The Black Design Collective (BDC) is shaping the narrative of modern fashion. From a historic Oscar win to a commanding presence at the 2025 Met Gala, BDC members and collaborators are rewriting the rules of luxury, artistry, and cultural relevance—one stitch at a time.
A Met Gala Takeover: Style with Substance
The 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” became a landmark moment for Black designers. With a focus on legacy and innovation, BDC members brought vision and meaning to the red carpet.
Charles Harbison of Harbison Studio led the charge with multiple standout designs:
- Simone Biles glided across the carpet in a custom Seraphim gown—a capri blue showpiece with a cathedral-length train, 3D appliqué, and metallic floral embroidery. “This look is about strength in softness,” Harbison said. “Simone represents grace under pressure. I wanted to echo that in every stitch.”
- Mindy Kaling redefined formalwear in a Libra tuxedo adorned with gold accents and a dramatic sash-train hybrid.
- Audra McDonald brought regal energy in a Cirrus gown and opera cape-coat, while artist Jordan Casteel embodied the theme’s spirit in a gender-fluid tailored look.
Harbison added, “The Met Gala was an invitation to bring our cultural past into fashion’s future. We answered with precision, with power.”
Bishme Cromartie also made waves:
- Zuri Hall wore a structured pinstripe bustier gown with off-the-shoulder straps, a red rosette, and a mermaid silhouette. “This was about commanding elegance,” Cromartie shared. “I wanted Zuri to walk in as a monument.”
- Cromartie also dressed two additional on-air hosts, though their names remain under wraps. “I may not have walked the carpet, but my work was there, speaking its own language,” he said.
Kenneth Nicholson offered conceptual minimalism:
- Fabiola Beracasa Beckman stunned in a custom Nicholson suit.
- Hildy Kuryk wore a bold black wool design with a house-print lapel. Nicholson noted, “Tailoring is language. For me, it speaks quietly but with authority.”
Ruth E. Carter: Legacy in Motion
Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter brought symbolic depth to the carpet.
“I’m honored to present this look at Met Gala Superfine on a rain-filled day. Tonight, Teyana Taylor’s 2018 song ‘Rose in Harlem’ is taking on new meaning at the 2025 Met Gala,” Carter said.
Known for her work on Black Panther, Carter’s words echoed across the event: resilience, excellence, and Black womanhood embodied in design.
Paul Tazewell: Making Oscar History
Paul Tazewell, celebrated Broadway costume designer and proud BDC member, made Academy Awards history this year by winning Best Costume Design for Wicked, becoming the first Black man and second Black person to ever receive the honor.
“To be recognized for storytelling through clothing—that means everything,” Tazewell shared. “This win isn’t just for me. It’s for every designer of color who deserves to see themselves at the highest levels.”
His designs reimagined Oz with opulence and grit: Glinda in shimmering layers, Elphaba grounded in earthy asymmetry. Tazewell’s win confirms what many already knew: excellence is not new—it’s just now being seen.
Paul Tazewell’s Designs at the 2025 Met Gala
At the 2025 Met Gala, themed “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell made a significant impact with his innovative designs that honored Black sartorial traditions while embracing theatrical flair.
Chappell Roan: Disco Dandyism Reimagined
Making her Met Gala debut, singer Chappell Roan collaborated with Paul Tazewell to create a vibrant ensemble that paid homage to 1970s glam rock and disco icons. The outfit featured a glittery, patchwork pink suit complemented by a feathered cape, reflecting Roan’s bold and transformative beauty style. Renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath enhanced the look with shimmering metallics and rhinestone details, capturing the spirit of unrestrained celebration and high fashion.
Janelle Monáe: A Time-Traveling Tailoring Statement
Janelle Monáe, a seasoned Met Gala attendee, collaborated with Paul Tazewell and Thom Browne to create a cinematic ensemble inspired by the concept of time travel. The look featured an oversized cape with a trompe l’oeil suit and an inside-out skirt suit, showcasing intricate tailoring that reflected the event’s dress code: “Tailored for You.” Monáe’s outfit was accessorized with a bowler hat and a working clock monocle, exemplifying her signature blend of futurism, deconstructed gender norms, and vintage flair.
