15 Black Women-Owned Fashion Brands to Support Now

From household names to design stars on the rise, these are the Black women-owned fashion labels to have on your radar.

By Nikki Coats

Image courtesy of Fe Noel

There is no racial justice without economic justice and now is the time to vote for that justice with our dollars. From household names to design stars on the rise, we’ve rounded up our favorite fashion brands—helmed by Black female founders—that you should be supporting now and always. For additional ideas on how to fund, invest in, and learn about dismantling systemic racism, see our How to Fund Black Women guide.


ASHYA

Born from a love of travel, Brooklyn-based accessories brand ASHYA—co-founded by longtime fashion friends Moya Annece and Ashley Cimone, who worked for industry leaders like Net-a-Porter, Kate Spade, and Opening Ceremony—reclaims the belt bag in quirky, cool, unisex styles. Manufactured and assembled in New York City, the leather bags are crafted in small batches from responsibly-sourced materials and up-cycled material scraps.

thehelm.co; $495

Brother Vellies

Founder Aurora James launched Brother Vellies, a Brooklyn-based luxury footwear label, in 2013 with a focus on keeping traditional African design practices and techniques alive. Artisans from Kenya, South Africa, and Namibia work on the sustainably-created designs, using materials like vegetable-tanned leather, soling from recycled tires, hand-carved wood, and floral-dyed feathers.

brothervellies.com; $795

Castamira

Designed to accentuate a woman’s most alluring features, founder and model Chantel Davis created Castamira as a reflection of what she found missing in swimwear. With a comfortably enhanced fit, her body-contouring swimwear fuses feminine elegance with a modern edge and touch of old-world romance for timeless, versatile pieces.

castamira.com; $198

Fe Noel

Based in Brooklyn, Fe Noel is a conceptual lifestyle brand for the multifaceted woman who embodies a love for travel and style. Founder Felisha “Fe” Noel, who opened her first brick and mortar boutique at age 19, finds inspiration for her vibrant designs—know for their bold prints—from her Caribbean heritage.

fenoel.com; $278

Coco & Breezy

Coco and Breezy Eyewear was founded in 2009 by twin designers, DJs, and visual artists Coco and Breezy Dotson. Their early designs were an instant hit in the entertainment and fashion worlds, with customers like Rihanna, Prince, and Lady Gaga all sporting a pair.

thehelm.co; $285

Cushnie

Founder Carly Cushnie has redefined minimalism and femininity through clean, sculptural designs that accentuate the best parts of the body. From slip-on dresses and non-traditional necklines to asymmetrical two-piece sets and flared-cut pants, Cushnie’s wide array of sophisticated garments has caught the eye of leading women such as Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, Gal Gadot, Lupita Nyong’o, and Ava Duvernay, to name a few.

cushnie.com; $1,017

Undra Celeste NY

Through her namesake brand, founder Undra Celeste is giving modern women the chance to always feel like their authentic selves. From eye-catching statement pieces and elevated basics crafted in bold colors and prints, to modern silhouettes and fun embellishments, this timeless brand is rewriting the fundamentals of women’s workwear.

undracelesteny.com; $225

Liberté

As a former fashion student and lingerie model, Liberté founder Amber Tolliver was fed up with the difficult search for lingerie that not only fit properly, but made her feel confident. Expertly crafted by seamstresses, with cutting edge natural and high-performance tech fabrics in a wide range of sizes, Liberté is here to meet all your lingerie needs.

thehelm.co; $94

Hope for Flowers

When founder Tracey Reese created Hope for Flowers in 1998, her main goal was to inspire true self-confidence through her colorful designs and unique prints. In doing so, she helped instill diversity and inclusivity amongst the fashion industry for years to come, while also championing social and ecological practices throughout her production.

hopeforflowers.com; $198

Lorraine West

It was while studying illustration at Fashion Institute of Technology and teaching herself how to manipulate various metals into jewelry pieces that Lorraine West founded her eponymous, New York-based brand. Handmade from precious metals including gold and sterling silver, West’s strikingly elegant pieces are inspired by symbology and geometric shapes.

lorrainewestjewelry.com; $65

Rebecca Allen

Rebecca Allen launched her namesake shoe brand to reinvent the nude pump as an inclusive accessory. Designed especially for women of color, these cushioned heels come in a variety of styles and hues that are both timeless and sleek.

thehelm.co; $178

Sincerely, Tommy

Founder Kai Avent-deLeon has established her own piece of history in her hometown of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, a community that has been in her bloodline for years. A lifestyle transformed into a marketplace housing emerging contemporary fashion brands, Sincerely, Tommy is paving the way for designers alike to be seen and heard. Since her 2014 opening, Avvent de-Leon has expanded her business into a thriving e-commerce shop with a soon-to-launch furniture line, boutique hostel, and restaurant.

sincerelytommy.com; $158

TOVE Studio

TOVE Studio is an advanced contemporary womenswear brand that balances modernity and femininity. Its London-based co-founders, Camille Perry and Holly Wright, have pooled their 15 years of industry experience to design beautiful clothes that cater to self-assured and spirited women. Through luxury fabrics and expert craftsmanship, every collection is carefully conceived to endure beyond fashion seasons, promising longevity and fluidity.

tove-studio.com; $1,030

Andrea Iyamah

Founded by Nigerian fashion designer Dumebi Iyamah in 2013, Andrea Iyamah is known for its retro swimwear with bold colors and vibrant prints. The Canada-based brand also specializes in custom couture, ready-to-wear, and bridal.

andreaiyamah.com; $200

Vavvoune

Founder Valerie Blaise has transformed her self-taught cultural designs into beautifully crafted leather accessories made in the heart of New York City. Uniquely designed with an aesthetic drawn from her moods and moments of nostalgia, each bag is mindfully produced by craftswomen in New York.

vavvoune.com; $495

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