KNOW WHAT TO SAY WHEN THEY ASK "SO, WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE (BLACK) DESIGNER??": A BLACK LUXURY DIRECTORY HAS BEEN UPDATED

CURATED BY SHARRA GREENE

As promised, I’ve updated my black luxury directory after an inspiring time at New York Fashion week, witnessing the raw talent that’s evident in the black luxury marketplace. Read more to see who’s been added!

I know I’m not the only one who’s ever witnessed a cringey convo where someone is talking all this and that about how much they looove fashion but when asked who their favorite designer is, they get to stuttering, scratching their heads and avoiding the question. I don’t want this to be you!

As a black woman stylist, I think it’s so important that when having conversations about fashion and culture, we know just as much about today’s hidden gems within the black luxury marketplace as we do about the mainstream luxury fashion houses that have been around for centuries. Respectfully, there’s more to designer than Gucci and Michael Kors… I’ve curated a list of some of my favorite working black designers of today, some you may already know and some you may not. Read up and enjoy!

ANDREA IYAMAH

I originally learned of Nigerian designer Andrea Iyamah back in 2016, and have since fallen in love with her brand’s eclectic and vibrant aesthetic. Originally known for making amazing swimwear, the Andrea Iyamah brand now covers even more ground in the resort wear space, creating gorgeous collections full of effortlessly sultry silhouettes, luxe fabrics, and stand out prints that often pay homage to African culture, all ideal for the ultimate stylista’s vaycay. Shop andreaiyamah.com. | @andreaiyamah

ROMEO HUNTE

Image source: @romeohunte

When you think Romeo Hunte, think minimalist streetwear, turned up a notch… or two. The Brooklyn born and raised designer specializes in taking the most practical articles of clothing and making them more refined, more sophisticated, and then adding in some edge. Perhaps most known for his unique take on outerwear, the designer’s luxurious fur jackets, tailored blazers, and voluminous coats can be spotted on the likes of Zendaya, James Harden, Queen Bey, and so many more. Shop romeohunte.com | @romeohunte

SERGIO HUDSON

And now for my current ABSOLUTE FAVORITE designer in the industry right now, the iconic Sergio Hudson. You may have just gotten hip to Sergio’s work when our former and forever reigning first lady Michelle Obama shut down the inaugural in a head to toe burgundy Sergio Hudson ensemble. I truly believe that prior to that major moment, Sergio Hudson had been one of the most slept on designers of our time, but IYKYK.

Sergio’s ability to cater to the female form while creating cohesive collections that are timeless and distinctive, yet reminiscent of some of our culture’s most memorable style icons ,reminds me that glamour and femininity within today’s fashion scene are still very much alive and well. In fact, his latest SS22 collection, a “Return to Glamour” has inspired many influential fashion figures to start celebrating life by getting dressed again, after a long life of leisure wear due to the worldwide quarantine. Shop sergiohudson.com | @sergiohudson

LAQUAN SMITH

And of course, I couldn’t leave out another one of my top 3 in black luxury designers. I’ve been following LaQuan Smith since way back… before many major media outlets refused to acknowledge his genius and I had to look high and low on the internet just for a simple collection review. Now one of the brands of choice for celebs and tastemakers alike, you can catch your fav public figures like Cardi B and Lizzo stepping out in a sexy bodysuit, motor pants, or a sexy sheer gown by the beloved LaQuan.

His avid eye for statement making details and just knowing how the modern woman likes to showcase her curves has brought him to the forefront of fashion. He’s another one of the few luxury designers responsible for keeping glamour and feminine sensuality alive through style. Laquan Smith’s latest SS22 offering at NYFW revealed a new partnership with sportswear brand Puma, shifting the looks to a more simplified approach that’s still sexy with a hint of streetwear influence. Shop laquansmith.com | @laquan_smith

MAH - JING WONG

Image source: @mahjingwong

As I mentioned in my Fashion Week recap, Mah-Jing is one of my favorite Project Runway veterans. I had the pleasure of viewing his latest collection in person at the Fashion Bomb Daily show a few weeks back, and through witnessing his precision of cuts and his use of quality fabrics, I had to add him to this list. MJW mixes the colorful, cheery playfulness of the Japanese fashion scene with sexy, bold silhouettes, resulting in a well-balanced, modern and luxurious look for the bold and confident woman. Shop mahjingwong.com | @mahjingwong

& SO MANY MORE…

Scroll through the rest of the images below to discover more of today’s black designer labels.

