ESSENCE Best In Black Fashion Awards: Meet The 2019 Designer Of The Year Nominees

By Marielle Bobo · August 28, 2019August 28, 2019

A celebration of the best and brightest creators of color within the fashion space, ESSENCE’s inaugural Best in Black Fashion Awards shines a light on top designers, stylists, photographers, models and insiders who made an impact in 2019. The star-studded roster of honorees and nominees will gather at pre-NY Fashion Week dinner on September 4th.

Meet the visionary finalists for our Designer of the Year award. Known for creating high impact pieces with intricate details and folds, Senegalese couturier Omar Salaam’s Sukeina clothing line is a Naomi Campbell favorite. Designer Felisha Noel’s Grenadian heritage informs her colorful, free-spirited looks; in July she partnered with Bloomingdale’s on a Lion King-themed capsule collection. Meanwhile, Beyoncé wore standout designs from Sarah Diouf’s Tongoro line in her video for “Spirit,” the first single from the film’s soundtrack.

Read more about these standout creatives below and visit ESSENCE Fashion House on September 5th for exclusive runway shows where you can see their collections up close. Stay tuned to find out who takes home the prize!

Sukeina by Omar Salaam

In 2012, Senegalese designer Omar Salaam established his own fashion house named SUKEINA, the namesake of his late mother meaning "bright light". In Omar’s words, "Light is what reconciles us with the value of all and without it, all goes missing." Since then Omar has created 8 exquisite collections designed to envelop a woman in beauty. His passion for making women look and feel special, along with a unique worldview has shaped his approach to fashion in a way that is progressive, innovative, and powerful while still elegant.

Courtesy of Sukeina

Sukeina by Omar Salaam

A design from Sukeina by Omar Salaam

Courtesy of Sukeina

Sukeina by Omar Salaam

A design from Sukeina by Omar Salaam

Courtesy of Sukeina

Sukeina by Omar Salaam

A design from Sukeina by Omar Salaam

Courtesy of Sukeina

Sukeina by Omar Salaam

A design from Sukeina by Omar Salaam

Courtesy of Sukeina

Sukeina by Omar Salaam

A design from Sukeina by Omar Salaam

Courtesy of Sukeina

Fe Noel

“Eat well, travel often, and dress to inspire!” …In other words make life beautiful. This is the philosophy behind the Brooklyn based, womenswear brand Fe Noel. The label's founder, Felisha “Fe” Noel, is deeply influenced by her Grenadian heritage and has mastered the ability to bottle up culture and glamour infused with sensibility and sensuality.

Itaysha Jordan/Courtesy of Fe Noel

Fe Noel

A design from Fe Noel.

Iytaysha Jordan/Courtesy of Fe Noel

Fe Noel

A design from Fe Noel.

Itaysha Jordan/Courtesy of Fe Noel

Fe Noel

A design by Fe Noel.

Itaysha Jordan/Courtesy of Fe Noel

Fe Noel

A design by Fe Noel.

Itaysha Jordan/Courtesy of Fe Noel

Fe Noel

A design by Fe Noel.

Itaysha Jordan/Courtesy of Fe Noel

Tongoro by Sarah Diouf

Designer Sarah Diouf's Tongoro is a 100% Made In Africa label providing clothing that offers style conscious consumers quality, variety and convenience, at affordable prices. Her brand sources its materials on the continent and works with local tailors on the design process. The label's long-term goal is to contribute to the development of the retail production in Western Africa, with their first atelier in Dakar, Senegal. Diouf also launched her inaugural jewelry line this year, inspired by traditional West African facial ornaments. "I've always been fascinated by the Wodaabes face painting done for their infamous Gerewol ceremony, an annual courtship competition where men are judged by their beauty to be later picked by women who are ready for marriage," Diouf explains. "The noseline long makeup is set to enhance their beautiful features." The pieces have been worn by Iman and Alicia Keys.