17 gorgeous pieces from Black designers to add to your wardrobe
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The fashion industry is known for its lack of diversity. However, you don't need to be a fashionista to support Black designers. The number of emerging designers that often go unheard of continues to grow every day. Thankfully, you don't need to be a Hollywood insider to know who is hot in fashion. Sometimes all it takes is following a few hashtags on social media.
Whether you are looking for yourself, your family, or friends, you can find something to fit your style and budget. These designers need your support now and every day—buying their designs can help them get funded and get the recognition they need to compete with their peers. Check out their websites, follow them on social media, and spread the word! Here are 17 pieces of fashion by Black fashion designers you can support for Black History Month and beyond.
1. Ankara High Low Summer Top
You can wear this as a cape or as a top and both options will be equally striking. This is made with authentic Ankara African print and its size-inclusive up to a 5x. You can also order a matching headwrap to complete the look. Reviewers are ecstatic over this piece and they are saying that this item is just as vibrant in person but it is also packaged carefully and wrinkle-free on arrival.
Get the Ankara High Low Summer Top from Etsy for $50.96
2. 'Black Is Beautiful' Toddler Sweatshirt
Give your little ones a soft, trendy hoodie with a positive message. The hoodie is part of Target’s Well Worn fashion line, which was born following the success of the corporation’s 2019 Black History Month apparel collection. The collection was helmed by Terri Stevens, director of visual merchandising at Target, and featured designs from designers including Le’Spencer Walker.
This particular sweatshirt will be your child’s favorite thing to wear in no time. It’s ideal for the winter when your toddler needs layers and it’s also a great sweatshirt to wear when the weather is transitioning to have throughout the seasons. Reviewers are saying that this sweatshirt has good quality and the empowering message makes it a family favorite.
Get the 'Black Is Beautiful' Toddler Sweatshirt from Target for $18
3. Chantel Jumpsuit & Bikini Set
Rue 107 has been setting trends in inclusive sizes for years. Celebrities like Ashanti as well as endless models and influencers have embraced the vivacious, trendy, and chic brand. Reviewers are saying that this brand has the best fit, essential pieces that everyone can look good in.
Get the Chantel Jumpsuit & Bikini Set from Rue 107 for $150
4. Carla Silk Dress from Sosomeshop
Now, this dress is a show-stopper! If you want to make a statement during Black History Month or any other time, this dress is made to be up to the challenge. Even though Sosome is located in London, the fashion brand ships internationality. Reviewers are raving that this dress is just as beautiful in person and the craftsmanship is impeccable.
Get the Carla Silk Dress from Etsy for $216.49
5. Long Sleeve “Elephant Futurism” Tee
BK Circus is a Brooklyn, NY, fashion label that mixes style, elegance, and urban sophistication. Their varsity jackets and sweaters have graced a number of fashion publications including Hypebeast and Esquire. When you’re looking for clothes that reflect a posh, urban look while remaining authentic, BK Circus won’t disappoint you.
Get the Long Sleeve "Elephant Futurism" Tee from BK Circus for $65
6. Peloton x Monica Ahanonu Strappy Bra
This year, Peloton partnered with four Black artists to create a one-of-a-kind collection of activewear to reflect Black history through art. Temi Coker, Hust Wilson,
and Monica Ahanonu each brought a unique and diverse perspective of Black diaspora creativity to this collection and the outcome is nothing short of beautiful. Ahanonu used a mix of Caribbean culture to create a vibrant and gorgeous bra design that is ideal for low-impact activities.
Get the Peloton x Monica Ahanonu Strappy Bra from Peloton for $56
7. HBCUs A Different World Long Sleeve Tee
Who didn’t want to go to Hillman college? The fictional television show inspired a generation of Black kids to set their sights on attending and graduating from Historical Black Colleges and Universities, also known as HBCUs. Whether you attended an HBCU or wish you did, everyone can agree that Hillman is still the best school they wished they attended. At Exclusively HBCU, you can rep your school and Black Greek organization with pride.
Get the HBCUs A Different World Long Sleeve Tee from Exclusively HBCU for $32.99
8. Kobe Bryant Icon shirt
Created Out Of Love, better known as COOL, works hard to remain dedicated to its mission statement. The goal is to visualize the Black experience as an agent for change across all industries in the fight for equality. The clothing designs serve as a vehicle to highlight and uplift the Black culture. This Kobe Bryant shirt was designed by the brand’s co-founder Terrence Wilson as an honorary tribute to Bryant’s legendary career.
