Fashion month is one of the greatest opportunities for emerging designers to make an impact, historically that opportunity has not been given equally.
Curated by the CFDA, this year the New York Fashion Week schedule featured over 25 black-owned brands! This is the greatest representation black creators have had at any NYFW.
Here’s our guide to some of the brands spotted during NYFW this month:
Friday 9th September
APOTTS: This Brooklyn designer, Aaron Potts, was the 2020 Fashion Group International Rising Star winner in the All Gender Design category. He serves funky, unisex streetwear. Potts’ pieces are great for the Winter-Spring, Fall-Winter transitional dressing.
SO.TY: Founded by Charles Harbison, So.Ty is a sustainable circular fashion brand, newly launched in LA in May 2022 as part of the Sovereignty Company. The Sovereignty Company is a social enterprise and not-for-profit which aims to create an inclusive, equitable, prosperous, and circular fashion society for BIPOC communities. The brand can be described as feminine influenced and queer affirming, a softer take on typical menswear.
TODD PATRICK: Founded in 2016 by designer Desyree Nicole, the brand she named after her brother is a luxury menswear boutique, blending streetwear and contemporary fashion seamlessly. Nicole runs the brand with her partner Gabriella Paulino.
NO SESSO: Founded in 2015 by Pierre Davis and Arin Hayes,the brand name means “no sex/no gender,” in Italian. No Sesso is an LA fashion house creating collections that feature a wide range of prints, fabrics, reconstructed materials, and their signature hand embroidery.
FE NOEL: Founder Felisha Noel entered the fashion industry at 19, opening a brick and mortar boutique for vintage lovers and trendsetters in Brooklyn. Now, the brand is a conceptual lifestyle brand created for “the multifaceted woman that embodies a love for travel and style.”
TIA ADEOLA: From Nigeria, raised in London, and now based in New York, Tia created the brand from her dorm room during the summer of 2017. using her art history background and passion for the Renaissance period as inspiration. Her aim is to rewrite history through fashion, particularly for people of colour. “Black is beautiful.”
Saturday 10th September
ANONLYCHILD: Newly launched, infact still behind a password-protected website, this brand is made entirely with deadstock fabrics.
SERGIO HUDSON: a luxury women’s ready-to-wear label from LA, you may recognise the brand name after Michelle Obama wore a head-to-toe plum Hudson look to Joe Biden’s inauguration at the beginning of 2021. Inspired by rock n roll fashion, Gianni Versace and Grace Jones, Hudson creates a mixture of staple wardrobe and statement garments.
VICTOR GLEMAUD: started in 2006, Glemaud was originally a leisurewear collection. The brand has grown and whilst still creating leisurewear, is known well for statement knitwear, that is inclusive for people of all genders, races, and sizes.The Haitian-American designer has an upcoming collab with Target this month.
Sunday 11th Sep
STUDIO 189: We love to see artisan-made, ethically-produced fashion at high profile events so Studio 189’s inclusion feels good. Produced in Africa, the brand creates African and African-inspired clothing that aims to empower people. Founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah.
JUNE79: founded by Chief Architect / Creative Director, Shawn Pean, who is an industry veteran and pioneer. June79 transforms luxurious European fabrics into unique tailored garments that are easy and comfortable. Suiting separates draw inspiration from European sophistication and a Brooklyn attitude, while all being made in the USA.
ASHYA: “An ode to exploration”, the brand is committed to cultural awareness and the act of unifying style and utility through their designs. Ashya is co-founded and co-creative directed by American & Jamaican design duo Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece.
CONNOR MCKNIGHT: A relatively new brand, McKnight founded the brand carrying his name amidst the unemployment and the violence against the Black community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We love the utilitarian look to his collections.
MARRISA WILSON: Marissa is a first-generation Guyanese-American designer, creating relaxed womenswear in bold prints and vibrant colors for the modern multicultural woman.
WHO DECIDES WAR: Founded by Everard Best creates specialized jeans, shirts, and sweatshirts for a modern, personalised streetwear vibe.
Monday 12th September
DUR DOUX: Founded by Najla A. Burt who runs the brand with her mother (who has the role of Vice President) Cynthia Burt. The mother-daughter duo design practical items with an experimental edge. We love the color incorporated into their collections.
LAQUAN SMITH: (previous articles) Founded in 2013, Smith has cultivated a wide ranging private order client base. Designing womenswear and swimwear, fans of the brand include Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga.
FREDERICK ANDERSON: Anderson’s brand was born right after he completed his study at the Fashion Institute of Technology, his career now spans over 20 years. Anderson’s designs have a bohemian edge and are created for women looking for a sense of freedom – his pieces show a little skin in a sophisticated manner.
BLACKBOYKNITS: Everything you expect from the name and more, BBK is an independent design studio which emphasizes black, queer and immigrant naratives, while highlighting its contributions on a global perspective. A sustainable brand with a circular mission the brand was only founded in 2020 by Jacques Agbobly.
Tuesday 13th September
KEVAN HALL: Hall is a modern designer with a luxurious sophistication to his more statement pieces. He’s very active in nurturing new talent in the industry and has helped young costume and fashion designers with scholarships, education and business workshops, and mentorships.
JUNNY: Inspired by Harlem, designer Junny Ann Hibbert’s work is a cross-section of functional style and bold statement items. Vibrant, bespoke and limited edition pieces form the core of the brand.
SUKEINA: Sukeina is defined as “bright light” and is culturally rooted in the cosmologies of Africa, the aesthetics of Europe, and the reinvention of America. Founded by Omar Salam in 2012.
Wednesday 14th September
THEOPHILIO: The brand founded by Jamaican-born designer, Edvin Thompson, Theophilio creates “clothing for all genders, colors, and personalities.”
KENNETH NICHOLSON: “Luxury brand liberating the boundaries of menswear” is how Nicholson defines the brand. He uses sharp tailoring and interesting textures combined with innovative techniques to make his collections stand out.
BED ON WATER: “An interdisciplinary art-house that produces apparel, accessories, art objects, and art media.” Founded by Shanel Campbell, part clubwear, part European summer, Campbell’s designs are eclectic with references to her African heritage.
ALIETTE: Designer Jason Rembert’s work at Aliette is fantastic. It’s the party glam of dreams, texture, color and all kinds of extra are how I’d describe his work. His collections of evening wear are informed by his behind-the-scenes experience – a career that included styling Lizzo, Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah.
Other featured brands Fashion 360 Magazine loves: Telfar, Deity New York, and Private Policy. Check out the retrospective schedule here: CFDA Schedule.
