We always support businesses owned by women and people of diverse backgrounds at any time, but now it’s more important and essential than ever as recent events have made things abundantly clear. Our country is fractured and we are deeply heartbroken by the racial injustices that have occurred. Sometimes you have to sit in discomfort to really learn, but we also recognize that our discomfort is a fraction of the torment and agony that the black community is facing. It’s our job to not only listen, but to hear. We must educate ourselves and ask questions rather than stand silent in our ignorance. We need to stand in solidarity with the black community. So in this spirit we wanted to share some of our favorite designers to show our support. Not just today, or next week, or when the media moves on…but in perpetuity.
Designer Aurora James – you may know her from Project Runway or her brand Brother Vellies – brought attention to what we can do right now with a 15% pledge on her Instagram. Business of Fashion complied a list of black-owned businesses that we can support right now. (See this list at the bottom of this post.) And there are several ongoing Reddit threads where you can find resources and lists of black-owned businesses that are local to you as well.
Here are some of our personal favorites in fashion, beauty and home that you can shop online. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it’s a start! Add your favorite black-owned business in the comments and we’ll add them to the post.
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Support Black-Owned Businesses
Briogeo Hair Care
The Don’t Despair, Repair hair mask was an Allure reader’s choice for a reason, but we are also fans of Farewell Frizz conditioning oil. It makes split ends disappear and your hair look brand new.
Oui The People
Want to make shaving a pleasure? A Oui The People razor might just change your life. We’re fans of the gold version but all the options are excellent.
The Lip Bar
Their Fast Face kits are revolutionary, curated for various skin tones, and make for a super easy way to get full-on glam with minimal effort – which is something we can all use right now.
Maxhosa Africa
This South African brand focuses on designs inspired by the Xhosa culture and we are particularly obsessed with their handwoven rugs which would be an amazing statement piece for any room.
Brother Vellies
We always like a good pair of huaraches, and the laces make these extra special. Plus they will coordinate with all the caftans and maxi dresses we’ll be wearing this summer.
Decolonizing Fitness
Need to order some more face masks? These are sewn by older black women in North Carolina and come in a variety of colors and prints, and 100% of the profits go to support the women making them.
The Folklore
We love a lot of the pieces at the pan-African shopping concept ecommerce hub, but these lightweight pearl hoops from South African brand Pichulik definitely stand out. Need a bit of escape at the moment? Take some time to browse the virtual racks and discover some amazing new designers – and they have a great podcast too!
lemlem
We are all embracing the caftan life at the moment, so why not invest in a real made in Ethiopia? We love all the colors and prints available from model Liya Kebede’s line, but this deep purple dress is especially gorgeous.
Linoto
They have amazing linen sheets and spa style towels, but these tree-less paper towel alternatives might be one of the best things you’ll pick up, and they are super affordable as well as being great for the environment.
Jade Purple Brown
Need some inspiration right now? Her beautifully illustrated book, Words To Live By featuring fifty quotes from fifty amazing women is uplifting. It might be the exact thing that you want to read right now.
Black-Owned Businesses List
We started a list that was started in the busininessoffashion.com. Please let us know about any businesses we may have missed in the comments (we know we missed tons, but could only highlight a handful here, but PLEASE fill our comments with your faves) or in our Growing Younger Facebook group! We want to use our platform to promote and share more from people of all backgrounds creating their own businesses.
A A K S, A-Cold-Wall, Agnes Baddoo, Allëdjo, Aliétte, Ama Nwoke, Andrea Iyamah, Ashya,Bello|Edu, Bianca Saunders, Blk+Grn, Botter, Brett Johnson, Briogeo, Brother Vellies, Carol’s Daughter, Casely-Hayford, CD Greene, Christopher John Rogers, Cushnie, Dalasini, Darryl Brown, Demestik, Diarrablu, Dur Doux, Duro Olowu, Dyne, Edas, Ezie NY, Faded NYC, FATRA, Fe Noel, Fear of God, Fenty Beauty, Frère, Fubu, Gilded, Glemaud, GloGirl Cosmetics, Goodee, Hanifa, Harwell Godfrey, Helen Couture, Heron Preston, IAMISIGO, Joe Fresh Goods, Johnny Nelson, Kaela Kay, Kahindo, Kahmune, KAYADUA, Ka’ili Skincare, Kenneth Ize, KHIRY, Kintu New York, Kkerelé, LaQuan Smith, Laurus, LavieByCk, lemlem, LIHA Beauty, Lisa Folawiyo, Lisou, the Lotte, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Maison 10, Maki Oh, Marie Hunter Beauty, Masura Studios , Mateo New York, Martine Rose, Matte, Maxhosa Africa, McMullen, Mented Cosmetics, Menyelek, Mikhel Alexander, Mischo Beauty, MMUSOMAXWELL, Mowalola, Nicholas Daley, Nubian Skin, off-white, Olori, Onyii & Co, Orange Culture Nigeria, Ozwald Boateng, Oui the People, Pat McGrath Labs, Phlemuns, Piper Wai, Public School, Pyer Moss, Radswan, Re-Vityl, Royal Jelly Harlem, Rzr Denim, Sammy B, Sergio Hudson, Sheila Rashid, Sincerely Tommy, Sindiso Khumalo, Stella Jean, Sukeina, Tabii Just, Telfar, Thebe Magugu, Third Crown, Thula Sindi, Tokyo James, Tongoro, Tracy Reese, Tsemaye Binitie, Unsun Cosmetics, Uoma Beauty, Wales Bonner, William Okpo, Yeezy, Yoah.
– Jacqueline Zenn
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