Let's be honest: deciding what to put on your shopping list requires more deliberation than we all care to admit. We all have been there, spending gratuitous amounts of time searching for the best fall staples or what new trends are worth our time. It's an arduous process. But I find that, no matter what else is on my wishlist for the season or how much time I've spent scouring the internet, I always end up buying things from smaller brands, especially Black-owned brands. You could call it bias (considering I am a Black woman), but it all comes down to wanting to find unique pieces and support brands doing something special. There's something magical about sparking up a conversation with a stranger because they're carrying a bag from a Black-owned brand or being able to watch a Black creative's work finally gain the recognition it deserves across the industry. These feelings, for me, are worth any price tag and keep me committed to shopping (and donning) Black designer's work. For me, it's not a once-a-year thing (though it is Black Business month); it's a 365-days-a-year type of thing. But I get that not everyone is there yet, and sometimes you just need to invest in a few great pieces to get you kick-started. So, in that vein, I've rounded up 50 fabulous fashion finds from Black-owned and founded brands at every price point. Warning: this may make your shopping wishlist way longer.
Searching for an ethical jewelry brand? Enter Soko. This female-founded brand champions using sustainable materials alongside uplifting artisans in Kenya to create contemporary jewelry that does good (and looks good too).
What better way to curry favor for the community than carrying a bag from a Black-owned brand? While there's an endless array of luxury labels in the spotlight, my personal favorite is Brandon Blackwood, and I can guarantee it will become yours too.
For fans of second-skin tops, the London-based Black-owned brand Kai Collective's pieces are a must-shop.
Founded in 2021 by Elisa Johnson, this contemporary eyewear brand specializes in classic sunglasses with modern touches, all under $150.
The first time I spotted Farai London's signature colorful cutout dresses, I audibly gasped. This London-based brand makes some of the best evening wear, hands down.
One of my all-time favorite small Black-owned jewelry brands happens to be Yam NYC. Their pieces are unique, well made, and affordable too.
For devout minimalists, buying a piece from the Black-owned brand, Re Ona, is basically a rite of passage.
Black designers exist all across the diaspora—case in point: the Amsterdam-based trio behind Daily Paper. This menswear and womenswear streetwear label has been pivotal in expanding how the world views Black creatives globally.
Sami Miro is a household name in the fashion industry because of her extensive styling background—and, more recently, her sustainably-made apparel line.
So many Black designers have become cultural phenomenons, such as Heron Preston. This designer has been a prevalent force in fashion and worked with everyone from Kanye West to Virgil Abloh before founding his namesake label in 2017.
Another Black-owned jewelry brand you should have on your radar? Oma the Label. Founded by the New York-based fashion stylist Neumi Anekhe in 2018, the brand specializes in elevated jewelry staples you own for years to come.
Just because you're deciding to buy from a Black-owned brand doesn't mean you can still get that "viral" moment. Enter: Tia Adeola. This New York-based designer uses her extensive knowledge of art history to create one-of-a-kind ready-to-wear pieces that should be posted on the gram.
Mark my words; the next it-bag is bound to come from Homage Year. Founded by Antoine Manning in 2014, this Atlanta-based Jamaican American designer's handbags have slowly gained notoriety for their unique architectural shape and continued dedication to paying homage to the Black experience.
Searching for unique sunglasses? Consider your hunt over, thanks to Coco and Breezy. This eyewear brand was founded by twin design duo Corianna and Brianna Dotson in 2009 and has become the place to find fun sunnies.
For those of us, that dream of visiting far-off places in fabulous frocks, shopping Andrea Iyamah's resort wear is a must.
Founded by Theresa Ebagua in 2012, Chelsea Paris has become a fan favorite among the fashion set for its fun and functional footwear.
We still have a few more weekends to sneak off to take a dip potentially, so why not buy a swimsuit from the Black-owned brand, Melissa Simone? With bold designs, it's no wonder that it's quickly garnered a celeb fan base (including Bella Hadid) and is the ideal place to buy a suit before the end of summer.