Debbie Allen: Elegance and Empowerment
Legendary actress and producer Debbie Allen made her glamorous debut at the 2025 Met Gala, wearing an elegant red dress custom-designed by Paul Tazewell. The ensemble included bejeweled Clergerie shoes, a hat fashioned by Tazewell, and a Judith Leiber bag, all styled to celebrate the event’s theme. Allen expressed that the theme highlighted Black fashion, style, and cultural influence, which she celebrated as a powerful expression of dignity and freedom.
Paul Tazewell’s contributions to the 2025 Met Gala exemplified his ability to blend historical references with contemporary design, creating ensembles that were both visually stunning and rich in cultural significance.
Cross Colours x Black Radiance: Beauty as a Movement
Two iconic Black-owned brands, Cross Colours and Black Radiance Beauty, partnered to launch a bold, retro-inspired makeup collection celebrating 80s and 90s hip-hop culture.
The collection, launched in December 2024 and followed by a fashion show in February 2025, includes cassette-shaped eyeshadow palettes, Mic Drop mascaras, ombre lipsticks, and high-gloss metallic lips.
“We wanted to make makeup that feels like self-expression—like community,” said a Black Radiance spokesperson. “This collaboration isn’t just about color. It’s about identity.”
Geoff Duran x The Calloways: Rich in Style
In a music-meets-fashion moment, designer Geoff Duran partnered with R&B group The Calloways, known for their classic hit “I Wanna Be Rich,” to create a refreshed, high-style look for 2025.
Duran’s sleek tailoring and retro-glam aesthetic will debut in a special editorial for the upcoming collector’s issue of AGENDA magazine, showcasing the fusion of musical legacy and modern Black design. The feature will also include an in-depth interview and fashion spread documenting The Calloways’ comeback and their continued cultural impact. Known for their classic hit “I Wanna Be Rich,” to create a refreshed, high-style look for 2025.
Duran’s sleek tailoring and retro-glam aesthetic will debut in a special editorial for the upcoming collector’s issue of AGENDA magazine, showcasing the fusion of musical legacy and modern Black design.
Kevan Hall: Bridging Cultures
As president and co-founder of the Black Design Collective, Kevan Hall continues to elevate global design narratives. His Fall/Winter 2025 collection, “Journey to Japan,” draws from Japanese textile traditions like kintsugi and suminagashi, fused with Hall’s signature West Coast elegance.
“I was inspired by the beauty in imperfection,” Hall explained. “The healing visible in kintsugi—golden repair lines across broken pottery—it’s a metaphor for how we navigate identity and artistry.”
His collection, praised across fashion media, cements his place as both a creative and cultural leader.
Epperson: Covering Culture with Couture
Designer Epperson, known for his deconstructivist aesthetic and sculptural approach to fashion, continues to rise as one of the most distinctive voices in the industry. In 2025, his work appeared on the covers of two prominent fashion magazines, each celebrating his innovative vision and cultural resonance.
With collections that blend urban grit with artistic elegance, Epperson’s designs are as intellectually driven as they are visually arresting. These recent covers reflect the designer’s continued impact on redefining how Black fashion is seen, felt, and remembered.
BDC Community Meeting & Membership Announcement
The Black Design Collective hosts its upcoming community meeting, featuring Charles Harbison in conversation with emerging and established designers. These events provide mentorship, industry insight, and community engagement.
BDC also announced that membership will open this June, offering new designers access to collective resources, mentorship, and inclusion in a powerful legacy.
A Movement in Motion
What we witnessed at the 2025 Met Gala and beyond wasn’t just fashion. It was reclamation. It was brilliance. From couture to cosmetics, stage to screen, the Black Design Collective is shaping fashion’s now and next. Visit https://www.blackdesigncollective.com to learn more!
