Friday, March 29, 2024

Black Designers to Support Instead of Gucci and Prada – VIDEO

*It is still hard to believe that 2019 accounts for just under one percent of Black designers in major e-commerce websites and department stores. This is, however, the harsh truth.

Unless we start supporting a more diverse group of brands and labels, these numbers are going to fall.

Don’t know where to begin? Well, here is our list of most talented Black designers for 2019 and we’re sorry if we are missing a couple of names.

1.     Ouigi Theodore

This man was the actual founder of the boutique called Brooklyn Circus Clothing and the name says it all. His collection is truly unique and is a blend of contemporary and traditional designs that are derived from vintage brands. His style has been described by people to be preppy, fop, Anglophile, and some even called it dandy.

Mr. Theodore says that he wants to “refine the image of urban America. My dream is to see guys hanging on the corner in suits.”

2.     Darlene and Lizzy Okpo

2019 has also brought us a new sister duo like the sibling duos we saw in The Row and Rodarte. Both Darlene and Lizzy are clearly influenced by their love for 90s hip-hop and have now come up with their own label called William Opko. Their label was named after their father who had dressed so well in the 70s that the sisters were inspired to come up with their designs.

Their designs even inspired Solange Knowles into collaborating with them for the Puma Disc Sneaker. This eventually led to the sisters opening their first flagship store.

Dao Yi Chow and Maxwell Osbourne (getty)
Dao Yi Chow and Maxwell Osbourne (Getty)

3.     Maxwell Osborne

Osborne along with his partner Dao Yi-Chow came up with a brand called Public School NYC. This brand has been able to win praise from Conde Nast’s artistic director and American Vogue’s Anna Wintour as well as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The duo had originally begun as a menswear brand but they have slowly transitioned towards women’s wear as well in February 2014. These people have also been the brilliant designers working behind the scene for DKNY.

4.     Tracy Reese

Reese had graduated in 1984 from the Parsons School of Design and has since managed to work as a designer for Perry Ellis. Reese kickstarted her own line in 1996 and launched another line called Plenty in 1998. It’s surprising that not many people know about her since her fashion items can be found in Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom.

Other than these rising stars, you definitely need to check out Ituen Basi, Dexter & Bryon Peart, Andrea Iyamah, Armando Cabral, and Jerome Lamaar among so many more. Trust us, you wouldn’t need the likes of Prada and Gucci anymore!

 

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