10 Ridiculously Cool Black-Owned Fashion Brands To Shop Now


The importance of diversity in fashion is evident now more than ever, thanks to some major inclusivity milestones achieved in recent years, particularly by Black creatives. Edward Enninful’s appointment as the editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017 marked the first time a Black editor was appointed to any edition of Vogue, while Virgil Abloh taking the reins at Louis Vuitton as the artistic director of menswear in 2018, made history as the first Black designer to do so. All of which to say, visibility really does matter. With that in mind, the best way to advocate for change is to support the creatives who are already making fashion a more diverse and inclusive space.

 

Here, 10 of the coolest Black-owned fashion brands and designers that are shaping the industry as we know it.

 

Telfar

 

Designed by creative Telfar Clemens, this achingly cool label deals in the business of blurring lines between seeming binaries, whether it’s gender or high/low culture with their unisex apparel offerings and accessories. A favorite of singer Kelela, their signature shopping bag has become the ‘It’ bag for the downtown set.

 


TELFAR

boot cut wide leg jeans - Black

$795 $398



TELFAR

graphic print T-shirt - Black

$192 $77



TELFAR

High-waist stretch cotton trousers - Red

$234 $117


 

 

Brother Vellies

 

If you’re craving whimsy and wit in equal measure when it comes to your accessories, look no further than Brother Vellies. Created by Aurora James with the goal to create sustainable jobs for women artisans in Africa, Brother Vellies makes shoes and bags for the modern woman who works and plays hard. From pink ostrich feather-festooned plexiglass mules to the white lace pumps favored by the likes of Beyoncé, Brother Vellies is the best way to walk in the shoes of the woman you’d like to be.

 

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All the pretty things 💌

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BROTHER VELLIES

Stell Bow-embellished Croc-effect Leather Mules - Tan

$495 $248



BROTHER VELLIES

Leopard-print Calf Hair Boots - Leopard print

$750 $375



BROTHER VELLIES

X Ace & Jig Burkina Leather Slides - Womens - Blue Stripe

$278 $139


 

Coco and Breezy

 

Talk about a sister act—Coco and Breezy, an innovative eyeglasses brand, was founded by twin sisters and designers Corianna and Brianna Dotson 10 years ago. In the decade since they started, the Dotson twins designed glasses for the late, great Prince and have been featured by publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. The Dotsons are creatives in more than one arena, as well; when they’re not busy with their glasses business, they moonlight as DJs and visual artists.

 


COCO AND BREEZY

IRIS-102

$290



COCO AND BREEZY

ARTEMIS-101

$280



COCO AND BREEZY

EOS-102

$250


 

Omondi

 

Recho Omondi is a fiercely independent voice in the fashion industry, choosing to play by her own rules. Case in point: the designer only releases one collection a year to a loyal and rapidly growing fan base, as opposed to showing according to the industry’s increasingly harried schedule. Omondi’s designs are dreamy yet bold, ranging from deconstructed ruffled trapeze dresses and silk blouses that trail into romantic overskirts to embellished vintage tees and embroidered sweatshirts that have found fans in Issa Rae and Solange Knowles.

 

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Welcome to OMONDI. Full Video on Youtube.

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Pyer Moss

 

As the 2018 recipient of the CFDA Fashion Fund prize, Pyer Moss’ Kirby Jean-Raymond will be a designer to watch. Jean-Raymond, however, has been doing the work for years, creating thought-provoking collections that not only entice aesthetically, but challenge viewers and consumers both politically and personally.

 


REEBOK BY PYER MOSS

Archive Logo Track Top

$200



REEBOK BY PYER MOSS

“AS USA AS U” Cropped Hooded Sweatshirt

$200



PYER MOSS

Western Pleated Cupro Shirt Dress

$400


 

LaQuan Smith

 

LaQuan Smith’s glamorous, unapologetically sexy looks are instantly recognizable, whether they’re being sported by a coterie of Kardashians or Lady Gaga, all of whom are big fans of the label. Smith created his eponymous label without the aid of design school, relying instead on his intuition and the sewing skills he’s been honing since his teenage years.

 

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Just saying..

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LAQUAN SMITH

Alexandria Dress

$620



LAQUAN SMITH

Quan Camo Bomber Jacket

$685



LAQUAN SMITH

Kate Iridescent Organza Slip

$600


 

Ashya

 

What’s better than one Black woman designer? How about two. Besties Ashley Cimmone and Moya Annece created their Brooklyn-based line of luxury bags with one goal in mind: to make travel easier and to look good while doing it. Ashya has reinterpreted the much-maligned fanny pack into their signature cooler-than-cool “belt bags” that will make you want to carry all your worldly possessions cinched around your waist or slung across your hip.

 


ASHYA

PALMETTO MINI | ONYX

$425



ASHYA

CEDAR | CITRINE

$420



ASHYA

CEDAR VALLEY MULTI | ONYX

$695


 

Sincerely, Tommy

 

Consider Sincerely, Tommy the ultimate curation for your most aspirational life. The Bed-Stuy concept store that also operates e-commerce on its website, selects the most beautiful and unique items for its customers, whether it’s a perfectly knit cropped sweater by an up-and-coming indie fashion label or a rare vintage dress in mint condition.

 

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More new arrivals from Simonette

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SINCERELY TOMMY

PEARL DROP EARRINGS

$95


SINCERELY TOMMY

SNAKESKIN JACKET

$250


SINCERELY TOMMY

SVNR JINGDEZHEN SINGLE EARRING

$143

 

Third Crown

 

Third Crown’s distinctive, geometric designs are the work of husband-and-wife design team Kristina and Kofi Essel. The pair draw inspiration from architecture and bold lines, resulting in truly unique pieces that have captured the approval of Erykah Badu and Solange Knowles.

 


THIRD CROWN

PRIZM LINK CHOKER

$800


THIRD CROWN

PRIZM ECLIPSE RING

$120


THIRD CROWN

HEDRON THREE ROW KNUCKLE RING

$120

 

D.I.D. Nail Paint

 

D.I.D. nail polish was born from the desire to have the perfect manicure without any of the toxic chemicals that can harm both your body and the environment. Nail technician and esthetician Adrienne Blanks became determined to create a product that will deliver not only an exceptional manicure, but would allow users to use it guilt-free. The result? D.I.D. nail paint, a highly-pigmented, non-toxic formula that will give you perfectly polished nails in just two coats.

 


D.I.D NAIL PAINT

Baby Love

$10


D.I.D NAIL PAINT

The Nail Care Essentials

$27.50


D.I.D NAIL PAINT

Billie's Jeans

$10

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