8 Black-Owned Fashion Brands We Love
It may seem trivial to talk about shopping given current events, but we’d argue that we vote in large part with our dollars and putting your money where your mouth is an important step in taking action and promoting positive change. Below, we’ve gathered a list of some of our favorite Black-owned fashion brands and new-to-us designers that we’re eager to support moving forward. Just as we shifted our spending to support more female-owned companies in 2018 following the historic Women’s March and Trump’s presidential election, and recently we’ve focused on shopping small and local to support our communities during the coronavirus pandemic, we also plan to support Black-owned businesses and help spread the wealth and the love during this important moment and movement in history.
Photo: @brothervellies
Founded by designer Aurora James, we’ve been big fans of this fashion-forward footwear and accessories company for the past couple of years. All of their luxe shoes, handbags, and leather goods are handmade by artisans from Nairobi to New York. We love their scalloped Stell Mules, woven Summer Huaraches, and signature Palms Boots. Aurora James recently launched the 15 Percent Pledge, calling major retailers like Shopbop, Sephora, Target, and Whole Foods to pledge 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses (Black people account for 15% of the population in the U.S.) You can sign the petition and learn more at 15percentpledge.org.
Photo: @sincerelytommy_
Sincerely, Tommy is a lifestyle concept store located in Brooklyn. The store features a roster of emerging womenswear and lifestyle brands, plus an in-house coffee bar, Sincerely Tommy Coffee.
Photo: @fenoel
This Brooklyn-based womenswear brand created by Felisha “Fe” Noel is inspired by her Grenadian heritage. The brand is designed for women with a passion for travel, a love of vibrant colors, and a penchant for bold prints. We love the Nutmeg One-Shoulder Dress, Rust Sheer Pants, and Cartagena Stripe Robe and matching pants from the current collection.
Photo: @omiwoods
Founded by Ashley Alexis McFarlane and inspired by heirloom pieces passed down from her grandmother, this contemporary jewelry brand creates cultural jewelry made with fine metals and fair-trade African gold. The gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that support the well-being of miners and their communities by paying miners a fair wage and contributing to improved health care, education, safety and living conditions on the continent. We love the brand’s coin necklaces, stacked and signet rings, and cowrie pendant anklets—special pieces that are designed to be worn on the daily or passed down to future generations.
Photo: @pyermoss
This creative and contemporary fashion label designed by Kerby Jean-Raymond features modern collections for men and women. Kerby describes the brand as an “art project” or “a timely social experiment.” We love Pyer Moss’s beautiful pleated gowns, hip cropped hoodie sweatshirts, and recent collaboration with Reebok.
Photo: @cocoandbreezyeyewear
Founded by twins Coco and Breezy, this modern eyewear brand offers eyeglasses and sunglasses in a variety of cool lens shapes and styles. We’re big fans of their round Pram sunglasses and cool aviator sunnies.
Photo: @thirdcrown
This NYC-based jewelry brand offers bold, modern jewelry in gold, rose gold, and silver. We love the brand’s popular Arc Bangle and Marcy Large Cuff.
Photo: A A K S
This cheerful accessories company makes colorful, handcrafted bags in Ghana. We love the brand’s vibrant raffia tote bags and woven basket bags—perfect for a tropical vacation or to brighten your daily trip to the office.