12 Black Designers To Watch At NYFW
After speculation regarding the continuance of New York Fashion Week’s Fall Winter 2022 shows due to the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the show must go on! Fashion week is still set to occur and will include virtual and in-person showcases with proper precautions. To kick off NYFW, honor Black History Month, and as an ode to Virgil Abloh and Andre Leon Talley, we highlight 12 Black designers to keep on your radar this season.
BIFC Upcoming Designers
The Black In Fashion Council, in partnership with IMG, is hosting yet another discovery showroom for the Fall Winter 2022 show. The BIFC is a council founded by EIC of The Cut, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, and consultant Sandrine Charles. The mission of their board is “To represent and secure the advancement of Black individuals in the fashion and beauty industry.” To secure the advancement of Black individuals in the industry, BIFC showcases emerging designers at their Discovery Showcases during NYFW. This exhibition will be the fourth showroom since Fall 2020, and this season will feature ten designers.
- Ashya
Ashya is a Brooklyn-Based accessories design label founded by Moya Annece and Ashley Cimone that features contemporary unisex leather bags and luggage. The brand has already partnered with known brands such as Michael Kors and Rosalila.
- Cise
Cise is a Los Angeles-based clothing line founded by Blake Van Putten. Its first and most famous collection was its “Protect Black People” line aligned with Blake’s mission to support the Black Community.
- Dur Doux
Dur Doux is a luxury lifestyle brand founded by the Mother-daughter design duo Cynthia Burt and Najla A. Burt. The design house takes global inspiration and converts it into wearable avant-garde pieces that the average woman can attain.
- Eugene Taylor Brand
Eugene Taylor is a unisex design house founded by Letesha Rene. The design house offers genderless designs that are futuristic and created through an inclusive lens. The brand inspires confidence and celebrates diversity and creativity in the fashion industry.
- Justin Wesley
“My goal is to offer designs & concepts that are completely separated from what is, and what has been – therefore positioning this house as what will be.” -JW
- Keama
Keama is a couture and casual luxury brand founded by Keäma AliceRuth Garrett. Her brand’s mission is to celebrate luxury through Black American resilience while paying homage to the African diaspora.
- Lavie by CK
Lavie By CK is a unisex African-inspired clothing brand founded by Claude Kameni. The brand is a fusion of Kameni’s Cameroon roots and modern styles. Patterns are fundamental to the brand’s designs, and Kameni has become a master at manipulating patterns to create unique garments.
- Megan Renee
Megan Renee is a Los-Angeles based sustainable women’s contemporary brand founded by Megan Smith. The brand’s signature is wearable fashion with bold prints. Sustainability is a massive part of the design process; Megan originally designs and digitally prints her own fabric, which is more sustainable than traditional fabric printing.
- Ndigo Studio
Ndigo Studio was founded by Stylist/Costume designer Waina Chancy and Fashion designer Viviane Valerius. The duo emphasizes the beauty of art and fashion by creating architectural pieces inspired by taking delicate fabrics and making structured garments.
- Salone Monet
Salone Monet is a color-inclusive nude shoe brand founded by CFDA member Salone Monet. Her designs are inspired by the need for color equity in the footwear space. Her shoe has adorned the feet of many celebrities such as Beyonce, Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, and others.
Well Known
LaQuan Smith
LaQuan Smith is no newcomer to NYFW; he’s a very familiar and popular face. His brand is nine years old and has sparked the interest of many fashion icons, including Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian. Smith also has a private order clientele that spans from Lagos to London.
Telfar Clemens
Although Telfar is relatively new, it has grown prevalent quickly. Liberian-American Queer designer Telfar Clemens is the founder of the brand. What began as an accessories brand with just handbags has now extended to clothing. Clemens has had partnerships with well-known brands such as Ugg and Moose Knuckles.
Honorable Mention
Fashion week is experiencing a new event and partnership between UPS, Color of Change, Endeavor Impact, and In the Blk. The showcase will feature three emerging Black designers, House of Aama, Khiry, and Third Crown, as part of its #Changefashion initiative to fight racism and systemic issues in the fashion industry. During the show, UPS will debut a limited-edition 14 piece collection, proceeds, and a $50k grant will go to In the Blk to support black fashion brands.