Fashion lovers, it’s that time of year again—New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is back. And according to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), it just may be giving everything it’s supposed to give!
From February 6-11, the Big Apple will be even more stylish than it already is. Designers, buyers, models, and trendsetters will take over the streets and runways from downtown Manhattan to uptown Harlem and the boroughs of Brooklyn. Whether you’re attending shows in person, living vicariously through Instagram stories, clocking fits, or obsessing over every celebrity look, this event is where trends are born and fashion girlies slay.
NYFW isn’t just about clothes, though—it’s about moments that can set the tone for the culture. Last season in September, Lil’ Kim and Teyana Taylor made waves, with Lil’ Kim turning heads at Christian Siriano’s NYFW show in a black and gold designer corset and Teyana Taylor kicking off Harlem’s Fashion Row with the Virgil Abloh Award.
Source: Gilbert Flores / Getty
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So, who is on the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) schedule?
This February, the excitement continues with a preliminary schedule from the CFDA. It’s filled with, at present, 54 shows featuring big names, exciting returns, and a sprinkle of fresh energy. The week starts with Brandon Maxwell’s presentation and wraps with a grand finale from CFDA chairman Thom Browne.
And let’s talk about the Black excellence taking center stage. While we continue to root for everybody Black, the conversation around diversity in fashion has come a long way.
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10 Black Designers Showing At February’s NYFW
Christopher John Rogers, Sergio Hudson, and LaQuan Smith are ready to slay the runway with their highly anticipated collections. Christopher is known for his bold use of color, bringing vibrant energy to every look. Meanwhile, LaQuan delivers sultry, show-stopping designs, and Sergio celebrates the sophisticated feminine silhouette like no other.
Other designers we love are also showing this year – some on the official CFDA schedule and some off. Tia Adeola is also returning after a brief hiatus. Chuks Collins, Frederick Anderson, and newcomer Joseph McRae are sure to bring the heat on the runway. So, here’s your sneak peek at the Black designers who’ll be turning up and turning out this season.
As you prep your schedules, snag your outfits, and figure out how to stretch your coins (because those lattes and Uber rides between shows add up), keep these designers on .your watch list.
1. LaQuan Smith
Known for sexy, unapologetic designs, LaQuan Smith is a celebrity hot girl favorite! No matter what fashion week, month, or day, his shows are always the hottest ticket in town. LaQuan’s customers are confident with places to go. If you wear LaQuan, you want to be seen – by everyone.
2. Christopher John Rogers
Returning to the schedule on opening day, February 6, Christopher is known for his fearless use of color and dramatic designs. He is a celebrity favorite. Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, Doechii, and Rihanna have all worn his pieces.
3. Frederick Anderson
Frederick Anderson is a NYFW powerhouse. Each year his runway collections get better and better with silhouettes we love, trendy colors, and unique prints like displayed here.
4. Diotima
Diotima has an eye for detail like no other. Her work with knitwear, weaving design, and intricate details have stunned audiences. It’s giving fringe and fabulousness for the girls!
5. Tia Adeola
After a brief hiatus from the official schedule, Tia’s return is one we’ve been waiting for. Her ethereal, romantic designs are a breath of fresh air. She will bring color, fun fabrics, and style.
6. Sergio Hudson
A red carpet favorite, Sergio’s collections are a masterclass in timeless glamour and feminity with a modern twist. His show is another NYFW attendee favorite, with some top celebrities, “it girls,” influencers, and media personalities in attendance.
7. A. Potts
A Potts is showing this year during NYFW Men’s Day, a fashion week event favorite for those looking for menswear and androgynous items. A. Potts is made for people who don’t necessarily fit into one box or another or follow traditional fashion rules. He celebrates all shapes, sizes, and genders. He designs trendy tunics, funky pants, and even flirty eye-catching dresses.
8. Chuks Collins
Chuks Collins is a NYC-based designer who began his career in Nigeria. Whether he is playing with proportion, interesting fabrics, bright colors, or prints from his native country, Chuks is a show-stopper. Whenever Chuks has a fashion presentation, he shows his culture, style, and personality in his collections.
9. Joseph McRae
Joseph McRae is a newcomer to the New York Fashion Week schedule presenting during Men’s Day. He is an exciting new designer with a unique eye for transforming non-traditional fabrics into couture masterpieces. He loves proportion, dramatic details, and the fantasy of it all. Think about couch leather turned into a beautiful dress or a fluffy duvet turned into designer pants.
10. Theophilio
Edvin Thompson is a Brooklyn-based designer from Kingston, Jamaica. The creative force behind Theophilio was crowned American Emerging Designer of the Year at the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards, cementing his place as one of the most exciting talents in fashion. Thompson’s creations are known for fusing his Jamaican roots with contemporary design and are vibrant, daring, and deeply personal. His slays are truly for the culture.
