Top 10 Fashion Designers in Louisiana (2025 Edition)

Creole Couture, Carnival Chic & Southern Innovation

Louisiana Style: Where Heritage, Performance, and Fashion Collide

Known for its vibrant cultural history, Creole traditions, and Mardi Gras magic, Louisiana has given rise to some of the most expressive and dynamic fashion designers in the South. Whether it’s theatrical costume design, Afro-Creole heritage fashion, or avant-garde streetwear, the state’s fashion identity is as rich and complex as its gumbo.

This guide introduces the top 10 fashion designers in Louisiana, spanning legacy names, rising creatives, and culturally rooted independent makers who define the spirit of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and beyond.

Famous and Leading Fashion Designers from Louisiana

1. Geoffrey Beene (Legacy)

• Born: Haynesville, LA
• Claim to Fame: Icon of American fashion, eight-time Coty Award winner
• Why He’s Famous: One of the most famous fashion designers from Louisiana, known for combining comfort, elegance, and wit in high fashion.

2. Krewe (Stirling Barrett)

• City: New Orleans
• Label: Krewe Eyewear
• Focus: Independent eyewear with a cult following
• Why Leading: Krewe’s handcrafted designs are now stocked globally and praised for their New Orleans soul.

3. Anthony Ryan Auld

• City: Baton Rouge / Shreveport
• Claim to Fame: Winner of Project Runway All Stars, now owns a luxury boutique
• Why He Leads: Anthony Ryan is one of the best fashion designers in Louisiana, creating ready-to-wear that merges minimalism with rich textures.

Top Emerging Fashion Designers in Louisiana

4. Oluwagbemisola “Gbemi” Olawumi (Gbemi Fashion)

• City: New Orleans
• Design Aesthetic: Afro-modern silhouettes, bold prints, cultural storytelling
• Why She’s Rising: Gbemi is redefining African fashion in the South through her vibrant collections.

5. Lauren Leblanc (Skye Belle)

• City: Lafayette
• Style: Eco-luxe loungewear and contemporary resortwear
• Why Emerging: Her commitment to sustainability and Creole comfort defines her rapidly growing brand.

6. Jaren Mitchell (2nd Line Streetwear)

• City: New Orleans
• Label: 2nd Line
• Focus: Urban wear infused with local culture, brass band references, and street celebration aesthetics
• Why Watch Him: Mitchell is a top emerging designer in Louisiana, transforming parade culture into global fashion.

Local and Independent Fashion Designers in Louisiana

7. Dominique Price (House of Dominique)

• City: Baton Rouge
• Specialty: Luxury bridalwear and formal gowns
• Why Independent: Known for couture-level construction and custom designs worn across the Southern states.

8. Ashley Longshore

• Base: New Orleans
• Medium: Pop art turned wearable fashion, accessories, and handbags
• Why She’s Local Royalty: Longshore’s art-meets-fashion creations are bold, unapologetic, and unmistakably Louisiana.

9. Devin Reynolds (ReynThreads)

• City: Lake Charles
• Label: ReynThreads
• Design Style: Reconstructed vintage denim, sustainable layering
• Why He Matters: A true independent fashion designer in Louisiana blending past and future aesthetics.

10. Mia LeBlanc (Maison Mia)

• City: New Orleans
• Focus: Hand-sewn Mardi Gras couture, mask and dress pairings
• Why Unique: She bridges costume and couture, rooted in Creole tradition.

Why Louisiana Fashion Has Global Appeal

1. Carnival Culture Inspires Boldness

Louisiana fashion embraces color, excess, expression, and joy—especially through Mardi Gras, jazz influence, and cultural mashups.

2. Diverse Cultural Roots

Creole, Cajun, African, French, and Caribbean influences collide to create stylistic depth not seen elsewhere.

3. Local Craft Meets Luxury Potential

From New Orleans’ French Quarter workshops to Lafayette’s textile creators, Louisiana fashion is built on artistry.

4. Growing Fashion Ecosystem

Events like Southern Design Week, NOLA Fashion Week, and Black Fashion Week USA offer emerging designers national platforms.

FAQs – Fashion Designers in Louisiana

1. Who is the most famous fashion designer from Louisiana?
   Geoffrey Beene is globally renowned, followed by designers like Krewe’s Stirling Barrett and Anthony Ryan Auld.
2. Where can I find local fashion brands in Louisiana?
   Visit Royal Street in New Orleans, Mid City boutiques, Lafayette arts markets, or shop online from regional storefronts.
3. Are there fashion schools in Louisiana?
   Yes—Louisiana State University and Tulane University offer programs in fashion merchandising and design.
4. Is there sustainable fashion in Louisiana?
   Definitely—designers like Lauren Leblanc and Devin Reynolds lead in ethical and upcycled clothing.
5. What makes Louisiana fashion unique?
   It’s rooted in cultural expression, costume traditions, and Southern vibrance, making it bold, celebratory, and deeply personal.