![Influential Black Fashion Designers](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ir5gdk0rumukiuo51tvq/influential-black-designers.png?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
While black fashion designers are a rarity in the industry, there are many who have made great strides—not only in their designs, but in creating opportunities for other designers of color. That's why we wanted to highlight some of the notable names whose ideas and innovations have helped shape the course of fashion.
So what better time than February, Black History Month, to appreciate their contributions? From avant-garde designers with inspirations from underground subcultures, master tailors still at the top of their game, and a couturier who designed Jackie Kennedy's wedding dress, these are influential black fashion designers you should know. Not everyone on this list is a traditional designer, but they've all had a hand in creative directing a collection and impacting the industry.
Dapper Dan
![Dapper Dan](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/wzwbjdwfdrnyw9sjr2ke/dapper-dan.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
Patrick Kelly
![Patrick Kelly](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/jdt93jjkdpsr8zuerzgd/patrick-kelly.jpg)
Stephen Burrows
![Stephen Burrows](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/hcnolrqqotqp17frr6ji/stephen-burrows.jpg)
Andre Walker
![Andre Walker](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/v71ldrgvrr8l0vdknodu/andre-walker.jpg)
Martine Rose
![Martine Rose](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/s4wvotciig7q9ywzdbhl/martine-rose.jpg)
Kanye West
![Kanye West](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/tvhj1q53ytpnovdxgsrp/kanye-west.jpg)
Shayne Oliver
![Shayne Oliver](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/sxtmzawxuomecpzyreaa/shayne-oliver.jpg)
Sean Combs
![Puff Daddy Sean John](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/p56nqfa22yfh25jonzlc/puff-daddy-sean-john.jpg)
Virgil Abloh
![Virgil Abloh](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/w01gemb8pvifgn6lhtle/virgil-abloh.jpg)
Ann Lowe
![ann lowe](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ihp3ok3sswih9wqj4oye/ann-lowe.jpg)
Willi Smith
![Willi Smith](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/xvadyerclyg9wxm2veia/willi-smith.jpg)
Kimora Lee Simmons
![Kimora Lee Simmons](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qpkqosmfzybo4gxzqua9/kimora-lee-simmons.jpg)
Grace Wales Bonner
![Grace Wales Bonner](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/r1uc441clyvhibuoveuq/grace-wales-bonner.jpg)
Duro Olowu
![Duro Olowu](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/vxopbgxv2vyurxqludfp/duro-olowu.jpg)
Arthur McGee
![Arthur McGee](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/sx7yzgcj8ljsi9bi8mqb/arthur-mcgee.jpg)
Jeffrey Banks
![Jeffrey Banks](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/hbepo0h4knl2xekw9eu2/jeffrey-banks.jpg)
Scott Barrie
![Scott Barrie](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/rt6c1jkx33ftojv61dt8/scott-barrie.jpg)
Joe Casely-Hayford
![Joe Casely Hayford](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/dmzdvnxoumgiqnz4ub5t/joe-casely-hayford.jpg)
Telfar Clemens
![Teflar Clemens](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/lxpt78narpvkymehrovz/telfar-clemens.jpg)
Jerry Lorenzo
![Jerry Lorenzo](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ccexrusyx5gvho3eakec/jerry-lorenzo.jpg)
Kerby Jean-Raymond
![Kerby Jean Raymond](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/qimnkfweb5vgmquhp4jg/kerby-jean-raymond.jpg)
b michael
![b michal](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/dfv6z4dnctoxybjhzbim/b-michael.jpg)
Edward Wilkerson
![Edward Wilkerson](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/rgfkwl0e8twgyn0zvyqu/edward-wilkerson.jpg)
Russell Simmons
![Russell Simmons](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/hcwsx5gavsnb8qiwywrr/russell-simmons.jpg)
Maxwell Osborne
![Maxwell Osborne](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/lyuxaf74qmlitbszjsnx/maxwell-osborne.jpg)
Olivier Rousteing
![Olivier Rousteing](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/napgi9moj5xus5ki27dj/oliver-rousteing.jpg)
Patrick Robinson
![Patrick Robinson](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/emaeujdr0m1t6tsekf6h/patrick-robinson.jpg)
Andrew Ramroop
![Andrew Ramroop](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/vxrwqjevmpj293xcr74i/andrew-ramroop.jpg)
Ozwald Boateng
![Ozwald Boateng](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/huvouvrmauugznnien8y/ozwald-boateng.jpg)
Tracy Reese
![Tracy Reese](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/wn3btzdsm9sjxibfkalw/tracy-reese.jpg)
Nija Battle
![Nija Battle](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/viy1iv8zic9j6tqh26de/nija-battle.jpg)
Byron Lars
![Byron Lars Influential Black Designer](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/u2rs9zw6kozryaoljrud/byron-lars-influential-black-designer.png)
Edward Buchanan
![EDWARD BUCHANAN influential Black designer](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/uvsjqewkfrrzglmnrs3j/edward-buchanan-influential-black-designer.png)
April Walker
![April Walker Influential Black Designer](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/iagrolhhpdrdkfxg0bva/april-walker-influential-black-designer.png)
One of the early pioneers of streetwear, April Walker of Walker Wear became an entrepreneur at the ripe age of 20. Growing up, Walker had an innate love for hip-hop and style, but it wasn’t until she visited Dapper Dan’s shop in Harlem that she discovered her own interest in designing clothes. In the late ‘80s, she started her first atelier Fashion in Effect out of her home as an effort to service the hip-hop lifestyle through fashion. She became a stylist on music videos for artists such as Run-DMC, Naughty By Nature, and Aaliyah, and finally debuted Walker Wear in 1990. The line featured baggier silhouettes, pants with lower pockets, and included a muted color scheme that would complement an existing wardrobe. At this time streetwear was synonymous with rap culture and Walker cemented herself as a top player in the streetwear game during its golden age. Walker Wear was also one of the first celebrity endorsed brands getting co-signs from the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Jay-Z, in addition to being one of the first streetwear brands to be picked up by major retailers and department stores like Macy’s, Dillards, Foot Locker and Finish Line. Some of the classic Walker Wear designs were included in the films Straight Outta Compton (2015) and All Eyez On Me (2017). She celebrated the brand’s 25th anniversary in 2015 with a Walker Wear relaunch.
Karl Kani
![Karl Kani Influential Black Designer](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/smcjv91eblclue7axusv/karl-kani-influential-black-designer.png)
Carl Jones and Thomas “TJ” Walker
![Cross Colours Carl Jones Thomas TJ Walker](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/wrifww5aiseaivbvbgmr/cross-colours-carl-jones-thomas-tj-walker-influential-black-designers.png)
Scott Sasso
![Scott Sasso 10 Deep Influential Black Designer](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/fywxhn8xyiojia986fel/scott-sasso-10-deep-influential-black-designer.png)
Daymond John, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin, and Carlton Brown
![fubu founders](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/s3evsu09l57l4dbloqts/fubu-founders-black-influential-designers.png)