Black women are the trendsetters when setting the pace for what fashion looks and clothing items are in style.
Black women push the culture forward with their dynamic ideas, innovative creations and daring, bold looks. Carrying the fashion industry is a feat that comes naturally. It is often imitated, but can never be duplicated. As much attention as the stylish ensembles receive online and in person, the designers behind the dynamic pieces also deserve recognition.
Here is a breakdown of four young, Black female designers making waves in fashion and disrupting the industry for future generations to follow.
Tia Adeola
If you find fashion inspiration from high-profile celebrities like SZA or Kali Uchis, it is more than likely that their clothing was designed by this New York-based fashion creative. At only 25 years old, Adeola has made headway in a cutthroat industry, as the founder and designer behind her eponymous brand. Known for her sheer, ruffled garments, she draws inspiration from the Renaissance period. Her ultimate goal is to “rewrite history through fashion, particularly for people of color.”
Alexis Barber
When you think of self-care, you should think of Alexis Barber’s cozy robe collection. The multi-hyphenate started Too Collective, where she sells comfortable robes. Barber founded her company on the premise of helping ambitious women on their wellness and self-care journey by providing essential tools that represent leisure. On top of running a business, the entrepreneur is also a content creator. Her videos consist of daily vlogs that capture her life as a Wharton business student and occasional branded content.
Kyemah McEntyre
McEntyre is the mastermind behind infusing bold and vibrant prints into her designs. The fashion designer garnered national attention after a prom dress she designed for herself went viral. “Power” actress Naturi Naughton caught a glimpse of the trending piece and reached out to McEntyre to create a red carpet dress for her. From there, her work became well-known across the industry. She began collaborating with other celebrities, like Janet Jackson and Tyra Banks. Her other creative talents include her artwork, jewelry and more one-of-a-kind collections.
Aurora James
This fashion designer founded Brother Vellies, a luxury accessories brand. Since creating the brand in 2013, her custom pieces have been seen on Solange, Beyoncé, Zendaya, Nicki Minaj and others. In addition to her fashion pursuits, her advocacy of closing the racial wealth gap led her to start the Fifteen Percent Pledge in 2020. The activist partnered with retailers to urge companies to fill 15 percent of their shelf placements with Black-owned businesses.