Black is beautiful…and in style

The fashion industry, dominated by such designers as Ann Taylor, Tommy Hilfiger, Gant, and Ralph Lauren, thrives on trends that change as quickly as the tide. A tide that has more than recently become saturated with up and coming African American designers.
“Black” fashion, Karl Kani, FUBU, and Phat Farm, emerged in the middle to late nineties has become filled with names clearly leading in today’s fashion industry.
In the early nineties a wild, vibrant team of designers, painting pictures of hip-hop dreams hit the scene. Cross Colours quickly made a name for itself with designs seen in music videos. Even television programs such as the Cosby Show, portrayed young Rudy Huxtable sporting the colorful apparel.
Around the same time, a young designer named Karl Kani came onto the scene with his signature steel plated logos on baggy hip gear. Both black and white teenagers flocked to stores to get into the groove of hip-hop gear.
While Cross Colours’ vibrancy soon faded, Kani stayed on the scene making his mark in the sands of fashion.
Soon hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons created Phat Farm a clothing line self-professed of “classic American flava.”
Other music groups such as Wu Tang Clan (Wu Wear), Outkast, and Naughty by Nature (Naughty Wear) have also tried their hand at design.
Sean “P-Diddy” Combs introduced his extensive line of gear, Sean Jean in the late nineties. As did Louisiana native and successful entertainer/businessman, Master P. No Limit Fashions made its debut at the height of the P’s career.
While all of these designers reap great benefits and boast a plentiful clientele, the king of the scene is definitely FUBU.
Hollis Queens native Daymond John started an acronym of For Us, By Us, the line in 1992. What started out as a “tie top” hat line, the small “team FUBU” consisting of John’s friends, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin and Carl Brown has graced the fashion scene with it’s unique and variable presence.
In 2001, Platinum FUBU was introduced with eighties cartoon favorite Fat Albert and The Gang gracing quality fabrics. This year, the Ali Collection premiered to the public. This new line is quickly selling its way to the number one spot, keeping FUBU reigning strong.
FUBU’s unique style of accessories, swimwear, and sportswear and has earned the company numerous awards, including a 1999, Essence Entertainment Award, the first ever to be received by a company.
Moreover, it is not all about hip-hop gear FUBU also has a line of formal wear that features tuxedos.
All these designers, also feature clothing lines for women and children. FUBU and Kani have an extensive line of children’s wear and ladies wear. FUBU has a new line of women’s intimate apparel sure to put Victoria’s Secret on the run for new ideas. Phat Farm has a separate line, Baby Phat, designed by Simmons wife.
These fashions are not only sold in specialty hip-hop stores either. They can be found beside such names as Donna Karen, Elizabeth Taylor and Ralph Lauren in stores worldwide. In stores such as Dillards, Foleys, JcPenny’s and Macy’s feature “black” fashion.
With a new season approaching and designers aplenty on the scene, one may ask, “what exactly is the color for the season?” Well, it is one always in style and always beautiful…no matter whose eye it meets…Black.