5 Black Fashion Stylists You Need on Your Radar

A perfectly tailored suit, a red carpet moment that breaks the internet and music videos where every scene is a moodboard. While celebrities serve, it's stylists who set the table and feed the girls with looks they'll never forget. As the 2025 MET Gala honors Black Dandyism, we've compiled a list of Black stylists who are some of fashion’s best-kept secrets.

We all know Law Roach. The industry's most booked, yet retired legend. When he announced his retirement in 2023 due to industry disrespect, all Black creatives in the industry could think was, "He goes through it, too?" As soon as he set the record straight, everyone wanted to score a spot next to Zendaya as his favorite to dress. But what's important is that the game is seemingly impossible, even for icons. So, what about emerging stylists?

The (Silent) Rules of the Game

Typically, becoming a successful stylist begins when you find a lead stylist with a strong clientele to assist. From there, you make yourself a valuable intern, doing everything from gathering garments to chatting with vendors. This is your entry into the industry. Here, you'll get to work with A-listers and refine your skills before meeting your dream celebrity client who will catapult you into the public eye. For Black stylists, however, the journey to success is much more complicated.

Overcoming Struggles

Of the many hurdles Black stylists face, visibility is one of them. Often, stylists have to hustle until they meet their celebrity match, which then catapults them to success and later solidifies the hype. Notable stylist-celeb duos include Roach and Zendaya, Doechii and Sam Woolf, Cardi B and Kollin Carter and Jenna Tyson and Justin Bieber.

Patrick Lynere, a Los Angeles-based stylist, most recently worked on Vogue's "Superfine" and Dandy issue, which featured A$AP Rocky, Dapper Dan, Ayo Edebiri, Lupita N'yongo and more. He often works with the likes of Roach, and this year, will be styling artist Jordan Casteel for the MET Gala. His best piece of advice? "Do the work first and everything will follow."

As Honor the Gift stylist and Russell Westbrook's right hand, Kateri Zapp, shared, "The biggest struggle for emerging stylists is gatekeeping... Assisting offers invaluable experience and exposure, but building a strong personal brand is essential," she said. "It's a fine balance between proving your creative vision and building trust in an industry that thrives on reputation and connections." For Zapp, it took assisting on Megan thee Stallion and Beyoncé's teams, in addition to freelance gigs with Jordan and private clientele, that led her to the HTG team, helping her earn her name in the industry.

New York-based Stylist Gigi Fernandez echoed what Zapp told us. "Black and Brown stylists lack access to opportunities, visibility and recognition," she said. "Despite the immense talent, creativity and cultural influence we bring, we've long been underrepresented — particularly in high fashion spaces, editorial platforms and major brand partnerships. It's a conversation that's been repeated countless times. Thankfully, we're starting to definitely see a shift. This year's MET Gala theme is a strong indicator of that and I love that for us."

Best Advice for Aspiring Stylists

As you can imagine, this makes the rise to success extremely difficult. The best advice for emerging stylists, Zapp shares, is one that's integral to the job, but rarely discussed. "Secure the budget upfront —before any pulls, purchases or prep begins. When you're starting out, it's easy to fall into the trap of fronting expenses and relying on credit cards to float the job, but that quickly becomes unsustainable." To curb this, "ask for at least a partial budget or expense advance to not only protect you financially but also signal professionalism. Treat every project like a business transaction—because it is."

If you’re an emerging stylist or simply a creative seeking inspiration, continue reading for more Black stylists behind your favorite looks.

Gigi Fernandez

 

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Calling all streetwear girlies, if you love to make a statement, Fernandez's rolodex is practically your new moodboard. Born and raised in New York City, her artistry has elevated the images of your favorites like Keke Palmer, Rosalía, Becky G and Rauw Alejandro.

Kateri Zapp

 

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