The Fashion w/ Ksyn Cason:Bronx Fashion Designers You Should Know

Model Ksyn Cason wearing Ralph Lauren

The Bronx has long been a cultural powerhouse, shaping music, art, and street culture. Emerging designers from this borough are redefining style with fresh perspectives, bold designs, and deep connections to their community. These creators bring unique voices to the fashion world, blending heritage, innovation, and street influences. If you want to discover new talent making waves beyond Manhattan’s fashion spotlight, the Bronx is where you should look.

This post highlights some of the most promising Bronx fashion designers today, their backgrounds, signature styles, and what sets them apart. Their stories show how fashion can be a form of expression and empowerment rooted in place and culture.

The Bronx has a rich history of influencing fashion, especially through hip-hop culture and streetwear. It’s home to diverse communities that inspire designers to create clothing that reflects real life, identity, and resilience.

Designers like Ralph Lauren... Yes, the iconic Ralph Lauren was born in the Bronx. Lauren has built up one of the largest fashion empires in the world, all from scratch. When you hear the name Ralph Lauren you probably picture his signature Polo shirts that are a staple in today’s fashion. He was known by his colleagues for his hustle and entrepreneurial spirit. He actually didn’t start with shirts, but with ties, selling them to his classmates during his lunch breaks or in between classes.

He was eventually hired by Beau Brummell, a tie manufacturer and in 1967, the company’s president allowed Lauren to create his own line. He called his line “Polo” and designed his ties against the trends of the time. Just within his first year in business, he sold $500,000 worth of ties to high-end names in men’s clothing. These included Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, launching him to the success he is today. (ralphlauren.com)

The borough’s energy fuels creativity. Local markets, community events, and collaborations with artists and musicians provide a fertile ground for exploration and experimentation. This environment nurtures designers who want to push boundaries while staying connected to their roots.

Notable Emerging Designers from the Bronx

1. Telfar Clemens: (telfar.net)

Though now internationally recognized, Telfar Clemens started in the Bronx and remains deeply connected to his community. His brand, Telfar, is known for its unisex designs and the iconic “Shopping Bag,” which has become a symbol of inclusivity and accessibility in fashion.

• Signature style: Gender-neutral, minimalist, and functional

• Impact: Made luxury fashion more affordable and inclusive

• Community focus: Collaborates with local artists and supports Bronx youth programs

  
  

Telfar’s success shows how Bronx designers can influence global fashion while staying true to their origins.

2. Kerby Jean-Raymond: (pyermoss.com)

Kerby Jean-Raymond, founder of Pyer Moss, grew up in the Bronx and uses fashion to address social issues. His collections often highlight Black culture and history, blending storytelling with high fashion.

• Signature style: Bold, narrative-driven, and socially conscious

• Achievements: Won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2018

• Community engagement: Uses fashion shows to raise awareness about racial injustice

  
  

Jean-Raymond’s work demonstrates how Bronx designers can combine creativity with activism.

3. LaQuan Smith: ( laquansmith.com )

LaQuan Smith is another Bronx-born designer who has gained attention for his glamorous and daring designs. His pieces often feature sharp tailoring and sensual silhouettes, worn by celebrities on red carpets.

• Signature style: Bold, sexy, and luxurious

• Celebrity clients: Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga

• Growth: From Bronx beginnings to international fashion weeks

  
  

Smith’s journey highlights how Bronx talent can break into mainstream fashion while maintaining a distinct voice.

4. Romeo Hunte: ( romeohunte.com )

Romeo Hunte is known for his menswear that blends classic tailoring with streetwear influences. Raised in the Bronx, he creates pieces that are both stylish and wearable, appealing to a broad audience.

• Signature style: Tailored, modern, and versatile

• Recognition: Featured in major fashion publications and worn by athletes

• Philosophy: Designs clothes that empower men to express themselves confidently

Hunte’s approach reflects the Bronx’s mix of tradition and contemporary culture.

5. Mugzy McFly: (SignedbyMcFly)

Jevaughn Williams, A.K.A. Mugzy McFly, is known for his clothing line Signed by McFly that he started with just a dollar and a dream. McFly took his $1000 credit limit and his passion for fashion and launched his own t-shirt business back in 2013 and since then he has managed to expand his clothing to include accessories, sneakers and outerwear

• Signature style: Urban

• Recognition: Worn by artists like Jim Jones and Maino of Lets rap about it podcast with Fabolous and Dave East.

6. Jerome Lamaar:

Jerome LaMaar is a born and raised Bronx native and former designer who wants his boutique to remain an anchor on Bruckner Boulevard. When Jerome started his career, he wanted to tap into the culture of the Bronx, just like many other artists in the neighborhood. Fast forward to present day where he envisions his store as more of a club where people from all walks of life can come together. 

• Signature style: Urban Chic

• Recognition: His shop attracts not only locals but famous celebs such as Tina Knowles

Many Bronx designers emphasize their ties to local culture and people. Their work often reflects the borough’s diversity and history, making their collections feel authentic.

Designers from the Bronx tend to create clothing that breaks down barriers, whether through gender-neutral styles or affordable luxury. This approach challenges traditional fashion norms and opens doors for more people to engage with style.

Fashion becomes a medium for sharing stories about identity, struggle, and triumph. Designers use their platforms to highlight social issues or celebrate cultural heritage, adding depth to their creations.

The Bronx’s influence on streetwear is undeniable. Emerging designers skillfully merge casual, urban aesthetics with high-fashion elements, creating fresh looks that resonate globally.

Don't believe me... Just ask Flora Montes, Founder and CEO of Bronx Fashion Week.

Fashion didn't just shape Flora Montes — she re-imagined it, rebuilt it, and made it mean something more.

A Bronx-born creative leader, proud Puerto Rican, and visionary founder of Bronx Fashion Week and Bronx Fashion NYC, Flora has spent over a decade proving that fashion is far more than what you wear. It is a language. A lifeline. A force for change.

Through Bronx Fashion Week, she produces runway shows and cultural events that do what the mainstream industry too often fails to do — make room. For emerging designers. For unseen models. For Bronx creatives who have always had the talent and finally have the stage.

Through Fashion Redefined, Flora bridges fashion with mental health and wellness — building spaces where youth, students, and individuals navigating life's hardest chapters don't just learn to design or style, they learn to heal. To stand taller. To trust their own voice.

Her impact has been recognized by the Bronx Borough President's Office, Morris Heights Health Center, the New York Times as a Cultural Ambassador and Elected Officials — among others. But her greatest honor is the lives she touches every day. (bronxfashionweek.com)

As the Bronx’s fashion scene grows stronger; educational programs, incubators, and community initiatives are emerging to nurture new talent. This momentum suggests the Bronx will continue to be a vital source of fresh ideas and styles in the fashion world.

Emerging Bronx fashion designers are not just creating clothes; they are shaping culture and inspiring change. Their work invites us to rethink fashion as a tool for expression, inclusion, and of course community building.

Fresh, Fresh, Fresh... yes Im FRESH!

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Explore the work of these designers and keep an eye on the Bronx as a rising fashion destination. Their creativity and vision offer exciting possibilities for the future of style.

XoXo

Miss Ksyn