Here are ten Black fashion designers to watch, each with a distinct voice and vision for the future of fashion. These names, along with many others, represent a new wave of innovation in the global fashion industry.

Autumn Adeigbo, one of the most exciting names in American fashion, rose to prominence through her unique designs. She began her career by interning for Betsey Johnson, where she assisted celebrity stylists, providing her a front-row seat to the inside workings of the fashion industry. Today, her eponymous fashion brand is celebrated for bold prints, joyful color palettes, and a strong commitment to sustainability in production and innovation.

In 2014, Adeigbo launched fair-trade pilot programs in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda, teaching women hand-beading skills and ensuring they were paid fair-trade wages. Beyond her creativity, she’s also a trailblazer in business, becoming the first Black female designer to raise more than $1 million in venture capital to grow her brand.

Adeigbo’s designs, inspired by her Nigerian heritage, radiate confidence, culture, and conscience, making her brand the go-to choice for women who want fashion that makes a statement while making a positive impact in the world.

It’s impossible to talk about modern Black fashion without mentioning Kerby Jean-Raymond, the visionary behind Pyer Moss. Since launching the brand in 2013, Jean-Raymond has transformed it from a standard fashion label into a full-fledged cultural movement. He uses his bold and symbolic collections to tell stories of race, identity, and American history, proving that streetwear can be both stylish and deeply meaningful.

From staging unforgettable shows that honor Black lives to high-profile collaborations with brands like Reebok, Pyer Moss is consistently pushing the boundaries of what fashion can represent and its role in culture. Often described as “activist couture,” Jean-Raymond’s work blends art, politics, and design in ways that spark hard conversations and challenge known conventions.

Using fashion as his platform, Jean-Raymond has cemented himself and Pyer Moss as one of the most important voices in today’s cultural landscape.

Christopher John Rogers is here to remind us that it’s okay to be extra. If bold colors and big drama had a patron saint, it would be him!

This New York–based designer has made a name for himself with voluminous gowns, electric hues, and larger-than-life silhouettes that light up the red carpet. From Rihanna to Tracee Ellis Ross to Kerry Washington, his designs have become the go-to for stars who want to make an entrance.

But Rogers’s mission goes beyond the Hollywood spectacle. With his label, he pushes the message that fashion should spark joy. So, when you think about Christopher John Rogers, think of a celebration of fabric and style: oversized bows, rainbow stripes, polka-dotted dresses, and sculptural ballgowns that are impossible to forget.

Rogers is here to remind us that maximalism isn’t just extra; it’s powerful, playful, and downright fabulous.

Teniola (Tia) Adeola turned her dorm room hustle into a fashion powerhouse. Since launching Slashed by Tia in 2016, she’s built a label that feels as bold and confident as the women who wear it. Adeola blends classical art references with a fresh, sensual edge. She has created a fabulous mix that has caught the attention of stars like SZA, Gigi Hadid, and Dua Lipa.

What makes Adeola stand out isn’t just the clothes; it’s also the way she brings fashion history into the present. With her playful, Insta-ready aesthetic, she’s rewriting the rules of style for a new generation and proving that fashion can be both artistic and fun.

Bianca Saunders is one of the UK’s brightest fashion talents, and she’s doing a fantastic job of rethinking modern menswear with her namesake label, Bianca Saunders.

Saunders thrives in the in-between, the blurred spaces between masculinity and femininity. Her menswear collections balance sharp tailoring and fluid silhouettes that explore various expressions of identity, gender, and cultural heritage, while maintaining sustainable fashion practices.

At the heart of Priya Ahluwalia’s Ahluwalia brand sits sustainability and heritage. Ahluwalia uses deadstock fabrics, vintage textiles, and recycled materials to craft collections that are as environmentally responsible as they are stylish. Her designs often weave together elements of her Nigerian, Indian, and English roots and experiences, resulting in bold prints, vibrant colors, and culturally rich storytelling.

Ahluwalia has been recognized by the fashion world as a sustainability leader and has collaborated with major houses like Mulberry and Adidas. Her work also extends beyond fashion to include books and film. Ahluwalia proves that innovation in fashion is as much about ethics and identity as it is about aesthetics.

As a plus-size woman, Angela Rene’s frustration with the treatment of plus-size women in fashion led her to create her own fashion brand, Rene Tyler. Although Rene Tyler started as one of the few designers in the United States with an entire brand dedicated to plus-size luxury fashion, the brand has expanded its focus to include all body shapes and sizes.

Rene Tyler’s pieces constantly challenge the fashion industry’s long-standing exclusion of plus-size women and other body shapes, redefining what luxury can and should look like. For Rene Tyler, fashion should be inclusive, confident, and beautiful at every size.

The Ejiro Amos Tafiri brand is a leading voice in contemporary African fashion. Its collections fuse traditional Nigerian textiles and motifs with modern tailoring and garment construction techniques. The result is clothing that feels both locally rooted and globally appealing.

Their collections range from elegant ready-to-wear clothing to intricately designed bridal couture. The brand is widely celebrated for its ability to tell African stories through fashion, using indigenous fabrics like aso-oke and adire to create pieces that resonate with both local and international audiences. Their designs have been worn by various African celebrities, including Tiwa Savage, Joselyn Dumas, and Joke Silva.

LaQuan Smith’s journey to the top of American fashion started with rejection. Despite being denied entry into traditional fashion institutions, he refused to let the gatekeeping define him. Instead, he built his brand on his own terms, hustled his way into New York Fashion Week, and carved out a space that couldn’t be ignored.

Today, the LaQuan Smith label is a true definition of New York glamour, with bodycon silhouettes, sheer fabrics, and bold cutouts that exude confidence and star power. His designs have become staples for celebrities like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Kim Kardashian, who turn to him when they want audacious, unforgettable looks.

With a style that captures the bold, sexy spirit of Hollywood nightlife and celebrity culture, Smith has proven that rejection does not have to be the end of the story.

Casely-Hayford is a London-based label with a rich legacy. It was founded by the late Joe Casely-Hayford OBE and is now led by his son, Charlie. Renowned for its modern, relaxed take on menswear, the brand has built a reputation for tailoring that feels both classic and forward-thinking.

With the founder’s Ghanaian heritage shaping its global outlook, Casely-Hayford represents a unique blend of elegance and innovation. Its suitmaking particularly stands out for striking the perfect balance between sharp structure and easy wearability.

Beyond being a fashion house, Casely-Hayford is a family legacy that continues to redefine British style while honoring its African roots.

These ten designers prove that fashion is more than fabric. Each of them is expanding the conversation around style, showing that creativity knows no boundaries and that Black designers aren’t just part of the industry; they’re leading it.

The future of fashion is bold, diverse, and unapologetically expressive. And, if these names are anything to go by, that future is already here.