to make a more affordable version of his designs available to a wider audience.
The theme of his 2019 collection was the erasure of Black narratives in popular culture. He paid homage to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a singer from the 1930s who is thought to be the godmother of rock and roll, although her story has been terribly neglected in music history.
She founded her brand Brother Vellies after a seminal trip to Morocco, which started her quest to preserve African shoe-making techniques and provide jobs to local artisans.
LaQuan Smith's designs have been spotted on celebs like Kendall Jenner and Beyoncé, from Instagram to the red carpet.
His designs have been seen on Zendaya and Beyoncé.
Canadian designer Aurora James is dominating the footwear industry with her trendsetting designs. Her furry strappy sandals have been the go-to for stylists and fashion editors everywhere.
Carly Cushnie launched her brand Cushnie in 2008 and says she aims to serve the needs of the modern woman. Her designs focus on perfectly fitting the female form.
She has dressed Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Biel, to name but a few.
Nigerian designer Dumebi Iyamah's work is inspired by the patterns and colors of her home country.
She uses soft feminine fabrics in vibrant colors, designed to complement a darker skin tone.
Christopher John Rogers' bold designs won him the CFDA’s (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Fashion Fund Award in 2019. He's loved by celebs including Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Michelle Obama.
Dapper Dan is an iconic character in the world of hip-hop fashion. In the 80's, he tailored original designs for rappers, but was shut down for using designer brand logos without their permission.
Grenadian designer Fe Noel is famous for her stunning resort wear collections.
In 2018, a collaboration with Gucci revived his brand. He now has a Gucci atelier in his home neighborhood of Harlem, New York City.
The feminine fabrics and strong colors combine her cultural roots with a modern elegance.
Anifa Mvuemba is an incredible young Congolese designer who took part in Teen Vogue's 'Generation Next' project.
Pictured here is the incomparable Dominique Jackson, star of the hit show 'Pose,' in her Victor Glemaud gown at the Met Gala in 2019.
She prides herself on designing for Black women and "women without limits." Her clothes are made in sizes (US) 0-20.
Victor Glemaud's designs focus on knitwear and modernizing classic silhouettes. His clothes bring joy to the wearer and those around them.
Austrian-Nigerian designer Kenneth Ize gained recognition when he became a Louis Vuitton prize finalist.
He brings his roots to the runway by working with artisans from Nigeria, using centuries-old weaving techniques in his clothes.
See also: Black LGBTQ icons who made (and are making) history
Her pieces are emotional, blending traditional African fabrics with European silhouettes. She believes that clothing is a form of communication.
Amaka Osakwe is a Nigerian-born designer with many famous fans, including Issa Rae, Michelle Obama, and Lupita Nyong’o.
He blew the roof off New York Fashion Week 2019 with dresses like this one!
The Black Lives Matter movement has brought a new awareness of racial injustice to the world: an awareness that not all stories are equally told and not all talents are given equal opportunity. One of the resulting calls to action is to support Black-owned businesses and Black talent. The incredible designers featured in this gallery are an amazing example of exactly that. Their work is exceptional in its own right, but also provides a cultural education and brings new voices into the sartorial conversation.
Click through to see 15 of the best designers on the fashion scene.
Black fashion designers you absolutely need to know
These groundbreaking designers deserve the spotlight!
FASHION Designs
The Black Lives Matter movement has brought a new awareness of racial injustice to the world: an awareness that not all stories are equally told and not all talents are given equal opportunity. One of the resulting calls to action is to support Black-owned businesses and Black talent. The incredible designers featured in this gallery are an amazing example of exactly that. Their work is exceptional in its own right, but also provides a cultural education and brings new voices into the sartorial conversation.
Click through to see 15 of the best designers on the fashion scene.