🇨🇦 Canada: Quiet Power, Loud Style
In Canada, Black women are making significant strides in fashion and community engagement. The Black Canadian Women in Action (BCW) hosted a stunning fashion show during International Women’s Day 2025, curated in collaboration with Styled by Nif. The event celebrated Black women’s contributions to fashion and culture, showcasing diverse styles and talents.
Additionally, Canadian fashion enthusiasts are embracing homegrown brands. Lisa Kisber highlighted Canadian-made alternatives for denim, footwear, and outerwear, encouraging consumers to support local fashion.
🇺🇸 United States: Red Carpets, Real Talk
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour: A Family Affair in High Fashion
Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour has turned into a heartwarming family event, featuring appearances by her daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi Carter, as well as her mother, Tina Knowles. Rumi made her onstage debut, while Blue Ivy performed with her mother during “Déjà Vu.” On May 1 at SoFi Stadium in California, Beyoncé brought her family onstage to celebrate Tina Knowles’ memoir Matriarch, which recently topped the New York Times Best Seller list. The occasion also spotlighted high fashion, with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, Rumi, and Tina donning designer outfits from Mugler, Burberry, Oscar de la Renta, and Loewe. Vogue
Kerry Washington’s Sheer Elegance
Kerry Washington made a striking appearance at the 2025 Brooklyn Artists Ball held at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City on April 29. The 48-year-old actress wore a sheer black Dior dress featuring a high neckline, lace detailing on the bodice, and diamond eyelet patterns on the skirt. She paired the look with black underwear, a thick belt, layered necklaces, and statement jewelry. Washington styled her hair in an updo with curtain bangs, and completed her glamorous look with subtle makeup. She shared photos of the ensemble on Instagram with a caption referencing the Brooklyn Museum. People.com
Met Gala 2025: Superfine Reclaims Black Designers
This year’s Met Gala, anchored by the 2025 Costume Institute exhibition Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, presents a critical cultural intervention—one that positions Black designers not as footnotes within fashion history, but as foundational figures. More than a theme or spectacle, Superfine serves as both tribute and thesis: a nuanced, layered exploration of how Black designers, stylists, and cultural producers have shaped, challenged, and redefined the fashion landscape across centuries. BET
🌴 Caribbean: Culture in Bloom
The Caribbean Fashion Collective, led by Xavier Walker, Stewella Daville, and Norka Vasquez, is creating opportunities for designers from the Caribbean islands, fostering connections and celebrating cultural pride. Essence
In Martinique, Mounia Oroseman, the first Black haute couture model, continues to inspire with her legacy in fashion.
🇪🇺 Europe: Diasporic Elegance and Cultural Narratives
In Europe, Black women are leading fashion narratives that intertwine heritage and innovation. British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection, “Ori – Upon Reflection,” delved into the African diaspora’s history, featuring garments rich in texture and meaning.
At Milan Fashion Week 2025, Black fashion lovers transformed the scene with bold, personal styles, showcasing rich textures and undeniable presence.
🌍 Diaspora: Global Influence and Representation
Across the diaspora, Black women are shaping global fashion and sustainability. Amira Rasool, founder of The Folklore, is distributing fashion and lifestyle products from Africa and the diaspora, promoting diverse designers.
At Cornell University, the AFRIK fashion show celebrated cultural unity and diversity across the African diaspora, featuring clothing from professional and student designers incorporating a range of cultural influences.
This week, Black women are not just participating in the fashion narrative, they’re authoring it. From Canada’s community-driven showcases to the red carpets of Hollywood and the runways of New York, their influence is undeniable and transformative.