Get the Kobe Bryant Icon shirt from COOL for $62
9. Eleven 60 Blaze Blazer
One of the most famous contemporary gospel singers is now a fashion designer. Eleven 60 by Kierra Sheard is a modern yet modest collection of plus-size fashions that are ideal for causal working and daytime wear. However, this Aztec-print blazer is anything but boring. It can be dressed up with a skirt or dressed down with jeans or tailored pants. Reviewers are saying this is the most unique jacket they have ever purchased.
Get the Eleven 60 Blaze Blazer from Macy’s for $299
10. Adidas Beyoncé Superstar Platform Sneaker
If you are one of the few lucky influencers to receive Ivy Park, then consider yourself lucky. For the rest of us, we sit on our computers and phones hoping we can buy some Ivy Park before it is all sold out. The Beyoncé and Adidas collaboration has proven to be a success with everyone from tastemakers to soccer moms. These platform sneakers give you comfort as well as a little height so you can practice all of Beyoncé’s moves without shame. Reviewers are saying that they’ve received the most compliments while wearing these shoes and they are a perfect blend of athletic wear and high fashion.
Get the Adidas Beyoncé Superstar Platform Sneaker from Nordstrom for $200
11. Do You See Us Now? Graphic Tee
Nordstrom’s latest project called Black_Space is a carefully curated collection of Black designers and collaborators such as Beth Birkett and Matthew Henson, and it features innovative designers like Bode, Botter, Art Comes First, and many more. The collection has 100 pieces that range from t-shirts to accessories and beauty products. This graphic tee has a right-in-your-face proclamation that’s hard to ignore even if you want to. Even though it’s true to size it still is cut for some extra room.
Get the Do You See Us Now? Graphic Tee from Nordstrom for $195
12. Vegan Suede Bomber Jacket
Even though Black History Month is a short month, soon after, spring will arrive, and you're going to need a beautiful, stylish jacket to welcome the fresh flowers. Designer Chuks Collins is a master of modern style and his made-to-order designs impress fans. This suede jacket won't arrive for a few weeks, but that's because it's custom-made to fit the buyer's own dimensions.
Get the Vegan Suede Bomber Jacket from Chuks Collins for $200
13. Sokhana Kimono Dress
Who doesn't love a dress that's multifunctional and chic? You can wear this as an open kimono during the day and switch it to a dress for the evening. Pair it with bold accessories to channel your inner supermodel. Reviewers are saying this kimono is soft, luxurious, and perfectly cut.
Get the Sokhana Kimono Dress from Diarrablu for $195
14. Open Split Windy Maxi Skirt
If your closet needs a dynamic makeover, here is your new statement piece. This can be worn as a strapless maxi dress or a skirt, which gives you more styling options. The designer, Shawn Denise, wants women to feel like a work of art so she creates pieces that are conversational worthy.
Get the Open Split Windy Maxi Skirt from Paint By Shawn Denise for $120
15. Luca One-Piece
If you are looking for bathing suits in several skin tones then look no further. Matte Collection is a trendy, affordable brand that mixes modern design with diversity. Reviewers praise the brand for having great quality at such an affordable price. This particular swimsuit comes with a 4.5-star rating from reviewers, with one saying it "fits like a glove."
Get the Luca one-piece from Matte Collection for $26
16. Straw and Wool
Do you ever take a gander through your family photos and notice the number of hats people used to wear? No matter what the occasion, you were almost guaranteed to see folks wearing brim hats. Straw and Wool encourages customers to create their history by treating their hats as a staple piece instead of an accessory. Located in Phoenix, AZ, this brand is looking to bring back classic hats to reinvent urban style. This particular hat comes in four colors, perfect for any wardrobe. It's made from 100% Australian Wool and features a satin lining and cotton sweatband.
Get the Tarik from Straw and Wool for $60
17. February x AART Pullover Sweater
This colorblock sweater designed by Shaquita Garcia highlights the names of some of the best entertainers this world has seen. The February collection highlights important women such as Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt, and Diana Ross as heroes who transformed the entertainment industry as well as pop culture. The collection combines traditional Pan-African colors (such as black and green) and combines them with unlikely colors, like red and pink.
Get the February x AART from AART NYC for $69
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