Macy’s collabs with 5 Black designers for ‘Icons of Style’

When you walk out the door, make sure your outfit is always iconic.

Macy’s Icons of Style is here to help with that, with five Black designers you need to know about in 2021 and beyond. The collaboration between the department store and these fashion designers debuted March 29 on Macy’s site and in-person at select stores nationwide.

With clothing spanning ready-to-wear, men’s, and shoes, the esteemed designers include by Misa Hylton, Aminah Abdul Jillil and Allen Onyia designing for I.N.C, International Concepts, Zerina Akers for Bar III and Ouigi Theodore for Sun + Stone.

These brands are only found at Macy’s, and so are the exclusive spring designs. The special collaboration landing page with all the designers will be live until May 21 and the collection itself available to shop until it sells out but we highly recommend shopping now, as styles are sure to go fast.

“We are thrilled to celebrate Black excellence and amplify the voices and exceptional talent of five Black creatives,” said Durand Guion, vice president, Macy’s Fashion Office in the press release. “We’re using this moment to tell their stories and provide our fashion-devoted customers with exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces to help them express their personal style.”

Now to introduce the icons themselves and let their stories and style shine through. See below for a more in-depth look into the collections and the designers making Macy’s history and serious waves in the fashion world.

If you’re looking for bright colors and unapologetic patterns, Misa Hylton’s designs are for you. Working with INC, the Macy’s label, Hylton has come up with some amazing pieces perfect for the spring season.

“My designs vibrate on a high frequency. They bring happiness & excitement to the people who see them & to the women who wear them,” reads a quote from the designer on the Macy’s site.

Here are just a few looks from her collection.

Stand Collar Woven Blouse, $79.50

Designed with a woman’s body in mind, this blouse is the epitome of feminine energy, with bright colors and sleek lines to boot. The blouse comes in a size-inclusive range as well, from an XS to a 2XL.

Ruffle V-Neck Dress, $119.50

Embrace your wild child with this floral ruffled dress you need for the summer. Also designed for all body types, the dress comes in sizes from an XS to a 2XL and hits at the mid-thigh for a fun and flirty look.

This collection created just for Macy’s will elevate your shoe game to the next level. Jillil is a globally recognized footwear designer who takes closet staples like the black pump or nude stiletto and puts her own gilded spin on them.

“This collaboration is exciting to me because it means for me, personally that dreams come true. That hard work pays off. That being different and not like everyone else is ok,” said Aminah Abdul Jillil in the official press release.

Being different is more than just okay, as it brings new designs and innovative fashions to the world. Check out her collection of shoes below that aim to do just that.

Zitlaly Heart Sandals, $99.50

Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve, and wear it on your heels instead. A heartfelt take on the basic black heel, this golden version features a hollowed out heart as the heel itself. The shoe also comes in nude and ranges in size from a women’s five to an 11.

Satiya Chain Flat Sandals, $69.50

Taking the height down a notch but never the wow factor, if you need some stylish flats instead, give these a try. Also available in both an almond-colored nude and black, the flats feature a pop of gold in the chain that wraps around the ankle for a stylish and secure fit.

If you’ve been looking for casual menswear that isn’t boring or monochrome, Allen Onyia has a few pointers. He is a style coach and brand consultant, after all.

As the co-founder of UpscaleHype, the men’s fashion social media platform, you can be sure his styles are always on trend. For his Macy’s debut, you’ll find clean lines in his jackets, fun printed shirts and even tailored track pants to complete your spring capsule wardrobe.

“My friend recently described my style as attainable high fashion. It’s effortless, clean, sharp and edgy… and it’s reflected in this collection,” reads his quote on the Macy’s site.

Men’s Regular-Fit Abstract-Print Twill Jacket, $149.50

Don’t be afraid of a pop of color or a pop of the collar either. This men’s twill jacket combines the effortless look of an open jacket over a tee and jeans with an elevated color palette that screams spring. The color is called Worldly Blue and it’s made to fit most, with an inclusive size range from an XS to a 2XL.

Men’s Regular-Fit Colorblocked Stripe Track Pants, $69.50

Color-blocking has been in for a while, but we bet you’ve never seen it done like this before. Also available in a matching shirt, these track pants are color-blocked on the front in a green, orange and yellow combination, but totally black on the back for a fun surprise when you turn around. The pants (and the shirt should you want the whole look) come in sizes ranging from a men’s XS to a 2XL.

Reinventing classic items like the button-up shirt or tailored pant may seem impossible to most, but for Zerina Akers, it’s a typical day in the studio.

“I love very classic things typically, but how do we subvert them just a little bit? I’m all about garments that serve a greater purpose—things you can wear in multiple ways,” reads her quote on the Macy’s page.

It would be an honor to wear anything from her collection, as she was Beyoncé’s personal stylist, and curated some of the iconic outfits on the “Black Is King” visual album. Now, you too can feel like a queen, as her Bar III pieces are easy to wear but also make a powerful statement.

Solid Sweatshirt Maxi Dress, $89.50

A new hot take on the sweatshirt dress, this maxi is a must-have for anyone who values both style and comfort for spring. The dress comes in a pale blue and a pretty pink hue, and ranges in size from an XS to a 3XL to fit most. The dress also features faux sleeve tried around the waist as a brilliant added detail that you can’t miss.

Double-Waistband Faux-Leather Pants, $69.50

Double the waistband, double the style, right? Faux leather is all the rage right now, and Akers is honoring that in the coolest way possible. The tan-colored pants have a second waistband in a contrasting black, perfectly paired with a black crop top as seen above, or any of her other shirts in the collection.

Ouigi Theodore is bringing his Brooklyn Circus to Macy’s and you won’t want to miss it while it’s in town. He is the founder of the aforementioned brand and boutique, sold online and on Nevins Street in Brooklyn, NY.

Keep a keen eye when looking at his collection for Sun + Stone, as he alludes to some hidden details that only the most astute fashion lovers and Brooklyn natives may notice.

“The collection includes lots of hidden references and details. I stayed true to my love of classic items & to making things contemporary and future-proof,” reads his statement on the Macy’s site.

Men’s Cotton 1945 Striped T-Shirt, $35

This is the shirt we all need right now in America. The tee reads, “Love and hate could never be friends,” embroidered on a red, white and blue striped shirt. The tee is made of 100% cotton and comes in an inclusive size range from an XS to a 2XL.

Men’s Patch Graphic 12″ Shorts, $60

These shorts are perfect for spring and summer and will be the highlight of your wardrobe now that the snow is gone. The shorts come in a light yellow and feature an array of embroidered detail like a peace sign flower, a tiger, the number 45 and more to explore once you have these in your cart.