black designers
-
Homecoming: Virgil Abloh Returns to Chicago With Nike to Empower the City’s Youth
He’s conquered runways from New York City to Paris (and recently garnered significant criticism), but Virgil Abloh’s native Chicago is clearly never far from his heart, as proven by his newest venture. Teaming up with collaborator Nike, Abloh returns to his hometown to launch the NikeLab Chicago Re-Creation Center c/o Virgil Abloh from May 31…
-
Love It or Hate It, Fenty Has Made History: The First Luxury Line by a Black Woman Is Officially Open for Business
In the days since Rihanna teased us with first looks at Fenty Maison, her luxury fashion collaboration with LVMH, excitement has been high—but reviews on the looks remain somewhat mixed (as is true for most lines, so no biggie, there). Will Rih’s high-end debut prove as big a hit as her eight albums (or makeup…
-
You Got Next? Harlem’s Fashion Row Is Hosting Its 1st Designer Retreat—Presented by Nike
When it comes to breaking through in the world of fashion, black designers remain at a disadvantage—which is why fashion lover Brandice Daniel founded Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR), to give much-needed exposure and support the designers who need it most. Twelve years later, the enterprise has grown tremendously, hosting a cadre of celebs at its…
-
Fashion Putting Us First: Pyer Moss Is Having a Pop-Up in NYC!
Lately, it’s been an exciting time to be a fan of Pyer Moss. The 2018 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner has been on a steady climb; last year saw the launch of collaborations with Reebok and Hennessy, while the growing brand also gave major hat tips to black-owned fashion pioneers FUBU and Cross Colours. In the…
-
The 2019 CFDA Award Nominees Have Been Announced—and Man, We Need to Support Black Women Designers
“Every Nigga Is a Star” read Issa Rae’s sash as she posed on the red carpet in her role as host of the 2018 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards (CFDAs)—the first black woman in the event’s history to be honored with a hosting slot (by some reports, the first person of color ever).…
-
Message Received: The CFDA Recognizes Black Female Influence with 2 New Fashion Fund Judges and a Partnership with Harlem's Fashion Row
As the application phase for the 2019 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF) launches Friday, the Council of Fashion Designers of America simultaneously announced two new judges: model Paloma Elsesser and Vogue.com Fashion News Director Chioma Nnadi. The new appointments come in response to significant criticism for the lack of full diversity on previous judging panels, which…
-
Genius or Knock-Off King? After Multiple Plagiarism Accusations, Virgil Abloh Squares Up—Kind Of
Less than a decade after formally launching his design career, Virgil Abloh has experienced unparalleled success in the fashion industry, let alone as a black designer. After launching streetwear label Off-White in 2013—an instant cult favorite that has since gone mainstream—Abloh’s seeming ability to set the pace of fashion’s pulse catapulted him to award-winning fame—and,…
-
Ruth E. Carter Forever: The Costume Designers Guild Celebrates the Black Panther Designer's Brilliance
It’s one of the smaller ceremonies of awards season, but there was big talent recognized on Tuesday night at the 21st annual Costume Designers Guild Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. The queen of the night? Legendary designer Ruth E. Carter, who proved her three decades of influence to be ongoing…
-
Runway to Revolution: Telfar Global Teams Up with Black Lives Matter
As the fashion world recovers from the biannual marathon that is New York Fashion Week (and moves on to London Fashion Week), we’re finally able to pause and reflect on the many hits, misses and coming trends we’ll see in stores come fall. But designer Telfar Clemons sent a more enduring statement down his runway…
-
If Beale Street Could Talk, It Would Likely Compliment Gabrielle Union's Outfit
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an outfit can make a statement all its own. With that in mind, Gabrielle Union’s look spoke volumes when she attended a Tuesday night screening of If Beale Street Could Talk in Los Angeles, Calif. For her moment in front of the paparazzi, Union chose an…