FUBU

In honor of black history month, it's only right that I shed light on the prominent and important footprint that black people have made in the fashion industry. For hundreds of years, black creatives have contributed enormously to the fashion industry. So many of the current trends we follow today were started by black people, and unfortunately, these things are often overlooked and not accredited to the amazing black creatives that gave us these gifts. In this think-piece, I will highlight some of the most important contributions that iconic black people have made to the fashion and entertainment industry. As a black creative myself, I look up to these people and can only pray to contribute half of the things that they have to our modern society.

The first black creative I will begin with is none other than the late Andre Leon Talley. Andre Leon Talley passed away just this past January, leaving behind an amazing irreplaceable legacy. Talley was an iconic fashion journalist, stylist, and creative director. He was Vogue's first black male creative director from 1988 to 1995, and was the magazine's overall editor at large from 1988 to 2013. The contributions that Andre Leon Talley gave to the fashion industry are endless. He was a force in an industry that was mostly dominated by white people at the time. I can't imagine trying to fit into an industry that would barely look my way, let alone consider me to work for them - but that's just it: Andre never attempted to fit in. He was always unapologetically himself, from the long, dramatic black cape coat he wore to always representing African American creatives through his intellectual and creative dialogue. Andre once said he wore his clothing like armor because the fashion industry can be an unkind industry at times. I really like this quote and this perspective of things because sometimes it's easy to forget why I want to be a part of this industry so badly - but then I remember the very fabric that is gripping my skin is something I chose so specifically for myself that it has such a deeper meaning to me than it may have to others around me. Andre is the reason a regular black girl like me can have the confidence to walk into any fashion company and hold my head high. There are so many contributions that he has made to the industry that I won't bore you with the details, but it's definitely important to shine a light on this creative genius who is no longer with us.

Another one of my favorites that has made huge contributions to the industry is Naomi Campbell. I am obsessed with this woman and her entire archive! From the beginning of her career when she was only 15 years old, she was one of the most beautiful and talented models to ever grace the industry. Naomi is now 51 years old and hasn't aged a lick. She is an inspiration to so many aspiring models, and I've seen her influence from everywhere to magazines, billboards, fashion shows, and everything in between. She was the muse of huge fashion names such as Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, and YSL. She faced racial discrimination during the beginning of her modeling career but managed to push through and break barriers, being the first black woman to grace American Vogue's September Issue in 1989. Her archive truly speaks for itself, and she really is the "it-girl" of the modeling industry.

Moving on to some current well-known names, there are people like Telfar Clemens who have created black-owned fashion labels for our community to have sectors in the designer bag industry. Rihanna, who created Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin for us to have black-owned makeup and skin-care. LaQuan Smith pioneered his fashion brand and now black people have an opening in the luxury ready-to-wear sector. There are so many other names that have really made a difference and made history in the fashion and beauty industry for black people and other people of color in general. We have created an amazing name for ourselves, and now we have the archives of the people before us to continuously inspire and motivate us, to prove to us that if they can do it, so can we.

Black history is not only the history of pop culture and trends, but it is also the history of our country. It's important that we take the time to really celebrate our achievements not only during black history month, but every single day. As a young black woman aspiring to hopefully make a mark on the world someday, I really can't wait to see what other contributions my fellow black creatives make to not only the industry, but the world.