The Influential Black Fashion Designers You Should Know

From Kimora Lee Simmons and P Diddy to Kanye West and Virgil Abloh, here are the greatest African American and Black fashion designers to know about.

Influential Black Fashion Designers
Complex Original

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Influential Black Fashion Designers

While black fashion designers are a rarity in the industry, there are many who have made great strides—not only in their designs, but in creating opportunities for other designers of color. That's why we wanted to highlight some of the notable names whose ideas and innovations have helped shape the course of fashion. 

So what better time than February, Black History Month, to appreciate their contributions? From avant-garde designers with inspirations from underground subcultures, master tailors still at the top of their game, and a couturier who designed Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress, these are influential black fashion designers you should know. Not everyone on this list is a traditional designer, but they've all had a hand in creative directing a collection and impacting the industry.

Dapper Dan

Dapper Dan

Patrick Kelly

Patrick Kelly

Stephen Burrows

Stephen Burrows

Andre Walker

Andre Walker

Martine Rose

Martine Rose

Kanye West

Kanye West

Shayne Oliver

Shayne Oliver

Sean Combs

Puff Daddy Sean John

Virgil Abloh

Virgil Abloh

Ann Lowe

ann lowe

Willi Smith

Willi Smith

Kimora Lee Simmons

Kimora Lee Simmons

Grace Wales Bonner

Grace Wales Bonner

Duro Olowu

Duro Olowu

Arthur McGee

Arthur McGee

Jeffrey Banks

Jeffrey Banks

Scott Barrie

Scott Barrie

Joe Casely-Hayford

Joe Casely Hayford

Telfar Clemens

Teflar Clemens

Jerry Lorenzo

Jerry Lorenzo

Kerby Jean-Raymond

Kerby Jean Raymond

b michael

b michal

Edward Wilkerson

Edward Wilkerson

Russell Simmons

Russell Simmons

Maxwell Osborne

Maxwell Osborne

Olivier Rousteing

Olivier Rousteing

Patrick Robinson

Patrick Robinson

Andrew Ramroop

Andrew Ramroop

Ozwald Boateng

Ozwald Boateng

Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese

Nija Battle

Nija Battle

Byron Lars

Byron Lars Influential Black Designer

Edward Buchanan

EDWARD BUCHANAN influential Black designer

April Walker

April Walker Influential Black Designer

One of the early pioneers of streetwear, April Walker of Walker Wear became an entrepreneur at the ripe age of 20. Growing up, Walker had an innate love for hip-hop and style, but it wasn’t until she visited Dapper Dan’s shop in Harlem that she discovered her own interest in designing clothes. In the late ‘80s, she started her first atelier Fashion in Effect out of her home as an effort to service the hip-hop lifestyle through fashion. She became a stylist on music videos for artists such as Run-DMC, Naughty By Nature, and Aaliyah, and finally debuted Walker Wear in 1990. The line featured baggier silhouettes, pants with lower pockets, and included a muted color scheme that would complement an existing wardrobe. At this time streetwear was synonymous with rap culture and Walker cemented herself as a top player in the streetwear game during its golden age. Walker Wear was also one of the first celebrity endorsed brands getting co-signs from the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Jay-Z, in addition to being one of the first streetwear brands to be picked up by major retailers and department stores like Macy’s, Dillards, Foot Locker and Finish Line. Some of the classic Walker Wear designs were included in the films Straight Outta Compton (2015) and All Eyez On Me (2017). She celebrated the brand’s 25th anniversary in 2015 with a Walker Wear relaunch.  

Karl Kani

Karl Kani Influential Black Designer

Carl Jones and Thomas “TJ” Walker

Cross Colours Carl Jones Thomas TJ Walker

Scott Sasso

Scott Sasso 10 Deep Influential Black Designer

Daymond John, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin, and Carlton Brown

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