42 Black Fashion Influencers to Follow Now and Always
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We have to acknowledge that for far too long, fashion hasn't done enough to amplify Black voices. The industry has fallen short in many ways, and we have a lot of work to do to show up as the antiracist allies we want to be. Fortunately, Instagram is a platform where Black creatives can be seen and heard in their own words. Here, you'll find Black designers, editors, models, bloggers, and artists making an impact and sharing their influence through art and style, and it may just be exactly what your feed is missing.
Inside, we look to 42 tastemakers, trendsetters, and fashion leaders who are changing the game — one post at a time. Read on to be inspired, hit "follow," and listen to and share Black voices now and always.
— Additional reporting by Madison Meltzer and Allison Ingrum
Chrissy Rutherford
Her Forte: Former fashion editor and contributor to Harper's Bazaar
What You'll Find: Thoughtful conversation, advocacy, and leadership around antiracism and mental health, as well as a look at her personal style, which pairs trends with her cool, minimalist vibe.
Nikki Ogunnaike
Her Forte: GQ Deputy Fashion Director
What You'll Find: A front-row look at the industry, from the shows to the many thoughtful conversations with designers, celebrities, influencers, and more. Nikki shares career advice as expertly as she does her style wisdom. Bonus: she's an avid runner who might just motivate you to get moving.
Aurora James
Her Forte: Designer and founder of Brother Vellies
What You'll Find: Beautifully captured inside looks at her life in the fashion industry — from her shows to the red carpet, as well as integral conversations around antiracism and feminism and how to be an activist and effect change.
Sherri McMullen
Her Forte: Founder and CEO of McMullen boutiques in Oakland and Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Find: A treasure trove of inspiration straight from the designers she hand-selects for her boutiques. She'll introduce you to a wealth of new labels to love.
Danielle Prescod
Her Forte: Fashion editor
What You'll Find: Refreshingly real takes on the industry, from the inside out, that will force you to examine your own choices, habits, and ability to be a bigger voice for antiracism and change. You'll love that her style is equally candid and cool.
Cleo Wade
Her Forte: Activist, poet, and community builder
What You'll Find: Her beautiful words, important conversations with the industry, and a few snaps of her chic, trend-forward fashion woven throughout.
Freddie Harrel
Her Forte: Creator of Rad Swan
What You'll Find: Styling ideas and bright, trend-infused #OOTDs that'll make you smile — plus pearls of wisdom from this mom and entrepreneur to accompany her whimsical outfit shots.
Sami Miró
Her Forte: Designer behind the eco-conscious Sami Miro Vintage
What You'll Find: A confident cool spin on eclectic and edgy style, featuring many of her own designs.
Kellie Brown
Her Forte: Fashion blogger and consultant
What You'll Find: Everyday style inspiration, served with bright color and on-point accessories.
Janelle Marie Lloyd
Her Forte: Fashion blogger
What You'll Find: Wearable takes on the biggest trends.
Mecca James-Williams
Her Forte: Stylist and editor
What You'll Find: A glimpse of the beautiful editorial work she styles, plus plenty of Mecca's personal style snaps, which come with creative layers, cool color combos, and trend-forward dressing with her own spin.
Rajni Jacques
Her Forte: Fashion director of Allure
What You'll Find: An inside look at the fashion industry that includes her takes on Fashion Week, designers, accessories, and her own impossibly cool street style and outfit snaps.
Tiffany Reid
Her Forte: Fashion director of Bustle
What You'll Find: Industry events and travel style, as well as Tiffany's everyday-cool outfits.
Jade Fox
Her Forte: Content creator and comedian
What You'll Find: Instagram and YouTube channels dedicated to funny and relatable content about pop culture, lifestyle, entertainment, LGBTQ+ culture, and unisex and androgynous fashion.
Tamu McPherson
Her Forte: Blogger, editor, and street style photographer at All the Pretty Birds
What You'll Find: Her stylish looks, snaps from the front row, and unbelievable architecture.
