The fashion industry is slowly taking steps to become more inclusive, with magazines, fashion bloggers, websites, and prominent figures in the industry acknowledging how underrepresented Black people are in the industry. Magazines and online publications have made more of an effort to highlight Black Fashion designers and Black-owned brands. Last year, three Black Fashion Designers took home CFDA awards, while Harper’s Bazaar appointed the first Black Editor-in-Chief of the magazine.
After the Black Lives Matter protests last year, Black editors and other working professionals in the industry started talking about their experiences as a Black person in fashion. Former Fashion Editors, Chrissy Rutherford and Danielle Prescod founded 2BG Consulting, where they teach anti-racism classes to working professionals in the fashion industry. While the industry has made efforts to improve diversity, Black people, especially designers, are still highly underrepresented. Here are five Black-Owned Fashion brands to shop with this Black History Month and beyond!
Pyer Moss
Pyer Moss was founded in 2013 by Kerby Jean-Raymond. The designer, who is from Brooklyn, uses storytelling and activism to captivate people with his collections. Just recently, Vice President, Kamala Harris, wore a custom Pyer Moss coat on the night before the Inauguration. Last year, Jean-Raymond won multiple awards for his designs including Menswear Designer of the Year from the CFDA Awards and Fashion Designer of the year from Harlem’s Fashion Row. In late 2020, the designer was also appointed as the new Global Creative Director of Reebok.
Telfar
If you’ve been keeping up in the world of fashion, then you’ve probably heard of the infamous Telfar bag. Telfar is a fashion brand that was started by Telfar Clemens in 2014. While the brand sells a variety of items including handbags, scarfs, hats, and other apparel, they are best known for their bags, which sell out in a matter of seconds after restock. His handbags have become a signature staple in the Black community and are both affordable and elegant.
Christopher John Rogers
Known for his bold, bright, and funky colors, Christopher John Rogers started his brand in 2016 after graduating from Savannah College of Art and Design and working for Diane Von Furstenberg. Last month, at the Presidential Inauguration, Vice President, Kamala Harris wore a long purple coat by the designer, which has skyrocketed the success of his brand even more. The 26-year-old fashion designer has already made a name for himself in the industry, with the likes of celebrities and political figures like Beyonce, AOC, and SZA wearing his designs.
Lavie by CK
Lavie by CK was started by Claude Kameni. The designer is known for incorporating elements of African Print and Silk into her pieces. The brand has been featured in publications such as Essence, Vanity Fair, Allure, and Glamour, and was also featured in ABC’s hit show, “Black-ish”.
Sergio Hudson
Sergio Hudson is the latest designer that has been all the talk in the industry. Last month, Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a coat by him at the Presidential Inauguration. He also designed Kamala Harris’s outfit for the swearing in ceremony before the inauguration. Hudson has also worked with celebrities such as Beyonce, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Saweetie.
Lauryn Jiles
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