The fashion industry in 2026 continues to be one of the most expansive it has ever been. As Black men designers seek authentic connections with fashion, they remain at the top of their game. Several Black-owned brands are not only designing for their communities, but for a wider audience in which many can identify and feel represented. This year, these designers continue to show how that work is done.
Meet Daveed Baptiste, a Haitian artist based in the United States. More than a designer, Baptiste is an interdisciplinary artist with a traditional foundation in fine arts. This background has strongly influenced his career in fashion, where he creates fusions between textiles and photography, transforming them into wearable art.
His artistic lens focuses on the Haitian and Caribbean diaspora, where he explores and questions notions of race and gender. Baptiste’s designs show a strong presence of character through playful blends of shapes and textures. His garments often reference geometric forms that are simple in concept but executed with intention and originality.
A recurring element throughout his collections is the use of waves, whether in structure or pattern. These details add movement and stylization to his designs, evoking the freshness and fluidity often associated with Caribbean culture.
Greg Betty
Greg Betty, Senior Footwear Designer for Vans, challenges the fashion industry through a nontraditional path. Initially, his career did not include fashion, yet his strong eye for design positioned him to lead within the concept art space of highly recognized brands.
His work seeks to represent street culture by blending popular streetwear with graffiti-inspired graphics. While his primary focus is footwear design, it is his background in graphic design and originality that opened doors to creative direction opportunities. Based in New York, Betty’s work reflects the city’s fast pace and urban energy, demonstrating how environment can shape an artist’s design perspective.
Lukhanyo Mdingi is a South African designer who has been earning his place in the global fashion industry since his early debut in 2015. Recognized by prestigious institutions such as the LVMH Prize and the AMIRI Prize, Mdingi has positioned his unisex brand firmly in the public eye.
His artistic approach centers traditional African crafting techniques, exploring human ingenuity and craftsmanship. Mdingi works at a slower pace, prioritizing ethical practices and intentional production. Every creation, whether designed for men or women, is deeply influenced by his philosophy and personal values.
Each purchase includes designer notes, a detail that elevates the brand and highlights the care and effort behind every garment.
Brett Johnson is an American designer who has reinterpreted the concept of the American dream through fashion. Coming from a groundbreaking family background, Johnson’s work reflects a multidimensional approach that blends art and music as foundational elements.
His luxury aesthetic is rooted in Italian techniques and premium fibers. The brand spans a wide range of menswear offerings, from tailored clothing to fragrance collections. Johnson elevates traditional tailoring while placing strong emphasis on the production process. Through transparency in manufacturing and collaborations with skilled artisans, he has built a brand defined by quality and intention within the menswear space.
Jacques Agbobly, CEO of Agbobly, is a Brooklyn-based designer whose brand launched in 2020. From its inception, the brand has focused on telling Black, immigrant, and queer narratives through a global lens that moves beyond traditional Western frameworks.
His collections feature vibrant colors and defined shapes, influenced by the blending of multiple cultures. “The Orange Project,” one of his most impactful collections, redefines the color orange within Black communities. Inspired by personal experiences growing up in Chicago, where incarceration was a recurring reality, Agbobly transformed the color’s meaning from confinement to liberation and pride. Each design choice pays tribute to his Togolese-American heritage with intention.
Together, these designers demonstrate that fashion is shaped by culture, experience, and perspective. Through their diverse backgrounds and creative practices, they continue to celebrate identity and heritage while redefining menswear on their own terms.
