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Photographer: Kavin Alexander (Instagram: @kavinmane)
A city is only as influential as the people who shape it. In Los Angeles, Black creatives are driving fashion forward with their groundbreaking contributions. From cult-followed brands to cultural movements, they are the pulse of the city’s creative scene.
Unlike traditional fashion capitals, Los Angeles has carved out a distinct identity that exists at the intersection of celebrity culture, streetwear, and sustainability. The City of Angels thrives on a kind of laid-back, effortless luxury, where its cultural diversity creates a style language all its own. But who are the visionaries setting the tone? And what movements are pushing Black fashion and creativity to a larger stage?
Kwame Adusei started his namesake label in 2021, and in just four short years, the brand has become synonymous with modern luxury rooted in ________. His effortless, gender-fluid offerings are worn by the likes of Lori Harvey, Ciara, and Chloe Bailey, to name a few. Sitting at the intersection of sustainability and craftsmanship, Kwame Adusei is redefining what it means to create clothing that is both timeless and progressive.
Setting up shop in LA in 2020 was an unconventional choice—most luxury designers typically choose a more “traditional” fashion capital to call home. But Adusei and his creations feel right at home in the City of Angels. The city serves as the perfect backdrop for his vision, reflecting the spirit of ________, cultural diversity, and boundary-pushing creativity.
Drawing inspiration from his Ghanaian and West African roots, with a focus on cut, fit, and quality, his designs celebrate every body—not in the trendy, cliché way, but in a way that acknowledges his community and his commitment to inclusivity that’s authentic and built into the very construction of his garments.
Former basketball player turned fashion designer Giovanni Harris has built a brand on a foundation of culture and personal style. A long-standing passion for fashion and getting dressed pushed him to express his creativity through clothing. He started by making graphic tees and eventually graduated to creating luxury garments.
Since launching his brands, Giovanni’s Clothing and Giovanni’s Athletics, three years ago, his pieces have been worn by some of the most recognizable names in sports, including Brittney Sykes, Natasha Howard, and Jayson Tatum.
Los Angeles has its own style defined by its mix of every aesthetic—from high-end to streetwear and everything in between. This seamless blend of influences is one of the driving forces behind Giovanni’s approach to design.
“My cultural background influences me a lot,” Giovanni shared. “Growing up in Detroit, I would see people in my neighborhood wearing chinchilla and mink furs, gold jewelry, and Kangol hats. So everything I make is clean, kind of flashy, but also chill.”
Now, in his new home of LA, he still finds that same sense of inspiration. Citing the city’s effortless way of blending styles, Giovanni believes it’s this essence of the city that makes him so good at what he does.
“This city shaped my mindset to understand all sides of how people dress in the fashion world,” he said. “Being able to make clothes that are exactly what they like, but more upscale and more about quality—mixing my twist on what’s already going on.”
Black Market Flea is a monthly market home to more than 150 vendors with a home base in South Los Angeles. The offering? Handmade goods ranging from clothing to candles, jewelry, accessories, and more. With the goal of creating a family-reunion-like atmosphere that platforms Black creatives across disciplines, founder Mayah Hatcher did more than just that. Now four years old, the flea continues to grow month after month.
The influence is felt far beyond the vendor booths, though. This community-focused, fashion-forward event draws attention from some of the biggest names in Black Hollywood, like Smino, Isaiah Rashad, and Doechii.
With an explicit focus on Black entrepreneurship, this market has become a staple for the Los Angeles fashion lover. Attendees can find just about anything—from a vintage sports tee to a handcrafted baseball cap with a punchy saying—and leave with a sense of connection. The street style energy is palpable, with many attendees treating the flea as their very own runway.
If Black Los Angeles has a beating heart, Black Market Flea is one of its strongest pulses. The perfect blend of culture and commerce makes this monthly happening a staple in a scene where style, culture, and entrepreneurship collide.
For LRÉ the Artist, design is about more than just an aesthetic—it’s about a feeling.
“When I was in ROTC in high school and the military thereafter, I experienced a feeling I’ve never felt before,” she shared. “Something about the tailoring of the uniform gives you an immense boost of confidence and pride. When you see us walking in uniform with our chest out, it’s because we really do feel how we look. My muse and inspiration are fueled by my desire to always feel that confident.”
The multitalented fashion creative describes herself as a “designer of garments and sound.” She creates immersive experiences that blend fashion, music, and influences from both her Nigerian heritage and the Black community.
“As a Nigerian, fashion is heavily embedded in the foundation of our culture,” she said. “My mom was the flyest person I knew for most of my life. When you combine Nigerian and Black culture, you start to see that almost all the aspects of our cultures are the same.”
Her label, Toyin LaTour, is named in honor of her mother and serves as a heartfelt tribute to the woman who first taught her what style could look like. Now, 11 years into her hobby-turned-passion, Los Angeles serves as the canvas for her artistry. The city’s spirit challenges LRÉ to push her own boundaries and test how people connect with her art.
Still, she sees room for growth in the Los Angeles fashion scene—and she hopes to bridge that gap by designing both clothes and community.
“Community has changed my life in many ways because it helps me have people who can not only shine a light when I’ve lost my way but are also people I can trust enough to finally let go and not feel like I have to do everything on my own,” the artist noted. “My growth here in LA has simply been because I have people who support me so strongly that they offer to take weight off my shoulders—and vice versa.”
As Black creatives continue to carve out space in the fashion industry, they are not only shaping trends but building communities whose impact will outlast seasons and inspire the next generation. Los Angeles may be a city known for its star power, but its true brilliance shines through the artistry of its creatives. Together, these visionaries are ensuring Los Angeles’ fashion scene remains as bold, innovative, and diverse as the people who create it.
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