Last week, Revolve, an e-commerce fashion site, came under fire for its lack of diversity after the brand posted an Instagram photo of a group of influencers that excluded darker skinned and plus-size women. The photo sparked a backlash, and an outpouring of responses from women of color about the serious lack of representation, not just at Revolve, but in the entire influencer and blogger community.
Valerie Eguavoen, founder of the plus-size fashion and lifestyle blog On A Curve, was among those women; she commented, messaged Revolve, and took to her own blog: “Hundreds of black women and other women of color express their frustrations on this topic every single day—through the comment sections, on their platforms, and through emails and DM’s to the brands themselves. Our voices are out there, but they are not being heard. That is, until today.”
In response, Eguavoen started the Instagram account You Belong Now to showcase and highlight “influencers who are content creators, and who work hard to produce content, but are consistently overlooked because of the color of their skin, their ethnicity, their religion, their gender, their size.”
While You Belong Now is largely geared toward the fashion industry, bloggers of color in the design world are speaking out, too. Shavonda Gardner, creator of SG Stye and the Modern Maverick winner of Domino’s first Design blog awards wrote in her Instagram stories: “It’s about time that what we are clearly noticing and talking about amongst ourselves as influencers and content creators gets talked about and discussed. And that’s a blatant lack of diversity, visibility, and opportunity.”
She went on to note, “It’s about what is celebrated on a larger scale, and what is not. When what you see being shared and praised and reposted and pushed out by brands and companies and media is the same look, aesthetic, and people, it tells a very clear story and sends a very clear message.”
And it’s not just about race—Gardner makes the point that this is about diversity of styles, too: “This is why the visibility is essential, and why representation matters. And it’s why I show up and share my life and try my hardest to inspire everyday.”Instagram’s own algorithm is part of the problem. The “discover” feed is based on people that you follow, so you’re only going to find accounts that are similar to what you’re already seeing.
But there’s an easy solution: Diversify your Instagram feed. You can start by following these 47 creative people of color, who are sharing their beautiful, inspiring designs every day. Many thanks to Gardner who highlighted some of these accounts in her own feed.
Have another designer to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.
Shavonda Gardner
Designer and founder of SG Style, a blog dedicated to small space living, boho vibes, and colorful spaces.
Neffi Walker
Interior designer, owner of home decor shop The Black Home Design.
Ariene Bethea
Owner of the colorful and eclectic vintage furniture boutique Dressing Rooms Interiors in Charlotte, NC.
Carmeon Hamilton
Memphis-based interior designer and stylist, founder of Nubi Interiors and the blog Cohesive Randomness.
Anita Yokota
SoCal-based blogger and interior designer with plenty of plant knowledge, named Domino’s Best New Design Blog for 2017.
Forbes + Masters
A full-service interior design firm based in Atlanta and run by two young designers, Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters, who bring a fresh, eclectic aesthetic to every project.
Emily Blanchard
Product stylist, brand influencer, and blogger from Rhode Island with a thing for DIYs and her pitbull, Opal.
Stacey-Anne Blake
Army wife, mama of three, and creator of Design Addict Mom with a penchant for color.
Angie True
The original plant mom living in Northern California. Owner of The Decor Adobe, a vintage etsy shop.
Mylene Raspado
Chicago-based interior design consultant with an eye for texture, founder of Mylene Raspado Design.
Justina Blakeney
Lifestyle blogger, designer, best-selling author, and creator of The Jungalow who brought boho to the everyday masses with The New Bohemian series.
Hilton Carter
Artist, small-space dweller, and plant lover, Carter shares greenery-filled photos and inspiration on his feed and sells handmade products on Things by HC. Take a tour of his home here.
Nicole Gibbons
Blogger, interior designer, founder of Nicole Gibbons Studio, and TV personality currently living in New York City.
Dani Arps
Arps has become the go-to designer for start-ups, so you’ll find a lot of minimalist lofts and co-working spaces on the feed of this NYC-based designer.
Stephen Burks
Product development consultant and founder of Stephen Burks Man Made, a design-driven studio that puts authentic handmade goods and production first.
Brandy Brown
Creative director, graphic artist, DIYer, expert entertainer, and founder of Marabou Design.
Ishka Designs
Brooklyn-based husband and wife design duo known for their hospitality interiors and clean, minimalist designs.
