Cheyney McKnight isn’t just designing clothes — she’s telling untold stories. Her dresses honor the strength and creativity of Black women from centuries past. By mixing ancestral design skills with modern fabrics, she is reclaiming history one stitch at a time.
Bringing Ancestral Fashion Into Today’s World
Cheyney McKnight is a designer, artist, and historian based in New York. She uses 18th and 19th-century African American sewing techniques in her work. These skills were once used by both free and enslaved Black women.
McKnight founded Not Your Momma’s History in 2014. Through this platform, she educates people about slavery and Black history in America. She works with museums, schools, and historical sites to share these powerful stories.
Clothing With a Purpose and a Message
What makes McKnight’s work unique is her mission. She doesn’t just recreate old dresses — she modernizes them. She adds denim, bold prints, and West African fabrics to classic designs. The result is clothing that speaks of both past struggles and present pride.
“I wanted there to be meaning in the clothing,” she says. Her goal is to create pieces that celebrate Black heritage while making a bold statement in the present.
Inspired By the Strong Women Who Came Before
McKnight finds her inspiration in the clothing worn by Black women after slavery. These women used fashion as a form of quiet resistance. Bold shoulders, full skirts, and strong bodices were their armor.
She designs outfits that reflect this history, mixing old silhouettes with new fabrics. Many of her designs are inspired by unnamed sharecroppers, middle-class families, and icons like Ida B. Wells.
A Gift to the Descendants of the Enslaved
Some of McKnight’s most meaningful work is for descendants of enslaved people. When she visits historical sites, she makes garments as gifts for these families. Each piece is a tribute to their ancestors’ courage and creativity.
Other designs are made-to-order for private clients and fellow historians. Every dress and bodice carries a story within its seams.
Researching The Past to Create For The Future
Before designing, McKnight spends hours studying old garments in museums. She also researches photographs and artwork from the 1800s. This careful research ensures her designs are rooted in real history.
She uses both modern and historically accurate fabrics. Some materials are sourced from specialty companies that find textiles from around the world.
Confronting the Dark Parts of Fashion History
Part of McKnight’s work involves studying minstrel shows and blackface memorabilia. These offensive performances often exaggerated the style of Black people for entertainment. She carefully separates harmful stereotypes from authentic traditions.
“It’s important to educate people about the true origins of American culture,” she explains. Her work sheds light on how Black creativity shaped fashion, even in the darkest times.
Why Her Work Matters Now More Than Ever
Today’s fashion industry often overlooks the legacy of Black designers and artisans. McKnight’s designs remind people of the deep roots Black women have in American fashion history. They also spark conversations about resilience, pride, and identity.
Clothing can be a form of protest, power, and connection. McKnight hopes her work encourages Black communities to protect and celebrate their cultural spaces.
“I hope my clothing sparks a desire to better gatekeep the spaces where we mold our culture,” she says.
