After people accused high fashion labels like Gucci and Prada of blackface and other racially insensitive designs, some luxury consumers have banned together to boycott the brands. But there are tons of other high fashion designers to support if you have the coin for luxury, or if you simply like following brands you can't yet afford. Here are 36 of them.
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1. LaQuan Smith is a born and raised New Yorker whose designs have been worn by A-list celebs like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé.
2. Speaking of Beyoncé, she's also worn Sergio Hudson, former Bravo's Styled to Rock contestant turned high-fashion designer. #swipe
3. Okoro Emmanuel started Emmy Kasbit for the unconventional man who "thinks outside the box." Since its launch in 2014, the brand has also added womenswear to its clean and tailored aesthetic. #swipe
4. Third Crown is the luxe 18k gold, silver and gunmetal jewelry line by #blacklove couple Kristin and Kofi Essel.
5. Asherah Swimwear claims to celebrate "the female form using colorful patterns and tempting designs," and the line has a range of one-piece swimsuits, bikinis and athleisure.
6. Orange Culture CEO Adebayo Oke-Lawal has been designing since he was 10 years old. The brand's use of print, fabric and color is heavily influenced by his Nigerian roots. #swipe
7. Kendall Miles has a range of luxury footwear that's been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Hailey Baldwin and Angela Simmons.
8. Cushnie is known for its clean, sculptural lines. The label by CEO and Creative Director Carly Cushnie has been worn by Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, and Ashley Graham.
9. Shanel Campbell's namesake label, Shanel, got the attention of the who's who of fashion after nods from Solange, Ciara, and Issa Rae.
10. Victor Glemaud is known for his colorful knits carried in Nordstrom and Saks. Celeb clientele includes Indya Moore, Lala Anthony and Issa Rae.
11. After being the go-to makeup artist for high-fashion labels like Louis Vuitton and Valentino, Pat McGrath has launched her own cosmetics collection. Pat McGrath LABS takes luxury makeup to a whole other level with its sleek and glamorous packaging and unbelievably rich pigment.
12. Lavie by CK, which means life in French, is from Cameroonian designer Claude Kameni. Kelly Rowland, Tracee Ellis Ross and Porsha Williams have all worn vibrant prints from the label.
13. Brother Vellies by designer Aurora James is an African-inspired handbag and footwear brand handmade in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco. It's approved by Beyoncé, Janelle Monae and Solange, among others.
14. You've definitely seen jewelry and lifestyle brand Made by Malyia on HBO's Insecure. The brand features a range of fine body chains, necklaces and chokers, rings, and ear and nose accessories.
15. Adama Paris is the product of Senegalese designer Adama Amanda Ndiaye. The brand's "urban fashion" influence is incorporated in its apparel, footwear, and handbags (which've also been worn by Beyoncé).
16. Taibo Bacar fuses high fashion and ready to wear. The Mozambique-based brand "emphasizes the feminine body using only selected cutting techniques and the highest grade of materials."
17. Maki Oh founder Maki Osakwe was invited to the White House as one of former FLOTUS Michelle Obama's favorite designers. The men and womenswear label features a layered, 3-D aesthetic while valuing sustainability and preservation.
18. B Fyne is a high-end swimwear line with a range of one and two-pieces and coordinating scarves and cover-ups.
19. Frére, a luxury menswear label by Musika Frére, is known for its classic silhouettes. A-list celebs like Jay-Z, Nick Jonas and Sterling K. Brown have all been spotted in the brand.
20. D. Piper Twins by Danielle and Chantelle Dwomoh-Piper is an African and Caribbean-inspired fashion label based in New York. Lupita Nyong'o and Miss Universe Leila Lopes are but a few of the stars who've worn the designs.
21. Tongoro is 100% made in Africa. The brand, worn by Beyoncé on her recent stay in South Africa, sources their materials from the continent and works with local tailors in an effort to build the retail production in West Africa.
22. Rich Mnisi is a menswear label known for its signature minimalist structures with features in elite fashion books like Vogue Italia and GQ.
23. Pyer Moss founder Kerby Jean-Raymond uses the label to open dialogue around social issues. Celebrity fans include Anna Wintour, Tracee Ellis Ross and Yara Shahidi, among others. #swipe
24. Each piece from Matthew Harris' fine jewelry collection Mateo is made of "14KT gold with a consistent use of diamonds and precious gemstones."
25. A A K S woven handbags are crafted in Ghana. The founder, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi, is committed to creating jobs in Africa and showcasing the continent's rich style to the world.
26. Lagos fashion house Fruché was a standout during the city's fashion week. Thigh-high slits, color blocking and fine feather detailing are among the many reasons why. #swipe
27. CD Greene is known for its dresses and glamorous evening gowns that perfectly drape the woman form. The namesake label's timeless aesthetic is what's kept it a red carpet go-to for 10-plus years.
28. Anyango Mpinga balances "androgyny and bohemian femininity" and is considerably size-inclusive compared to most designer labels.
29. Kiko Romeo is a womenswear and menswear brand by mother-daughter duo Ann and Iona McCreath. The wear is comfortable, but bold and structured in its print and silhouette.
30. Lisa Folawiyo is known for its prints. The designer often mixes traditional Ankara with modern textures for a feminine and contemporary aesthetic.
31. Nkwo Onwuka's namesake fashion house NKWO prides itself on designs that are "free-spirited and nomadic, inspired by the lives of the wandering people of the African deserts and the great plains." The brand works closely with artisans to create employment opportunities and promote positive images of the continent.
32. Destiny Nwadire is the founder of fashion label DNA. The brand is the perfect blend of colorful, fun and elevated.
33. Bridal wear is one of Deola's most signature lines. Brides, bridesmaids, and mothers and in-laws of the bride all lean on Deola Sagoe for handcrafted garments that perfectly fit the body.
34. I.N Official is a cutting edge fashion brand. The gender neutral designs are cut for all forms. #swipe
35. Thebe Magugu is a contemporary RTW women's brand. "Sleek, forward-looking design intersects with motifs" from Africa's rich history.
36. Alexandra Alli launched F&W Style handbags in 2008 for "the busy woman on the go." The luxury, leather bags have been worn by celebs like Gabrielle Union and Tiffany Haddish.
This message of black excellence, opulence, decadence has been brought to you by black fashion designers from all over the world!
