Get the Look: Black, LGBTQ Fashion Brands to Watch

When getting into fashion, it is always important to look at the people behind the sewing machine and mannequins, as it is these visionaries that make the looks we want to serve. Here is a peak at some LGBTQ- and Black-owned fashion brands to keep on your radar this year.

Stuzo. Another L.A.-based brand, this company is not only Black-owned, but women-owned as well. Founded by Stoney Michelli, she is not only the founder but heads the design team and is a graphic designer. The brand prides itself on its “gender-free” clothing, melding street wear and avant-garde pieces together to bring bold looks and muted pallets to anyone with an urge for something that goes against the grain.

Hood by Air. An amalgamation of high fashion and streetwear inspired by iconic, ballroom culture is the brainchild of Shayne Oliver, who wanted to create fashion that is genderless but evokes the high-fashion gods. Oliver calls this “power wear.” Celebs like A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have been seen wearing Hood by Air. Though on a hiatus from 2017 and most of 2019, Hood by Air is on a steady rise to the top again.

Christopher John Rogers. The self-named fashion brand only launched a couple of years ago but is on an ascending, high-fashion ladder. Even garnering himself a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award for his bold silhouettes and amazing use of bright and beautiful colors, Christopher John Rogers is looking to be one of the biggest names in fashion if he keeps up his immaculate work.

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Phlemuns. Founded by James Flemons, this L.A.-based brand has become a quick favorite of Lil Nas X and Hayley Williams of Paramore fame. Flemons embraces a gender-fluid design that is meant to be worn for and by anyone. His bright color choice, pattern-melding, and gender inclusivity have even gotten him a small documentary from Vice that takes a look at his thought process and design philosophy.

Telfar. Created by Liberian-American Telfar Williams, who is another winner of the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, this brand has become a cult classic due to an iconic, square tote that went viral on twitter. Telfar uses street wear as his canvas of choice, making products at moderate prices with recognizability. The titular brand is iconic among Brooklyn denizens and is getting acclaim around the U.S. due to the collaboration with Converse.

This is only a miniscule look at Black-owned, LGBTQ fashion brands; there are many more out there. There are brands that range from iconic to on the rise and are worth a look.

Fashion itself is ever-evolving and is in need of a face lift, and these young designers are taking gender inclusivity and running with it. Fashion is not just an expression of the wearer, but an expression of the designer, creating how they see the world and reflecting it upon the clothing that they so lovingly craft.