Up And Coming: Designers Who Draw Inspiration From Their Heritage

By Shaunelle Harrydass-Clark,

Dec. 15, 2023

More and more new POC fashion designers are turning to their personal heritage and past as they carve their way in the industry.

Jisoo Baik

Drawing inspiration from her South Korean heritage, Baik combines intricate embroidery and lace with modern monolithic silhouettes, describing her work as 'floating architecture'. Baik pays homage to 1930-1960s couture with her elegant and innovative designs.

One of her recent pieces was custom made for Nicki Minaj, for her newest album cover, with a stand-out cascading lace silhouette in hot pink fabric.

To find out more about Baik’s carefully created pieces and her brand visit the JISOOBAIK website.

Gaurav Gupta

Gaurav Gupta has drawn his inspiration from ancient Indian philosophies, design and culture. And has become known for his trademark sweeping saree-inspired gowns, worn by the likes of Beyoncé, Cardi B and Megan the Stallion.

Gaurav described his brand was a 'culturalist' brand for culturalists. Which resonates in his designs and the celebrities he has dressed. Gaurav is a new Indian institution in heritage-inspired fashion.

Follow him and his creations at: @gauravguptaofficial

Maximilian Davis

Trinidadian-Jamaican designer Maximilian Davis heralds from Manchester, from a tight-knit family full of artistic talent. Davis' creations inherit the spirit of Trinidad's carnival culture in their extravagant designs. His work has favoured by celebs as big as Rihanna, Dua Lipa and ASAP Rocky.

It's no wonder Ferragamo, luxury leather house, picked him up in 2022 to revitalise the brand. Davis said that one of his biggest goals with his first collection in Fashion East was to 'broaden perceptions' of Black identities.

Maximilian Davis is the Creative Director of Ferragamo currently and you can follow him at: @_maximiliandavis_

LaQuan Smith

LaQuan Smith's work is inspired by his upbringing in Queens, NYC, and by his grandmother who gave him a passion for sewing and pattern making. He was only 21 when he began the LaQuan Smith brand, bringing nerve and elegance to the design world.

LaQuan says he 'put neoprene on the map' and has now gone on to work with some of the biggest celebrities in the world such as Beyoncé, The Kardashians and Winnie Harlow.

Smith's work can be seen on his website at: LaQuan Smith.

Jesus Herrera & Gabriel Brandon-Hanson

Herrera and Brandon-Hanson drew inspiration from their Mexican heritage, calling their brand Les Jesus. They said that their brand name was 'tongue in cheek', taking couture and classic Mexican vibes to bind it together. Selling on Etsy at thevintagejesus, Les Jesus has a defining focus on sustainability and hand-crafting their garments, much like traditional Mexican crafting culture.

Herrera and Brandon-Hanson's work can be found at their Instagram for Les Jesus: @lesjesus_official and at thevintagejesus on Etsy.

Aurora James

Aurora James founded her brand, Brother Vellies, in 2013, wanting to keep true African traditions in fashion alive in the 21st century. Her luxury footwear and stunning accessories have been seen on celebrities such as Zendaya, Solange, Lupita Nyong'o and Beyoncé.

Brother Vellies is a handmade, sustainable brand being made across the globe to diversify the industry with African fashion and to spread eco-friendly designs everywhere.

Her brand can be found at aurorajames.com where her book on her life can be found - an inspiring read.

Rachel Scott

Diotima is Rachel Scott's brand, created to give back to her home country, Jamaica. All pieces are crafted between New York and Jamaica, tailored with Heritage Tweeds in the UK. All crochet used in her designs is made in Jamaica, creating a sustainable network of artisinal jobs.

“Tropical wool and basket weaves is gathered from storied Italian mills, all on a cycle back to sustainability and awareness of the world around us” Scott said that she was advocating for a 'more expansive definition of luxury, one that is not exclusively centred in Europe'.

All information, stockists and Rachel Scott's profile can be found on Diotima's website.