B Michael is hitting the classroom.
The designer has become an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology and is teaching a 15-week spring semester course, “Fashion and Art Design,” with 25 “eager and enthusiastic design students,” he said. The semester began Jan. 27.
Known for his couture collections and dressing icons such as Cicely Tyson and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Michael previously served as a guest lecturer, critic and commencement speaker at the school. He attended FIT as a student, but left to pursue a design opportunity that was offered to him.
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“FIT gave me the foundation and craftsmanship to turn my gift of design into reality. I’ve been blessed to design for icons like Cicely Tyson, my muse, Cate Blanchett, Colleen Atwood, Ruth Carter, Valerie Simpson, Beyoncé, Brandy, Phylicia Rashad, Whitney Houston, ballet costumes for the Joffrey Ballet, Dr. Joyce F. Brown, socialites and many more,” said Michael.
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Michael is known for his work in millinery and custom couture, and continues to design his full couture collections, day and eveningwear.
He has also added interior design to his artistic résumé and was recently commissioned to handle the textile interiors for couture clients in New York City.
Michael plans to write a second book, this one a memoir. His first book was “Muse: Cicely Tyson and Me, a Relationship Forged in Fashion,” which was published in 2024.
On Jan. 13, 2026, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures revealed several high-level acquisitions, including a significant gift from Michael and his husband Mark-Anthony Edwards, chairman and chief executive officer at B Michael Global. The gift features the B Michael couture gown that Tyson wore to the 91st Academy Awards in 2018. It was also the gown she wore the same season when she received the Honorary Oscar (Governors Award.) It will go on display in February-March 2027. The gift also includes the original fashion illustration created by Michael for the garment.
Last year, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture honored Michael and Edwards for their gift of 17 couture pieces that were worn by Tyson. Michael and Edwards also donated five B Michael looks made for Tyson to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in 2025.