A new wave of Black designers is shaking up the footwear industry — not just with bold designs, but with fresh perspectives rooted in culture, sustainability, and inclusion. These creators are rewriting fashion norms and opening doors for others, all while staying true to their heritage.
Take Aminah Abdul Jillil, who launched her brand in 2012. Known for oversized bows and dramatic flair, her line blends art and wearability. From boutique beginnings to Macy’s shelves in 50+ countries, her path shows how Black creatives balance vision and mainstream success.
Aurora James founded Brother Vellies in 2013 to preserve African craft traditions. Handmade by artisans across the continent, her shoes feature vegetable-dyed leathers and repurposed materials. James put sustainability front and center — long before it became a fashion buzzword.
KAHMUNE, started by Jamela Acheampong in 2016, directly tackles the fashion industry’s limited view of “nude.” Her 10-shade range reflects real skin tones, combining Italian craftsmanship with inclusive design. For Acheampong, exclusion wasn’t just personal — it became the reason to innovate.
Jessica Rich, a former TV personality, entered the scene in 2018 and quickly made noise. Her designs earned the Footwear News Emerging Designer award and a Steve Madden collab — a blueprint for Black-owned brands scaling up without selling out.
SIA Collective, launched by Devlin Carter, blends coastal U.S. influences with futuristic shapes. Despite launching during the pandemic, the brand thrived — a testament to the grit Black entrepreneurs bring when traditional funding isn’t accessible.
Sunni Dixon’s brand, Sunni Sunni, launched in 2020 and centers unisex boots inspired by D.C.’s Chocolate City era. His designs blur gender lines and reflect how Black culture has long used fashion as resistance and expression.
Armando Cabral, a former model, brings a global touch to leather footwear. Launched in 2009, his brand fuses European luxury with subtle nods to his heritage — proving there’s room for Black excellence in the high-end lane.
On the sustainability front, Joanne Vernay by Dyandra Raye leads the charge. Launched in 2018, the brand uses only vegan, biodegradable materials. Fruits and vegetables inspire her designs — proof that eco-conscious fashion can be beautiful and bold.
Together, these designers go beyond selling shoes. They support ethical manufacturing, reinvest in their communities, and break long-standing industry myths. By pushing boundaries and lifting others, they’re shaping a more inclusive, conscious, and representative fashion future — one step at a time.
