6 WOMEN SHAPING THE GLOBAL FASHION LANDSCAPE
As we celebrate Women this Month, let us pay tribute to these extraordinary black women designers who are not only shaping the fashion landscape but also inspiring change and driving progress in the industry. Their creativity, vision, and dedication to their craft serve as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.
1. TIA ADEOLA
Tia Adeola, a 26-year-old fashion designer, is making waves in the industry with her bold and culturally inspired designs, which serve as an Ode to the Renaissance period. Hailing from Nigeria and raised in London before settling in New York, Adeola’s diverse background shapes her unique perspective. Since founding and building her brand from her dorm room at eighteen, her designs have graced the likes of Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid, SZA, and many more.
At NYFW, Tia Adeola unveiled her Spring 2024 collection. The collection, showcased at the Black in Fashion Council Discovery Showroom, was a reflection of Adeola’s personal growth, symbolized by beautiful butterfly appliqués on some of her pieces. In her own words, Adeola described the collection as a representation of transformation, with the butterflies symbolizing growth and hope.
2. GRACE WALES BONNER
Grace Wales Bonner MBE has garnered international acclaim for her thought-provoking designs that explore themes of identity, culture, and heritage. Her menswear collections blend elements of African and European heritage, offering a nuanced perspective on masculinity and race. Born in South London, Wales Bonner studied at Central Saint Martins art school with a focus on menswear. In 2015, she was honored as the Emerging Menswear Designer at the British Fashion Awards, followed by winning the prestigious LVMH Young Designer Prize in 2016, which included a €300,000 grant and a year-long mentorship from industry leaders. Currently, Wales Bonner serves as the Head of the Department of Fashion Design at the University of Applied Arts.
3. ANIFA MVUEMBA
Anifa Mvuemba, the visionary designer behind the fashion label Hanifa, is a 32-year-old fashion designer from Nairobi, Kenya, who has been turning heads in the industry with her innovative incorporation of 3D technology into her designs. Anifa Mvuemba’s bold approach to design and commitment to innovation continue to inspire and influence the future of fashion.
Mvuemba’s pioneering 3-D fashion display for the Pink Label Congo line in May 2020 highlighted her commitment to addressing societal inequities within African culture through her designs. By leveraging intricate 3D technology with software like Procreate and Blender, she creates stunning pieces that push the boundaries of traditional fashion.
Notably, Mvuemba was one of the nine Black designers selected to collaborate with Basquiat’s estate and the Black Fashion Fair. Her designs have also garnered attention from a host of celebrities including Beyoncé, Zendaya, Iman, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sarah Jessica Parker, among others.
4. MOWALOLA OGUNLESI
Mowalola Ogunlesi, known simply as Mowalola, has taken the fashion world by storm with her bold and unapologetic designs that challenge traditional notions of sexuality and identity. Born to a Nigerian/Scottish mother and a Nigerian father, both of whom are fashion designers themselves, Ogunlesi moved from Nigeria to the UK where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion at Central Saint Martins – University of the Arts London. After earning her Bachelor of Arts, Mowalola showcased her debut collection at the Graduation Press Show in 2017. Despite initially enrolling in the Master of Arts program at Central Saint Martins, she dropped out in 2018, driven by a desire for greater creative autonomy in her work.
Her vibrant collections celebrate the beauty of black culture while pushing boundaries with her daring silhouettes and provocative aesthetic. Mowalola’s fearless approach to design has earned her recognition as one of the most exciting designers in the industry.
5. MARTINE ROSE
Martine Rose, founder of her eponymous label, Martine Rose, has gained acclaim for her unique blend of streetwear aesthetics with high-fashion sensibilities. She draws inspiration from hip-hop and punk subcultures. Born in Croydon, South London, Rose graduated from Middlesex University with a degree in fashion design. Before the ‘Martine Rose‘ label in 2007, Rose ran a label called ‘LMNOP‘ with her friend and collaborator, Tamara Rothstein, before closing it in 2005. She also did consultation work from 2015 to 2018 with Demna for Balenciaga, which created a turning point in her career. Rose’s gender-fluid designs challenge conventional norms, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion.
6. BIANCA SAUNDERS
Bianca Saunders, a British-Jamaican menswear designer, is known for her designs that explores themes of identity and self-expression. Saunders earned a diploma in applied arts and design from Ravensbourne University London and a bachelor’s degree in fashion and clothing design from Kingston University. Bianca made her London Fashion Week Men’s debut in June 2018 and has since then been one of the most exciting designers in the industry today.
In summary, these women designers are at the forefront of change. Each one of them brings both a unique and fresh approach to design and fashion. We urge everyone reading this to recognize their remarkable contributions and continue to support and uplift women in the industry. Their creativity, resilience, and dedication serve as an inspiration to all, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse society.