If you're already looking to invest in fall-ready pieces, then you'll want to consider buying something from Victor Glemaud. This black-owned brand has become beloved in the industry for its trend-forward ready-to-wear pieces made in luxurious knits.
There are so many Black designers you should know about—like, Maximilian Davis. The designer not only has his gorgeous namesake label, but with his recent appointment as the creative director of Salvatore Ferragamo, it's safe to say he continues to be someone to know about.
So many of the noteworthy Black jewelry designers are self-taught—like, Chari Cuthbert of Bychari. While the brand's roots started humbly, it's become a brand beloved by a-listers (including Michelle Obama) and is a reminder of the ingenuity of our community.
Real talk, there's not a day that goes by where there's an announcement of a new celebrity-founded line—that's the time we're living in. But, Ciara's (yes, that one) new collection isn't another passé line. With chic staples, this is an ideal place to buy a few pieces to level up your fall wardrobe.
We create a different way, and that's so clear when looking at the work of Nigerian-American designer Kingsley Gbadegesin. After cutting his teeth at Versace, Celine, and Loewe, he launched his label in 2020 to cater to the Black and LGBTQ+ community through unisex staples.
There are so many things you may know about the brand Good Amerian—i.e., that it's a denim brand, size-inclusive, and features Khloé Kardashian in campaigns. But you might not know that it's actually Black-owned and co-founded by Emma Grede.
Sneakers are an integral part of Black culture, but often most brands aren't owned by our community—that's not the case with Løci. This sneaker brand is not only Black-founded and owned, but it champions using sustainable materials for each pair of sneakers, making it a must-shop brand.
There's an array of African-American fashion designers who are changing the way we define what "American" fashion is—Sergio Hudson happens to be one of them. Through vibrant and impeccably tailored pieces, the South Carolina-born designer has not only been able to catch the attention of icons like Beyoncé, but he's painted a more bright future for the industry at large.
If you can tell, I'm a sucker for great jewelry—especially when it's coming from a self-funded Black-owned sustainable brand. We Dream in Colour was founded in 2002, and has built a following for unique pieces that breathe life into the phrase, "wearable art".
For those who love traveling as much as they love fashion, there's no better brand to shop for than Fe Noel. Founded by the Brooklyn-based designer in 2011, the brand's contemporary Caribbean-inspired resort wear is ideal for wearing on that next trip.
While we're on the topic of travel, another brand you should consider packing (or at least purchasing) is Diarrablu. Founded in 2013, this namesake label channels the designer's Senegal heritage while empowering artisans to create each piece ethically.
The easiest way to feel like you're traveling (even if you're not) is by supporting Black designers who pay homage to the diaspora—like Brother Vellies. The luxury accessories label taps a network of artisans across Africa to create pieces that can transport you to a new realm (sans plane ticket).
It's no secret that the fine jewelry space has a long-standing history of being homogenous—but the brand, Mateo, is changing that. Founded by Matthew Harris in 2009, the self-taught designer has not only made history continuously but has redefined how we view fine jewelry itself.
What happens when a stylist makes a foray into luxury apparel? You get Deity New York. Founded by Renee Bishop in 2020, this brand has quickly become a brand to watch because of its Manhattan-inspired frocks.
If you haven't boughten a LaQuan Smith piece yet, consider this your public service announcement to get on it. This New York-based designer has taken the industry by storm for his sultry designs, and he's only going to get hotter from here on out.
Sometimes quitting your job to pursue your passion is the move—or at least it was for Keya Martin. The footwear designer founded her luxury label, Keeyahri, in 2018 and quickly caught the attention of the fashion set for her arcitectual-inspired pieces. With each pair of shoes, you can see the passion, which makes them all the more tempting to purchase.
Capsule wardrobe fanatics meet your new favorite brand: Tove. Founded by Camille Perry and Holly Wright in 2019, this London-based label specializes in timeless frocks that you'll want to wear all the time.
Love more menswear-inspired pieces? Then you'll want to invest in at least one piece from Wales Bonner. The designer founded the namesake label in 2014 and has been dubbed one of fashion's best newcomers for the brand's unique take on menswear tailoring.
