Celebrating Black Influence
For Black History Month, we’re honoring the impact Black culture has had in defining streetwear culture over the years. Join us in celebrating some of our favorite Black creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs that delivered the designs and silhouettes most beloved around the world.
Rihanna
Superstar & Founder of Fenty
Since the start of her entrepreneurial career outside of music, Rihanna has always led with diversity and inclusion. First, with her Fenty PUMAcollaborations to her Savage x Fenty line of apparel, skincare, and beauty, there’s no shortage of lanes Rih hasn’t been in. Rihanna first made her mark in the streetwear industry with the Fenty PUMA Creeper back in 2016. At this time, the collaboration made tremendous hype for both women and men with the mega popstar at the helm as PUMA’s creative director. Since then, Rihanna has made a billion-dollar movement with her namesake empire. From footwear to foundation, Fenty continues to add phenomenal enterprises to their brand and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
I’m a Black woman. I came from a Black woman, who came from a Black woman, who came from a Black woman. And I’m going to give birth to a black woman...We are impeccable. We’re special. We’re special and the world is going to have to deal with that. - Rihanna
Brandon Blackwood
Founder of Brandon Blackwood
We all remember when Brooklyn-based designer Brandon Blackwood launched his End Systemic Racism mini totes during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. Not only were his bags a viral phenomenon in the fashion community, but they created a conversation on the importance of marginalized communities in this country. Since then, the Jamaican-Chinese designer continued to launch hit after hit with his luxury designer bags. As Blackwood continues to take over the accessories game, he’s leaving the bag open for more black-owned startups to leave their own print in the fashion industry.
I think being a Black person in this position makes it that much better, because now other aspiring Black creatives know they can be themselves while still finding their own success. - Brandon Blackwood
Chris Gibbs
Owner of Union
Since 1989, Union has been bringing to the forefront all that is popular within art, fashion, and music. Owner and current operator, Chris Gibbs, continues upholding those same values that Union established all those years ago. Gibbs and his shop deliver one of a kind creations to their collaborations with Jordan Brand, while also supplying international brands that aren’t commonly found in other stateside boutiques.
This movement has always been about expression. For the longest time we didn't have a way to express ourselves or our individuality. Streetwear gave us that canvas through the lens of fashion, then it moved on to music and art, and now it's a full-blown cultural explosion. - Chris Gibbs
Telfar Clemens
Founder of Telfar
If you were lucky enough to sit front row during the Telfar cultural phenomenon, then you can understand the importance this brand has had on the culture. Founded by Liberian designer Telfar Clemens, the Telfar powerhouse has been popularized amongst musicians, movie stars, artists– and let’s face it, everyone. The collection is well known for their unisex designs with principles in simplicity and comfortability. Telfar has a strong, defiant brand identity that remains refreshing and unapologetically unique in the fashion industry.
I started doing the line because the clothes I had in my mind didn’t exist. I really wanted to make them exist. - Telfar Clemens
Virgil Abloh
Founder of Off-White
Virgil Abloh and his Off-White label have had an insurmountable impact on design and fashion. The late designer has found a way to seamlessly bring streetwear into the luxury space as his work on cut-and-sew products, spanning from t-shirts to peacoats, have each shown unique looks that also touched on black culture. His vision for Off-White helped lead Abloh into the coveted Creative Director role for fashion house Louis Vuitton in 2018, where he continued meshing the luxury world with streetwear appeal.
I take pride in the fact that there’s a kid who’s living in, you know, Alabama, who never thought something like this was possible for him, almost to the point that he made life and career decisions to find some other thing he was passionate about. But all of a sudden, because I’m here, he knows [he can do it too]. - Virgil Abloh
Joe Freshgoods
Designer & Owner of Joe Freshgoods
Designer and creative director Joe Freshgoods lets his abstract creations come to life driven by his Chicago upbringing and overall black culture. His work with New Balance has helped bring a new level of hype to the Bostonian running brand, with his debut collab on the 992 back in 2020 bringing lines outside of his pop up in negative degree weather in the Windy City. Alongside his collaborative works, his philanthropic initiatives through his Community Goods organization supplies his hometown community with school supplies, food banks, and clothing drives within Chicago.
In part, clothing has been a big part of our culture, influencing the streets and the runway. - Joe Freshgoods
James Whitner
Designer & Founder of The Whitaker Group
You can’t mention luxury streetwear and footwear without mentioning the Parisian powerhouse A Ma Maniere. Founded by James Whitner in Washington, D.C., A Ma Maniere is inspired by French couture, quality luxury clothing, and self-expression. The boutique has successfully made a huge impact within the sneaker culture through influential representations in the fashion world.
[I'm] trying to create a world for people who come from where I come from…I’m a kid from the projects. My story is trying to help other kids and kick the door open and create parity in a world so it exists equally for Black folks. - James Whitner
Tremaine Emory
Founder of Denim Tears & Creative Director of Supreme
Also known as Denim Tears, the name he bestowed to his eponymous clothing label in 2019, Tremaine Emory is the definition of multi-hyphante creative. As co-founder of No Vacancy Inn, an all encompassing collective that specializes in fashion, music, and nightlife, Emory has cemented himself a streetwear icon, who’s northstar remains the storytelling of Black history and culture through fashion. The Atlanta-based designer’s career moved him from New York to London to Atlanta, punctuated by coveted collabs with brands like Converse, Levis, New Balance, and ASICS. In 2021, he added another hyphen to his resume as Creative Director of Supreme.
I want to tell my culture’s story, but I want to incite compassion and humanity for people with all these stories. - Tremaine Emory
