A new season means new essentials and favorites to add to your wardrobe. If you’re looking to support small, sustainable businesses, this list of black-owned brands is a great place to begin. Be sure to follow each of their Instagram pages for further inspiration this season and beyond.
Why Shop Sustainably?
Racist and exploitative business practices primarily affecting women of color are prevalent in the fast fashion industry. Whether you are shopping sustainably or not, support for exploited communities does not stop with the brands you shop.
If you’re looking for other ways to support the black community, check out this article by New York Mag highlighting 154 Ways to Donate in Support of Black Lives and Communities of Color.
Black-Owned Fashion Brands to Shop Now
Aliya Wanek
Founded in 2016, Aliya Wanek is a womenswear brand that creates comfortable, effortless pieces perfect for running around town, but breathable enough for relaxing at home. The rich tones that make up these eye-catching pieces are dyed by local contractors in the Bay Area, and the brand’s founder, Aliya, is always making an effort to reduce environmental impact and maximize sustainability in the production of garments by providing fair wages, locally sourcing materials, and ozone washing denim.
Elexiay
The vibrant pieces of Elexiay are handmade by Nigerian craftswomen with the purpose of highlighting the cultural art of crocheting and empowering the female artisans who make them. All yarn used in Elexiay‘s garments is also locally sourced and made of recyclable material. You can choose from one of their designs, or opt for a custom look and create a personalized statement piece.
Madia & Matilda
Madia & Matilda creates sustainable clothing and accessories that can fit a variety of chic, modern wardrobes. Using vintage and one-off precious garments and textiles, Madia & Matilda gives pieces new life by upcycling them into new, exclusive designs. Each piece is handmade from sustainable and eco-friendly fibers, preventing the distribution of harmful chemicals into the environment, and assuring every piece of fabric is revitalized.
GALERIE.LA
GALERIE.LA takes over the challenge of searching for sustainable brands for you. With GALERIE.LA you can shop by the values you want to uphold most, including being made by artisans, eco-friendly production, ethical practices, local production, recycled materials, and vegan production. Best of all, your unique style is never sacrificed with a diverse selection of clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products created by brands across the world.
Brother Vellies
Brooklyn based Brother Vellies combines artisanship with sustainability to bring you timeless luxury accessories. Their focus on fair labor practices and minimizing impact in the production of their pieces means you are helping support artisanship and craftsmanship when you shop Brother Vellies collection of footwear, handbags, and small leather goods.
lemlem
lemlem, owned by supermodel Liya Kebede, is committed to elevating artisanship and production across the continent of Africa. The core of lemlem’s garments are primarily made of natural cotton handwoven in Ethiopia, but their special Lena collection is made from recycled plastic bottles. Offering products for women, men, and children, lemlem brings the tradition and art of handweaving to the forefront of fashion in comfortable garments that remind you of summer.
Two Days Off
If you are looking for comfortable, simple, yet beautiful pieces to add to your wardrobe, look no further than Two Days Off. To lower the impact of their production process, Two Days Off focuses on the sourcing of materials for their garments, the biodegradability of materials, the production process, and the longevity of their products. The warm, earth tone pieces of Two Days Off also have an elegant air that make them feel friendly for a range of occasions.
Sweats by Sam
For those who want to stay chic while staying cozy, Sweats by Sam is an independently owned brand selling hand-dyed sweat sets in a variety of charming pastel tones. These pieces are made to order, preventing any overproduction and giving them all a unique touch.
FATRA
FATRA (also the Haitain Kreyole word for trash), is a brand who makes creative use of materials that would otherwise end up in landfills. Each bag is handmade from recycled plastic bottles and a collection of other recycled materials and textiles, making it innovative from style to medium. Each bag from FATRA is also a work of art sure to be admired, and can be the ultimate statement piece for any outfit.
Jane Dottie
Started in 2019, Jane Dottie sells curated vintage clothing and accessories as well as accessories created from vintage fabrics and materials, making every piece you order unique and environmentally friendly. You’ll find streetwear and clothing from a breadth of decades, in addition to artwork, candles, vinyl, and more on the Jane Dottie website.
Have other black-owned brands you love? Share them below!