Gabrielle Gregg
Her Forte: Fashion blogger, clothing designer, and body-positive activist
What You'll Find: Her newest collaborations, eccentric outfits, and lingerie.
Natasha Ndlovu
Her Forte: Model and fashion blogger
What You'll Find: Her gorgeous street style and some hot-ticket beauty items peppered in between.
Karina Marriott
Her Forte: Lifestyle and fashion blogger
What You'll Find: Inspiring and encouraging content aiming to empower and boost your confidence.
Edward Enninful
His Forte: Editor in chief of British Vogue
What You'll Find: Editorials and shoots from the magazine, his famous fashion friends, and iconic front-row moments.
Elaine Welteroth
Her Forte: Journalist, author, and former editor of Teen Vogue
What You'll Find: The empowering women she partners with, and colorful fashion pieces.
André Leon Talley
His Forte: Fashion journalist
What You'll Find: Snippets from his interviews, some personal shots of Anna Wintour, and iconic artwork.
Vashtie
Her Forte: Music video director and DJ
What You'll Find: Elevated street style with a tomboy twist.
Hannah Bronfman
Her Forte: Founder of HBFit and DJ
What You'll Find: The perfect hybrid of athleisure inspo and girly formalwear.
Imaan Hammam
Her Forte: Moroccan/Egyptian model
What You'll Find: Behind-the-scenes looks at her (multiple) Vogue shoots and model-off-duty style that even Kendall Jenner would envy.
Shiona Turini
Her Forte: Stylist, costume designer, and consultant
What You'll Find: Behind-the-scenes takes from the sets she works on, magazine editorials she styles, and every variation on the crop top you could ever dream of.
Skai Jackson
Her Forte: American actress
What You'll Find: Both accessible street style and event-ready looks — and we're taking notes on everything.
Keke Palmer
Her Forte: American actress and singer
What You'll Find: Standout style, done effortlessly.
Cheyenne Maya Carty
Her Forte: Model
What You'll Find: A behind-the-scenes look into the model's fashionable life.
Jan-Michael Quammie
Her Forte: Style Director at Highsnobiety
What You'll Find: Outerwear that will have you wishing it was winter all year long — think orange leather overcoats and thigh-high snakeskin boots.
Yara Shahidi
Her Forte: American actress
What You'll Find: Best-dressed red carpet style and off-duty cool-girl vibes.
EJ Johnson
His Forte: Television personality
What You'll Find: Monochromatic looks that will make you jealous of his closet full of designer digs.
Salem Mitchell
Her Forte: American model
What You'll Find: Clueless-inspired '90s girl heaven.
Melina Matsoukas
Her Forte: Director of music videos
What You'll Find: A feed full of colorful and elaborate looks to inspire you to break out of your monochromatic shell.
Zendaya
Her Forte: American actress and singer
What You'll Find: Relaxed #OOTDs that you can copy with what you have in your closet.
Claire Most
Her Forte: Product manager
What You'll Find: Aesthetic lifestyle and fashion inspiration.
Kitty Cash
Her Forte: DJ
What You'll Find: Inspiration for your next night out on the town.
Zerina Akers
Her Forte: Stylist
What You'll Find: How to make risky trends look completely effortless.
Amaka Hamelijnck
Her Forte: Fashion content creator
What You'll Find: Curation of aesthetic fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and travel content.
Kahlana Barfield Brown
Her Forte: Fashion journalist
What You'll Find: Investment items worth saving your pennies for.
Winnie Harlow
Her Forte: Canadian model
What You'll Find: Sexy model-off-duty looks that prove confidence is the best accessory.
TK Wonder & Cipriana Quann
Their Forte: Models
What You'll Find: Identical twins Tk Wonder and Cipriana Quann have mastered the mix of structured and street style.
Martina McFlyy
Her Forte: DJ
What You'll Find: A case for giving your gym clothes the high-fashion treatment.