Welcome to our new monthly feature! Every month Jurnfern Art will be highlighting 5 of our favorite Black fashion designers of the moment. Keep scrolling to see January's picks!
1. Brandon Blackwood
A New York based accessory label founded by Jamaican/Chinese designer Brandon Blackwood. Blackwood designs his pieces to incorporate both classic and modern elements. From their sleek design to those high-end leather details, his accessories truly are timeless. His bags are perfect for the person looking for a staple piece to wear with anything in their wardrobe. The handbags with Blackwood’s signature zipper detail in the front come in a wide variety of colors, as well as a few different textures and prints if you’re looking for a more novelty look.
He recently released a line of bags in satin canvas, one of his signature fabrics, which read “END SYSTEMIC RACISM" in a subtle metal embellishment. A portion of the proceeds from this collection will go to The Door, an organization providing youth development services in NYC, and Black Girls CODE, an organization giving young girls of color the opportunity to learn tech and computer programming skills.
Check him out here
2. Christopher John Rogers
Though he just launched his namesake label a few years ago, you could probably already recognize some of Roger’s work, like his bold silhouette black and purple color-block dress worn by Zendaya at the 2020 Emmy Awards. This New York based label is committed to creating ‘emotional and sensitive clothing.’ The beautiful quality of Roger’s designs can be seen in the fabric choices and tailoring. From the loud prints, to the bright colors and striking silhouettes, his clothes are made for women who are confident and not afraid to stand out.
He also recently dressed our new, first Black and first female vice president, Kamala Harris, in a beautiful monochrome purple ensemble for the inauguration ceremony. The color choice, among other reasons, chosen at is a blend of blue and red, the colors of the Democratic and Republican parties.
Check him out here
3. Thebe Magugu
Thebe Magugu’s namesake label is based out of Johannesburg, South Africa. Magugu’s design aesthetic centers around being fashion-forward, while incorporating motifs from Africa’s history to give his clothes an enhanced value. Each of his collections tells a different story and makes a statement regarding some facet of African culture and history. For example, for his AW20 collection titled “Anthropology 1” Magugu tells a story of the day that his grandmother died, and how everyone in his township immediately came to his family’s aid without question, providing traditional remedies for heartbreak and handling the family’s logistical responsibilities so that they could have proper time to mourn. This collection reflects on how the people of townships and their stories, particularly those of his own Ipopeng Township, are being dismissed, erased, and unacknowledged. This collection and its presentation aimed to bring these people back to the forefront.
Check him out here
4. Jabella Fleur
Created by mother and designer Alissa Bertrand, Jabella Fleur is a collection of women and children’s clothing made from upcycled fabrics. Not only are the clothes made from vintage and thrifted textiles, but the styles and silhouettes themselves provide a healthy dose of nostalgia as well. A vintage lover myself, I was immediately drawn to the Jabella Fleur Instagram page, from the adorable prairie dresses to the ‘70s fur collars and bold printed vests, and of course Bertrand’s three beautiful young daughters who serve as models for the collection. You may not have previously taken your fashion cues from young kids, but one look at these girls and you will find yourself wanting to dress like a dreamy, vintage flower girl yourself.
Check her out here
5. La Reunion
La Reunion comes from the imagination of Nigerian-American woman Sarah Nsikak. Nsikak’s Brooklyn-based studio hand quilts each piece exclusively from discarded fabrics sourced throughout NYC. Sources for her fabrics have also included vintage stores and even estate sales. The name for Nsikak’s label comes from an island off the coast of Madagascar by the same name. Among the brand’s primary inspirations are African culture and history, and exploring ideas of beauty, togetherness, and joy. Quilting is a major aspect of the design aesthetic at La Reunion. Each piece is a beautifully constructed collage of various mix-matched fabrics, including dresses, jackets, and even pillows. The free-flowing and baby-doll like silhouettes are perfect for casual dressers as well as vintage lovers.
Check her out here
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