Danielle Colding
New York-based interior designer and founder of her eponymous full-service design firm. She was also the winner of HGTV’s Design Star in 2012.
Malene Barnett
New York-based artist and founder of Malene B. Atelier, an art and design practice specializing in fine art, limited edition prints, textiles, and design products.
Sheila Bridges
Interior designer, author, and entrepreneur best known for creating Harlem Toile de Jouy, a wallpaper and textile pattern featuring stereotypes of the African-American experience.
Kesha Franklin
Interior designer and founder of Halden Interiors. Projects range from a penthouse in Tribeca to an estate in San Jose.
Charlotte Bravo Cannon
Baltimore-based artist and designer crafting minimalist trays and coasters (which you can buy on West Elm), wall hangings, textiles, and prints. Founder of the Vintage Vogue.
Corey Damen Jenkins
Interior designer known for his use of bold colors, luxurious materials, stately furnishings, and intricate wallpaper to create elevated spaces.
Saudah Saleem
Interior designer and fashionista working her magic in Baltimore.
Darryl Carter
Washington, DC-based interior designer, author of two design books, and owner of an eponymous home design shop.
Keita Turner
President and creative director of Keita Turner Design, an NYC-based firm serving both residential and commercial clients.
Nicole White
Based in South Florida and originally from Jamaica, White’s interior design work is inspired by the bold colors and textures of the Caribbean.
Dayka Robinson
Interior designer, life coach, and creator of curated travel retreats for women.
Katrina Blair
Blogger and small space maven constantly improving and styling her family’s home in Sacramento. She also has a super cute cottage studio, pictured here.
Hana Getachew
Textile designer and founder of Bolé Road Textiles, which works with artisans in Getachew’s native Ethiopia to weave colorful modern products that are ethically source.
Jess Rey
Industrial and interior designer sharing her eclectic style, DIY, and secondhand shopping tips on her blog Domicile 37.
Ron Woodson
Co-owner of Woodson and Rummerfield’s House of Design and Save Iconic Architecture, an organization that aims to spotlight significant sites in need of preservation.
Minetta Archer
New York City decorator with a love of bold colors and vintage rugs
Ursula Carmona
A self proclaimed “handy wannabe” Ursula is a fabulous DIYer who makes the inexpensive look luxe. Tons of her genius ideas can be found on her blog, Home by Carmona.
Nicole Jackson-Bertrand
Based out of West Palm Beach, Jackson-Bertrand’s style is full of bright colors, pretty pineapples, and seaside vibes.
Tiffany DeLangie
Stay-at-home mom of three, photographer, and talented party planner, DeLangie makes sure all her tips and decor tricks are budget friendly.
Yuni Min
Mother, blogger, and interior designer who embraces real-life messes and down-home, easy meals. Yuni shares her homelife ideas on Love Your Abode.
D. Bryant Archie
A New York-based textile design studio that works with women cooperatives in Guatemala.
Rooshad Shroff
Working with luxe Indian materials and styles like teak wood and jute, Shroff creates modern, bespoke furniture with a traditional twist. His work with Spanish architecture firm Inaki Abalos has also influenced his designs, featuring a minimalist twist with some loud accents.
Medina Grillo
Founder of diy blog Grillo Designs, and winner of the Pinner’s Choice Award in the inaugural Domino Design Blog Awards.
Carli
You’ll find clean, monochromatic home decor, craft tips, and more on the blog Fearfully and Wonderfully made by Carli.
Stephanie Watkins
Globally influenced home and lifestyle tips from a homemaker to a biracial and bilingual family. Home DIYs, decorating guides, and more can be found on Casa Watkins Living.
Joy Moyler
Fashion and detail-obsessed celebrity interior architect, decorator, and founder of Joy Moyler Interiors.
Monica Benavidez
Glamorous, affordable decor and tasty recipes plus tons of black, white, and floral combos from Monica Wants It.
Erika Ward
Atlanta-based interior designer Erika Ward shares her latest projects and design inspo.
Carol of CAD interiors
Turning fixer-uppers into cozy interiors is Carol’s specialty. She shares renovation stories, decorating tips, and design projects on her blog.
Morph Design Company
The brainchild of India-based, Cornell-educated Anjum Jung, Morph Design Company focuses on timeless spaces infused with traditional Indian maximalism.
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