The Black Designers Shaping My Wardrobe Year-Round

There are countless Black designers who have contributed to the fashion industry across a wide spectrum. However, while their talent is certainly spectacular, many brands suffer from lack of exposure and funding. So, it has always been important for me to seek out and support creatives of color. I’m proud that my capsule wardrobe is composed of styles from brilliant magic makers like Christopher John Rogers, Anifa Mvuemba, and the late Virgil Abloh.

Ahead, I’ve shared several outfits that incorporate pieces from the artists mentioned above. Black History Month may be coming to a close, but my commitment to these designers extends far beyond February.

This outfit never fails to gain compliments, and for that reason, I own two rainbow dresses from Christopher John Rogers. This look is perfect for professional settings because it is modest, but still manages to make a gorgeous statement. People will always remember the girl in a technicolor dress, trust me.

One of the amazing things about wearing a print like this is that it’s easy to accessorize. Here, I paired it with Manolo Blahnik mules and a Mateo box bag. The designer behind Mateo, Matthew Harris, is another fabulous Black creative.

As a proud Leo, I love nothing more than a statement-making piece—so it should come as no surprise that this Hanifa cardigan found a prime spot in my closet. The brand is renowned for its vibrant knitwear, and this buttoned sweater is one of my favorites.

I paired it with a vintage Luther Vandross T-shirt (more Black history, thank you very much), GAP jeans, and Brother Vellies neoprene snakeskin boots. It's worth noting that Brother Vellies was founded by Aurora James, a talented Black designer and activist. I specifically chose these heeled boots to add a bit of height to the look—the cardigan is lengthy, and I don’t want something this gorgeous dragging on the floor.

This is my head-to-toe Black designer ‘fit. I recently wore this look to a basketball game and a date night, and it makes for the perfect everyday look. The top is from Virgil Abloh’s Off-White era and the jeans are refurbished Levi’s from Chicago-based Black brand Coal n Terry. What I love most about these denim bottoms is that they’re made for women with curves, so I always feel comfortable wearing them.

I anchored the look with Brother Vellies cow-print clogs. These shoes are surprisingly versatile. I’ve paired them with leggings, jeans, shorts—you name it!