From Milwaukee to the World
Therese Marie Debuts RESILIENT Collection in Sydney, Australia

International fashion designer Therese Marie celebrates resilience, confidence, and empowerment through her latest runway collection while expanding her fashion brand into education, entertainment, and global retail. From Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the international runways of Paris, Milan, New York, Los Angeles, and Sydney, Australia, fashion designer Therese Marie, founder of TMC Collection, continues to make her…

Forty Years of Barbara Bates
A Chicago Fashion Legacy on the Runway

Photos courtesy of Black Fashion Week photography by Darel Photography On October 3, 2026, Chicago gathered at the Obama Presidential Center to celebrate 40 years of Barbara Bates Designs. The anniversary exhibition and fashion show brought together generations of clients, designers, media professionals, and longtime supporters for an evening filled with fashion, philanthropy, and memories.…

NYFW Black Designer Spotlight
Spring Summer 2027 Shows

Edited by Melody Boykin Fall Winter 27 predictions at NYFW saw 1920s opulence, gothic romanticism, and 1980s power suits. Some of those trends carried onto the Spring Summer 2027 runways, and some got replaced by presently more favorable fads. Black designers shone especially bright this year, forging new roads for fashion and culture at large.…

Fashion Now
Black Designers Under 40
Defining Fashion for the Culture

Edited by Melody Boykin Fashion is more than clothing—it reflects culture, identity, resistance, creativity, and the times we live in. Each generation leaves its signature. The 1950s brought polished postwar glamour shaped by houses like Chanel and Dior. The 1970s embraced individuality through bold prints and bell-bottoms. By the 1990s, Karl Kani, FUBU, and other…

Fashion in the Water
The Hottest
Black-Owned Swim Brands of the Summer

Edited by Melody Boykin Miami Swim Week taught us that there’s nothing that a vacation or a date with the pool can’t fix! So ladies, this summer we are getting out of our heads and into the ocean. And of course you’ll need something fabulous to wear. We have handpicked 6 banging Black-owned swim brands…

From Project Runway to Bridal Visionary
A Conversation with Laurie Underwood

Edited by Melody Boykin Photo courtesy of Laurie Underwood In an industry driven by trends, Laury Bride has cut and sewn out a distinctive place in bridal fashion through timeless design, intentional craftsmanship, and a celebration of Black womanhood. Founded by designer Laurie Underwood, the brand has become known for creating elevated bridal experiences rooted…

From Akron to Windy City
Paul Tazewell’s Iconic Costume Designs in Film, Theater & Black Fashion History

Edited by Melody Boykin Paul Tazewell is a world-renowned costume designer and the recipient of an Emmy, two Tony Awards, and an Academy Award. Over a career spanning more than two decades, he has brought stories to life through fashion across Broadway, film, television, and red carpets. His work includes productions like Hamilton, Wicked, Wicked:…

Spring Trend Report
7 Must-Watch Trends from Black Designers to Elevate Your Spring Style

Edited by Melody Boykin Spring 2026 marks a decisive shift in fashion—one where narrative, heritage, and bold individuality take center stage. This season, Black designers are not just influencing trends—they are defining them. From reimagined workwear to academic-inspired style, these collections challenge convention while celebrating cultural identity, craftsmanship, and innovation. From the runways of New…

Ancestral Denim
5 Black Designers Redefine Denim for Gap 2026

There’s just something that stands out about Chicago brands. It could be the quality material made and distributed locally for those who love to look great while they peruse the windy city…

Robert Earl Paige – Legendary Textile Artist

Born and raised in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood, Robert Earl Paige emerged during the Black Arts Movement and became a member of AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists)—a collective that redefined Black aesthetics in Chicago and beyond. The group centered unapologetic Black identity, vibrant color theory, and community representation at a time when…

Ruth E. Carter
The Costume Designer Behind Black Panther, School Daze, and Sinners

There’s just something that stands out about Chicago brands. It could be the quality material made and distributed locally for those who love to look great while they peruse the windy city…

Connecting Threads Africa Fashion in Chicago
Final Days At The Field Museum

This past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. As we approach the final days of Connecting Threads: African Fashion in Chicago, we invite you and your family to join us February 28 through March 1, 2026, for the official Closing Days celebration of our inaugural co-curated exhibition at the Field Museum. What began as…