London is one of the world’s creative superpowers, all thanks to the city’s incredibly rich cultural and ethnic diversity. And while London is home to exceptional fashion designers hailing from every inch of the globe, our Black and brown creatives are a major reason British style continues to be relevant, influential, and innovative.
You’d be surprised to know how many Black and brown Brits are behind the popularity of major brands like A-Cold-Wall* and Trapstar. Or perhaps you’re familiar with the young millennial designer Grace Wales Bonner, whose eponymous label Wales Bonner was worn by Meghan Markle while showing the world a first glimpse of her and Prince Harry’s son, Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.
Currently, London’s young Black designers — like Mowalola, Martine Rose, and Fortie — are pioneering a global aesthetic subculture, which the British Fashion Council refers to as Urban Luxe. And while we have some of the best millennial BAME designers in the world, we also have a few well-established luxury houses — like Casely-Hayford and Duro Olowu — who paved the way for the younger names to gain respect and recognition more quickly.
Ahead, see 11 Black British fashion designers who offer innovative designs with expert tailoring.
