The fashion industry is a difficult world to strive in, especially as designers from the minority group. Recently, the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Museum opened an exhibition on “Black Fashion Designers” aim to give platform for talented designers of colours to garner the popularity they deserved disregard of their skin colours.

With this in mind, we have rounded up five designers of colour who you might never have heard of, but should definitely have. Let’s find out!

---

Olivier Rousteing

Undoubtedly one of the most powerful fashion designers today, Rousteing became the designer of fashion house Balmain in 2011. At the tender age of 25, he was able to launch the label into a worldwide phenomenon, namely with his #BalmainArmy movement. With Kardashian-Jenners as close friends and known to made appearance at his fashion shows, it’s no wonder that the man is also a social media mogul. His decision to collaborate with H&M in 2015 secured more Balmain supporters and it became an even more coveted label.

---

Tracy Reese

For Tracy Reese, diversity in the fashion industry still needs some improvements. Tracy started her own label in 1987 after working at Perry Ellis and has since become well-known for her business casual looks. Even though her client list includes Michelle Obama and Beyoncé, she had to go to great lengths to make a name for herself in a white-dominated industry. We salute her! 

---

 Stella Jean

Known as the ‘mistress’ of prints, Stella Jean has never once shied away from bold colours. Shortly after winning Italian Vogue’s talent show, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London asked her to showcase several designs at their “Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014” exhibition two years ago. Personalities like Rihanna loved her designs because it beautifully merges cultural prints and modern silhouettes.

---

 Ozwald Boateng

 No stranger to the big screen, this London-born fashion designer has designed many fashion pieces for movies such as The Matrix. He started his own fashion line after discovering his passion for designing tailor-made suits. He has also worked as the creative director of Givenchy for three years since 2004. His refined designs have earned him a place in Hollywood where he has worked with A-listers like Will Smith and Keanu Reeves.

---

Azéde Jean-Pierre

Eclectic in its own right, the label Azéde Jean-Pierre boasts elegant designs with bold prints. The brand is well known amongst powerful women such as Solange Knowles and Michelle Obama. Similar to Stella Jean, the different aspects of her upbringing inspired Azéde, including her Haitian background and the city she grew up in, for her clothing designs. Having been a refugee herself, Azéde is also a champion in abolishing poverty and promoting equality.

---

 Photo credits: Olivier Rousteing, Tracy Reese, Stella Jean, Ozwald Boateng, and Azéde Jean-Pierre