Final answer:
The first well-known African-American fashion designer's name is not directly provided, but it is understood that during the Black Pride Movement, African-American designers played a critical role in reshaping beauty standards through fashion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is inquiring about the identity of the first well-known African-American fashion designer. While specific names of early African-American fashion designers are not provided in the reference material, one can surmise that during the Black Pride Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, fashion was among the many creative fields where African-Americans made significant strides in expressing their identity and cultural heritage. Designers of the era likely contributed to the movement by rejecting White standards of beauty, and embracing a definition of beauty that reflected their rich history and cultural identity. Notable personalities like Yodit Eklund later demonstrated the global appeal of fashion influenced by African identity.
It's important to note that individuals such as Henry Ossawa Tanner played groundbreaking roles in the arts as early as the 1920s and 1930s, contributing to the Harlem Renaissance movement, although his focus was on painting rather than fashion.
The Black Designers of Canada Initiative highlighted by Stewart in Essence magazine demonstrates the ongoing recognition and documentation of Black talent in the design industry, signifying the importance of representation and acknowledgement of African-American and Black Canadian contributions to fashion.