Let me know in the comments which designers you plan on supporting this season!

More posts making their way to you very soon! Make sure you’re subscribed here so you’ll never miss one!

Sharra,

“The definition of walking art.”

MY THOUGHTS ON THE EVOLUTION OF A ONCE UNDERRATED LEGEND IN THE MAKING: LAQUAN SMITH FALL 2020 RTW COLLECTION REVIEW

WRITTEN BY SHARRA GREENE. IMAGES BY DANIELE OBERRAUCH

With the exception of shows I personally attend during fashion week, I don’t write nearly as many collection reviews here on the site as I used to. Especially right now, with my podcast being where I mainly share my opinions on designers, both seasoned and on the rise (new episodes coming soon!), I don’t make as much time for it as I once did when I had less on my plate. HOWEVER, after viewing the looks served to us on a silver platter at yesterday’s Laquan Smith Fall/ Winter show, I HAD TO come out of semi-retirement and share my excitement.

I’m mostly hype because I remember not that long ago, being a huge follower of LaQuan’s work and searching the internet high and low for media coverage on him during NYFW, and not having much luck finding anything, of course with the exception of the GOAT when it comes to black fashion media, Fashion Bomb Daily keeping us current. None of the traditional mainstream outlets were featuring him. And as a young black creative who was becoming more and more aware of how “we’re often left out of conversations in fashion that we started in the first place”, as FBD founder Claire Sulmers so eloquently put it, I was anything but surprised. Nonetheless, as a fan of LQS with her own dreams in fashion, watching his work go unnoticed season after season when I honestly felt, back then, that he was one of the greatest to do it, it was still disheartening and extremely frustrating to watch.

But as they say, no one is messing with your movement until it’s moving… LaQuan Smith serves as a prime example of how staying true to your aesthetic pays off over time. Watching some of the world’s biggest artists like Queen Bey and Rih offer their support early on in his career to now noticing how he’s sooo many starlets' designer of choice is both inspiring and motivating for me. Furthermore, observing how these days, it’s hard to come across a fashion media outlet who doesn’t offer their two cents on his latest collection is even more ironic and interesting to me.

I initially fell in love with Laquan’s work back in 2012 because he designed for the type of women that I’ve always wanted to style; bold and unafraid of their sexuality yet always bringing a certain class, elegance and poise to whatever it is they choose to wear. In my eyes, LaQuan’s clothes embody the perfect balance between high fashion exclusivity and ready to wear relatability. He doesn’t let the fact that he’s a ready to wear designer cause him to rely too heavily on the concepts of modesty and practicality. He takes it there and no matter how far he takes it, he always knows what elements to incorporate in a garment to still have it evoke luxury. This season was no different. He juxtaposed voluminous shapes with body hugging sheer to illustrate that balance between the unapologetic provocation of today and the impeccable tailoring that we’ve witnessed from top designers for almost a century now.

This sense of balance doesn’t get any more clear than in the puff sleeve corset he showcased yesterday, paired with exaggerated joggers. It nods at yesterday and winks at today. Among my other favorite looks were the chocolate brown wool cropped coat and pencil skirt, layered over a sheer one piece, a patent leather oversized coat, a crisp white fur wrap coat that screamed old glamour, and a puffer two piece, just to name a few. Smith accomplished so much with such a minimal color palette this season… and after all that, I truly believe he’s just getting started. See some of my faves from the collection below.

Sources: Daniele Oberrauch, Vogue Runway

Sharra,

“The definition of walking art.”