Fashion Revolution: Black Designers Who Are Taking Center Stage at Paris Fashion Week 2024

The runways at Paris Fashion Week 2024 are being transformed into a celebration of black excellence, with a slate of Black designers showcasing their creative talents.

Paris Fashion Week, one of the most prestigious events in the fashion world, has previously faced criticism for its lack of diversity. For decades, Black designers were often marginalized and overlooked.

However, the 2024 fashion extravaganza marks a significant turning point as a new generation of designers is seizing the spotlight. From high-end couture to streetwear-inspired collections, these designers are pushing the limits of fashion and making a lasting impact on the culture.

Here are four Black creatives who are ruling the Fashion Week scene in Paris this year.

Founded by Grace Wales Bonner in 2014, Wales Bonner has quickly gained popularity among those with a unique style.

Drawing inspiration from the African diaspora and Caribbean culture, the brand blends elements of tradition with modernity to create garments that are both timeless and contemporary. Grace Wales Bonner, an English designer with Jamaican roots, has been hailed as one of the most influential creatives of her generation, earning the LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers in 2016.

Designing duo Rushemy Botter and Lisi Herrebrugh founded Botter in 2017. Since then, the brand has quickly become a trailblazer in the industry. Since its inception, Botter has been praised for its innovative designs as well as the company’s commitment to sustainability.

The brand uses eco-friendly materials and employs ethical production practices to minimize its environmental footprint.

In 2018, Rushemy and Lisi won the Grand Prize at the Hyères Festival and were awarded 15,000 euros. The prize also helped place the brand on the map, as they were later featured in publications like Vogue and British GQ.

Winnie New York is slowly becoming a major player in the fashion scene. Founded by visionary designer Idris Balogun, the brand is redefining urban fashion by incorporating formal pieces into its collections.

In addition to Winnie New York’s aesthetic and commitment to diversity, the brand is dedicated to craftsmanship and quality. Idris, a Nigerian creative, named the brand after his late grandmother, who was a huge inspiration in his life.

“Sometimes people tell me the name Winnie feels familiar, I love that,” he told Matches. “There’s a comfortability that comes with something that you’ve known before, especially something that felt good to you.”

Adeju Thompson is a Nigerian designer who has always wanted to pursue a career in fashion.

He founded Lagos Space Programme in 2018 with a focus on gender-neutral garments inspired by African culture. The brand has received notable recognition since winning the 2023 International Woolmark Prize and being featured in leading fashion publications.

For his part, Adeju hopes that his creations will alter the way people view African-inspired fashion.

“I like the idea that people can see my work and expand their visual references of what they think African design is,” he told Another Magazine.