New Orleans’ heart beats creativity and style during Mardi Gras season. An entire ecosystem has been established that lifts up the Black creative culture that exists in the city. There are some incredible fashion and stylemakers in New Orleans, people who have built reputations and lives as contributors to Mardi Gras culture and the culture at-large with their designs and crafts.
These five designers are just some of the bespoke designers who keep revelers and krewe royalty looking resplendent during Mardi Gras season.
Oonarissa Brown-Bernard (IG @oonanicolellc) is a Southern University graduate who rocked New York Fashion Week. She creates custom menswear, and custom gowns and dresses.
Renee J. (IG @afrimodiste) is a NOLA based designer, who is a preferred designer of krewes like the Krewe of Athena. Her custom creations will be the highlight of many Mardi Gras events.
Ms. Korebelle (IG @korebellekkofetche) is the stylist and designer to the stars and everybody is a star in her universe. Ms. Korebelle designs for Big Freedia, Lil’ Kim, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, some krewe queens, prom queens, homecoming queens and brides.
Laron Q. Nelson (IG @opulent_designs) is chief of the Krewe of Symphony but he uses his design skills to provide furred, beaded and feathered collars, crowns, trains and other royalty accoutrement for various other krewes in New Orleans.
Harold Clarke Designs (IG @haroldclarkecouturier) is a go-to gown, luxury suit and cocktail dress couturier. His work is on permanent exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum.
These five Black-owned boutiques provide luxury ready-to-wear that can be found at balls and other Mardi Gras events.
Set A Spell NOLA | High-end thrift and vintage store | 3233 Loyola Ave, New Orleans
West London Boutique | Women’s clothing store f/ emerging designers | 3952 Magazine Street, New Orleans IG: @westlondonbtq
Le Marais Boutique | A wearable art gallery | 1933 Sophie Wright Place, New Orleans | IG @lemaraisbtq
odAOMO | Luxury design & fashion | 3824 Magazine Street, New Orleans | IG @odaomo
Rich Auntie Vintage | Specializing in 80s/90s Opulence & Drama | IG @richauntievintage
Last but hardly the least, we have to shout out the faithful revelers who gather on Fat Tuesday for parades and parties. Here are a few captures of women and girls who embody the whimsy and fabulousness of the day: Isis Alston @isisalston, Michelle Williams @iammichellemonique, SweetMeetPlus @sweetmeetplus, Twin love 💕 @twinz_el_on_, Graceful Couture @graceful_couture and Shanrika Dangerfield @rika_renee_.
These people are always ready to greet the season or any season’s social demands with panache. Follow them on Instagram to see their work and play.
Robin Caldwell
Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and academic researcher focusing on Black history, heritage and culture. Public historian primarily in Black American historical foodways: antebellum and regional.
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Robin Caldwell is the blogger behind freshandfriedhard.com and academic researcher focusing on Black history, heritage and culture. Public historian primarily in Black American historical foodways: antebellum and regional.
