Adorned is a thesis project inspired by the intersection of self-expression, autonomy, and the African diaspora within the context of adornment. This project draws reference from Black histories of tradition, migration, Black design innovation, and attempts at connection to ancestry, and rebellion. It is both present and historical, paying close attention to moments in time that communities within the African diaspora pursued physical autonomy through fashion and embellishment as well as the ways in which ideas can be built upon to create new forms of Black expression. This project takes form as a four-part series of portrait paintings. Each portrait is reflective of the visual cultures of the African diaspora in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. The major focus of this project is customization. Though each accessory will represent the Black adornment history and design movements of each region, participants/viewers are encouraged to customize paintings with accessories from the entire collection of paintings. All accessories are handmade.