The 10 Black Owned Clothing Brands that I'm Currently Obsessed With
Taylor Jay designs and manufactures elevated basics in Oakland, CA.
Things have changed in the fashion industry since 2013. That’s when your very own personal stylist for women wrote a blog post about my then favorite black designer. I researched for hours in search of other options that spoke to me. Sadly, there were very few black voices that were being amplified. There’s still a long way to go, but for now, I’ve got some real favorites.
After finding myself lost in the rabbit hole of the interwebs, I found my favorite resource for Black owned brands and spent the rest of the day totally immersed. So, how about I save you some time and share?
One of my favorite aspects of this list is the purpose behind nearly every brand. Helping clients shop their values is a passion of mine and this list is filled with values based options. From shopping BIPOC makers to brands that have an unwavering commitment to the environment or those that give back to communities in the US or Africa, this is one inspirational list. A few of the brands have manufacturing in the US. Others, are dedicated to inclusive sizing and color palettes. Many are embracing multiple paths to make the world better. Shopping them is a great way to support this approach.
10 Super Hip Black Owned Ethical Clothing Brands
ONE: Folklore Marketplace
The obvious place to start. The Folklore Group empowers African Designer Brands. You’ll have so much fun on this website. Ready for shopping? Dive into the Marketplace, a curated collection of clothing, shoes and accessories from African designers with sustainability in mind.
Salt + Sunscreen
TWO: Studio 189
I can see Studio 189 becoming a client favorite, for sure. Winner of the CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability, the brand partners with the likes of the United Nations Ethical Fashion Initiative. While you are on the site, you’ll enjoy clothing for men, women and kids as well as unisex options. The brand specializes in Hand Batiking. “No two pieces of textile will ever be exactly the same, each piece is a work of art, each piece is a painting. It takes 1-2 days to hand-batik fabric for an item such as a dress or a pair of pants. We employ anywhere from 1 - 20 artisans depending on the volume of textile production.” Brand collabs have ranged from Opening Ceremony to Fendi.
THREE: Diarrablu
One of the very few pieces I purchased during the first year of lockdown was a dress from Diarrablu. The brand goes up to a size XXXL and is the vision of a Senegalese American woman. You’ll enjoy bold prints on effortless pieces.
FOUR: LemLem
I dare you to go to this site and leave without buying something for your next vacation. Lem Lem is “committed to building a strong, fair and sustainable fashion industry in Africa.” If that doesn’t feel like enough, 5% of all sales go to the Lem Lem Foundation, “creating a pathway out of poverty for women artisans in Africa through programs that promote better access to healthcare, job opportunities, and responsible production.” The brand also has a “Mommy and Me” section and bridal (aka white options) for your beach wedding.
FIVE: Riot Swim
Finding show stopping swimsuits with inclusive sizing and color palettes is a journey, for sure. That’s where Riot Swim comes in. Sizes top out at XL and you can shop according to how much coverage you’d like for swimwear or specifically shop for D/DD and full bust options. Be aware that full coverage refers to the front of the swimsuit as virtually all styles have either a thong or cheeky bottom, which may or may not speak to you. But, it’s worth a visit to the site to see the athleisure pieces, work out clothing and the innovative swimwear.
SIX: Anya Lust
It’s about time that we found some luxury lingerie online that is obsession-worthy. “An online store that offers a true experience, where you can search for treasures, select your favorites and anticipate their arrival - all while listening to sultry music, watching beautiful films, and reading enticing stories.” No matter your style, you’ll find this site innovative, inspiring and addictive. It’s also inclusive with sizes up to 4X. Anya Lust also goes beyond lingerie with robes, swimwear and more.
SEVEN: Honor the Gift
On the hunt for casual pieces with a story? Honor the Gift offers, “proper representation of Inner City community. Giving back and making Inner City heard and proud.” Russel Westbrook of the Los Angeles Lakers is the Founder and Creative Director of the brand which is made in LA and includes options for men, women and kids. Fun Fact about me: I love low riders (and hail from Northern California) so I couldn’t pass up the chance to include this tee.
EIGHT: Taylor Jay
I have no idea how to pick a favorite from this list, but I will tell you that Taylor Jay is near the top. Slow Fashion created by a powerhouse black mom with pieces designed and manufactured in Oakland, Taylor Jay is all the things. Yes to sustainable. Yes to forward thinking. Yes to inclusivity. “We need reliable clothing that will perform extraordinarily under any circumstance. Clothing that will stand the test of time and will seamlessly integrate into our lifestyle.” Yes, Taylor Jay, we sure do.
NINE: Fe Noel
This Brooklyn-based brand is filled with bold colors, silhouettes and creative pieces. “We understand that all people do not fit within the size boxes that have been established within the fashion industry. In order to cater to those that do not fit within the size ranges provided, we offer you the option of Made To Measure.” Yup. A virtual or in person made to measure option is yet another way to shop. You can feel great about your purchases because a percentage of sales goes to the Fe Noel Foundation focused on young girls who are “passionate about entrepreneurship.” Yes, please.
TEN: Brandon Blackwood
Have an hour to kill? Dive into the press page for Brandon Blackwood. The designer is famous for so many things including his End Systemic Racism Bag, his connection to Kim Kardashian and the fact that he studied neuroscience. If you are here for more than the press page, have fun perusing four full pages of handbags from one designer. That’s variety you don’t get to see very often.
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