The Black Nouveau

Today’s Daily Honor goes to one of my favorite men’s designer’s, Ozwald Boateng. Former Creative Director of the luxury house Givenchy, Boateng’s tailoring if one of legend. He is a self-taught designer since the age of  16, and opened his first studio on London’s Portobello Road at the age of 23. Boateng is a huge fan of color, and blends traditional men’s tailoring with bold statement colors ( take note of the purple suit, his own design) that give menswear a new twist.  In 1994 Ozwald Boateng became the very first African American to open a shop on London’s prestigious Saville Row. An avenue in London where many believe the traditional, and exquisite tailoring of men’s fashion began.  In 2005 Ozwald celebrated 20 years at the forefront of British Tailoring and was honored with a major retrospective event at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and in 2006 Ozwald Boateng was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire), by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace  for his contributions to the tailoring industry. Ozwald Boateng is definitely a true pioneer of men’s fashion and we salute him.