So many incredible unisex brands to know right now—No Sesso just so happens to be one of them. Co-founded by Autumn Randolph and Arin Hayes in 2014, the brand has become known for its ability to use deconstruction on everything from denim to knitwear to challenge how we relate to our bodies and the binary at large.
Every cool girl in Manhattan either owns (or knows about) one specific accessories brand: Edas. Founded by Sade Mims in 2013, the brand specializes in eclectic accessories for everyday wear.
Some brands can speak to you on a soul level—for me, that's what House of Aama does. Founded by mother and daughter design duo, Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka in 2013, this brand pulls inspiration from Black history to inform each collection they create.
Calling all the bag lovers out there, Petit Kouraj was made for you. Founded by Nasrin Jean-Baptiste in 2018, the brand uses traditional Haitian weaving practices to create handmade totes that are a must-have for collectors.
Maximilamists, please meet your new favorite brand: Autumn Adeigbo. Once you know about this Black-owned brand, it's easy to spot them—because it's known for its vibrantly printed pieces. Anyone that loves to stand out from the crowd will be sure to do so in anything made by Autumn Adeigbo.
As a shoe fanatic, I'm always falling in love with new brands—but possibly one of my best discoveries was stumbling upon Kendall Miles. The namesake luxury label was founded by Miles back in 2015 and creates footwear that will make your heart skip a beat (I know mine did).
If you take nothing else from this article, please do not take the following statement lightly: you must keep your eyes on Hanifa. Founded by Anifa Mvuemba in 2012, the brand took some time to gain the industry's full attention, but it's become one of the most buzzed-about brands and has even secured the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund grant. It's safe to say this brand will only continue to dominate the spotlight, so shopping it now is the move.
Luxury has not always been synonymous with Africa, but Wilglory Tanjong aims to change that. The Cameroonian designer founded her luxury accessories label, Anima Iris, in 2020, hoping to show how various countries, cities, and cultures across the continent will change how we view fashion in the next few years. Each handbag is handcrafted in Dakar, Senegal and draws inspiration from across the diaspora.
You don't have to be Cinderella to have your moment; you just need to invest in a pair of Nalebe shoes. Founded by Amina Means, this luxury label is produced in Milan and draws inspiration from across the globe to create fun footwear. But what truly makes this brand worth investing in is that each pair is test-driven to ensure ultimate comfort—so you can have your sparkly princess moment without having them fall off at midnight.
Over the past few years, an array of Black-owned brands have taken the fashion industry by storm; but none have done it quite like Christopher John Rogers. This Baton Rouge-born designer has managed to secure an a-list fan base and the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund all in a matter of 6 years. If that's not enough to impress you, then I implore you to spend some time with his colorful frocks because I can ensure you, it will stir up all your feelings (in a good way).
Buying handbags can be a finicky process—deciding what you want to invest in requires some serious introspection. But if you're anything like me, you may want to support a rising brand, and Ciriaco is the perfect candidate for just that. Founded by Ashley Ciriaco in 2021, the small label creates sculptural '90s and '00s-inspired handbags that stand out in the sea of options.
The best thing about supporting smaller brands is that you can find more eclectic pieces—like this satin shirt dress from Sammy B. This Black-owned brand was founded by Samantha Black, the ready-to-wear collection is always channeling the designer's Jamaican roots. The result is pieces that truly do feel one-of-a-kind.
Last but certainly not least, one brand on my own wishlist (that should be on yours, too) is Sunni Sunni. Founded by the self-taught designer Taylor “Sunni” Dixon in 2020, this label has quickly become an it-brand for its unique unisex footwear. Its collection, much like all of the other designer's work in this story, is a reminder that supporting Black-owned brands is a year-round thing—it requires you almost "walk" out of your way to discover new brands. But once you do, you're able to find something that makes that search all the more worthwhile.
Next Up, The Investment Edit: The 5 Savviest Buys You Can Make for Fall
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