In Atlanta, style isn’t just an accessory—it’s a declaration. And no community has shaped, elevated, and challenged the boundaries of American fashion quite like the Black community with their iconic Black fashion.
From civil rights-era defiance to red carpet dominance, Black fashion is more than a trend; it’s a testimony.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s essential to spotlight the cultural legacy carried not just in stories and struggles, but in stitches and silhouettes.
Clothing has long been a silent—or sometimes very loud—form of resistance, empowerment, and pride in the Black community.
At ATL Tailor, we honor the influence of Black fashion not as outsiders looking in, but as collaborators in expression. We see the Zoot Suit’s bold silhouette echoed in modern lapels.
We feel the confidence of Michelle Obama’s plum coat woven into the custom overcoats we design today. Our bespoke tailoring often draws inspiration from these cultural touchstones—moments where fashion met legacy.
This isn’t just a retrospective. It’s a reminder of how style becomes statement, and how tailoring becomes tribute. Here are ten iconic Black fashion moments that continue to shape the fabric of ATL Tailor’s design philosophy.
1. The Zoot Suit: Rebellion in Broad Strokes
Wide shoulders. Billowing pants. Razor-sharp tailoring. The Zoot Suit of the 1940s wasn’t just a style—it was a form of protest. Worn by Black and Latinx youth, it defied wartime fabric restrictions and embraced self-definition over conformity.
At ATL Tailor, this legacy lives on in bold silhouettes designed for clients who command the room. We take cues from the exaggerated lines of the Zoot Suit, reinterpreting them in structured shoulders, strong lapels, and custom statement pieces that honor confidence.
2. Dashikis and African Prints: A Pattern of Pride and Iconic Black Fashion
The late 1960s and ’70s marked a shift as African Americans looked toward their heritage for style inspiration. Dashikis, kente cloth, and Ankara fabrics became everyday wear—bright, unapologetic, and rooted in history.
Today, we craft garments for clients who request custom linings, trims, or even outerwear featuring African-inspired textiles. Incorporating these elements into modern tailoring is not a costume—it’s a celebration. At ATL Tailor, we respect the symbolism and honor the intent: to wear one’s ancestry with pride.
3. The Afro and the Natural Hair Movement: Beauty in Authenticity
While not a garment, the Afro became one of the most powerful style symbols of the 20th century. It challenged Eurocentric beauty standards and proudly reclaimed space.
As tailors, we pay attention to the full presentation. Clients with natural hairstyles often seek designs that complement volume and shape—from extended collar widths to balanced jacket proportions. The message? Your natural self deserves clothing that rises to meet it.
4. Josephine Baker: The Original Icon
Before there was red carpet glam, there was Josephine Baker. Her sleek silhouettes, feathered ensembles, and daring stage looks helped define 1920s Parisian chic. But more importantly, she was a Black woman rewriting beauty and glamour in a world that refused her.
When clients come to ATL Tailor asking for Old Hollywood inspiration with a modern edge, we channel Baker’s sensibility. Think body-skimming dresses, tailored tuxedo gowns, and fearless embellishments that feel as current as ever.
5. Dapper Dan: Streetwear Meets Luxury
Harlem legend Dapper Dan didn’t wait for high fashion to open its doors—he kicked them open with custom jackets and suits made from repurposed luxury logos. What began as bootleg became blueprint.
Today, Dapper Dan collaborates with Gucci. And at ATL Tailor, we’re constantly inspired by his ethos: tailored clothing should reflect your identity, not erase it. We create custom designs for artists, entrepreneurs, and stylists who want the flair of streetwear with the precision of bespoke.
6. Hip-Hop’s Sartorial Evolution: From Run-D.M.C. to Roc Nation
Track suits, gold chains, Kangol hats—hip-hop in the ’80s and ’90s created a distinct look that married grit and flash. As the genre evolved, so did the fashion: think Jay-Z’s Tom Ford tuxedos, Pharrell’s Chanel, or Kendrick Lamar in custom Louis Vuitton.
The crossover from stage to red carpet demanded versatility. ATL Tailor answers that call by crafting performance wear, award-show attire, and casual-luxe sets for clients in entertainment. Our garments don’t just fit—they move, they photograph, they represent.
7. Beyoncé: The Modern Muse
Every Beyoncé appearance is a masterclass in styling. But her 2016 Super Bowl tribute to the Black Panthers was more than fashion—it was statement. Black leather, military-inspired tailoring, and unapologetic symbolism.
That moment inspired a wave of clients looking for garments that balance elegance with purpose. At ATL Tailor, we’ve crafted high-collared coats, double-breasted suits, and bold monochrome sets that borrow from that visual vocabulary—commanding, feminine, and unforgettable.
8. Rihanna: Red Carpet Revolutionary
From crystal-studded gowns to oversized streetwear silhouettes, Rihanna plays by her own rules. Her 2015 Met Gala look in a 55-pound Guo Pei robe or her Savage X Fenty lingerie shows? They’re proof that fashion should be fearless.
For our most daring clients, Rihanna is muse and permission. We’ve built asymmetrical suits, exaggerated sleeve jackets, and gender-fluid looks inspired by her fearless approach. We don’t recreate; we reimagine—through the lens of each wearer.
9. Virgil Abloh: Redefining the Rules
As the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear, Virgil Abloh broke barriers with Off-White’s deconstructed looks and cultural commentary. He blended skate culture, design theory, and couture into a new language.
Abloh showed that tailoring could have quotation marks, irony, and intention. For our younger clients, he’s a touchstone. At ATL Tailor, we’ve embraced color blocking, statement patches, and unconventional proportions in capsule pieces inspired by his spirit.
10. Michelle Obama: Elegance That Empowers
Her style during the White House years—and especially her plum Sergio Hudson coat at the 2021 inauguration—set a standard for power dressing. Polished, vibrant, and full of intent, she showed the world that a First Lady can command a room in jewel tones.
ATL Tailor draws on this elegance in our suiting for high-profile women in law, politics, and business. We believe structure is strength, and our custom garments blend architectural lines with movement—because power should never feel stiff.
Black Fashion Is Atlanta Fashion
In Atlanta, the influence of Black culture isn’t on the fringes—it’s at the center. From Cascade Road to Peachtree Street, fashion here is rich with story. ATL Tailor is proud to serve a clientele that doesn’t just follow trends, but defines them.
We don’t just tailor garments. We tailor identity. From legacy-inspired overcoats to red-carpet-ready tuxedos, every custom suit and dress stitch carries culture. Because we know what our clients know: real style isn’t borrowed—it’s built.
This Black History Month, celebrate by investing in garments that reflect your history, your influence, and your future.