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Home • Fashion Week

Black Style Now: Design Icons

These design icons made waves in the fashion industry then and now.
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Stephen Burrows
Burrows is one of the seminal designers of the 1970’s who remarkably has continued to craft a following for his energetic designs to this day.
Black Style Now: Design Icons
02
Stephen Burrows
Burrow’s signature bold and vibrant style on the runway for Spring 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Black Style Now: Design Icons
03
Stephen Burrows

A display at the preview of Stephen Burrow’s ‘When Fashion Danced’ exhibit last year at the Museum of the City of New York. 

Black Style Now: Design Icons
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04
Tracy Reese

From her runway collection, filled with fancy frocks (a Tracy Reese signature) season after season, to her more youthful Plenty By Tracy Reese collection, Tracy Reese has become the black female designer to make her mark in the fashion industry.

Black Style Now: Design Icons
05
Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese Fall 2014 runway at New York Fashion Week.

Black Style Now: Design Icons
06
Tracy Reese
Vibrant prints are another hallmark of Reese’s eye catching pieces.
Black Style Now: Design Icons
07
Duro Olowu

London-based designer Duro Olowu’s signature African printed pieces have captured and kept an audience.

Black Style Now: Design Icons
Hannan Saleh
08
Duro Olowu

Models at Duro Olowu’s Spring 2012 presentation during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. 

Black Style Now: Design Icons
09
Duro Olowu

Last season Duro Olowu’s collaboration with JCPenny’s featuring cheap and chic apparel, home and accessories items was well-received by the masses.

Black Style Now: Design Icons
10
Byron Lars
Since 1991, Byron Lars has wowed the fashion set with his flirty and flamboyant pieces. Now, he’s taking HSN by storm with his collection of classics at democratic prices.
Black Style Now: Design Icons
11
Byron Lars
Byron Lars Beauty Mark Fall 2011 presentation during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.
Black Style Now: Design Icons
12
Byron Lars

Byron Lars Beauty Mark Fall 2011 presentation during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. 

Black Style Now: Design Icons
13
Ozwald Boateng

Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng is known for his unexpectedly bold suits and skilled tailoring.

Black Style Now: Design Icons
14
Ozwald Boateng

Models walk the runway in Ozwald Boateng’s Spring 2013 New York Fashion Week show. 

Black Style Now: Design Icons
15
Ozwald Boateng

A model walks the runway at the Ozwald Boateng S/S 2011 show at London Fashion Week.

Black Style Now: Design Icons
16
B. Michael

B. Michael is the designers designer. With classic, elegant pieces that never go out of style he’s cultivated a following between the ladies who lunch and the celebs who party. His graceful gowns and cute cocktail dresses will grace the catwalk once again this season during New York Fashion Week. 

Black Style Now: Design Icons
17
B. Michael

A model shows off B. Michael’s designs during his spring 2014 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week show. 

Black Style Now: Design Icons
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18
B. Michael

A model walks down the runway at the B. Michael America fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week spring 2014 in New York City.

Black Style Now: Design Icons