Our favourite black-owned fashion brands
The fashion industry has been insular for too long. From boardrooms to shows to publications, fashion has suffered from a lack of diversity and cries for inclusivity have been magnified in the last few years, but there is seismic change to be done.
In this country we have outstanding black designers forging new ground sartorially, conceptually and aesthetically – from Samuel Ross of A-COLD-WALL* to Grace Wales Bonner and Charlie Casely-Hayford – but often designers of colour feel overlooked. We want to champion black-owned designers now and always, and here’s our round-up of our current favourite brands. 5% of white-owned businesses believe that they will not survive the Covid-19 pandemic, but 21% of black-owned businesses say the same. We don’t want that to be on our watch.
Elia Vintage
Starting as an Instagram account, L.A.-based Amber Glaspie’s vintage site is a sartorial feast for clean, minimal style. “I love sleek silhouettes, fabrics with amazing quality,” she says, “and looks that have a feminine feel to them – even if they’re actually menswear.” From slouchy cognac blazers and matching high-waisted, tapered trousers to silk slip dresses and liquid wrap skirts, Amber’s eye for style shines through her edit. And they sell out quick. From the ’70s jeans to ‘90s dresses, we’re obsessed – and fortunately (cue sigh of relief), she delivers to the UK.
Saffiyyah
Dreamy brand Saffiyyah gives us literally everything we want in our wardrobes right now. From terry towelling co-ord sets made for lounging and summer days, to impactful dresses that’ll boost your mood in an instant, each design is made to order in Italy. Founded by Saffiyyah Paul, she’s committed to sustainable production and combines a personal touch with a flawless design aesthetic that’s got us wondering just how many pieces we can feasibly fit into our wardrobes. Stunning.
WE ARE WE WEAR
If we had to pick our least favourite task in the world, it would quite possibly be swimwear shopping. Actually, we jest. But the onerous task of finding a bikini that fits is made a million times easier with WE ARE WE WEAR. With a wide breadth of sizes, reversible styles and clever shapes, a flick through the site is enough to make you want to reach for that towel and start sunbathing pronto. Founded by Natalie Paul and Chelsea Williams, you’ll wonder how you ever went on holiday – or the park – without them.
Tihara Smith
Fashion has been obsessed with the fun, statement, often micro bag of late (Google Jacquemus’ Le Petit Chiquito if you haven’t bought one already) and Tihara Smith will satisfy all of those cravings. From hand embroidered raffia pouches to electric, fluffy handle bags, each piece, handmade in London, will cue those compliments – and it’ll only be a matter of moments before all of Instagram clocks on. Tihara takes inspiration from her Caribbean heritage and her designs bring personality, meaning and infectiously uplifting colour and texture to the fore.
We Are KIN
We’re big fans of East London for a lot of things: Columbia Road Flower Market, Victoria Park, salt beef bagels from Brick Lane Beigel Bake… but we’re adding another reason to the list. We Are KIN, founded by Ngoni Chikwenengere, makes beautiful pieces from end-of-line and sustainable fabrics out of their factory in Bow. Covid-19 has halted new production for now but there are still pieces to snap up. Think unfussy, elevated staples – from wide-leg linen trousers to fluid maxis with a statement, strappy back, these are the kind of pieces you can imagine floating in on a Tuscan veranda. But, thankfully for us, they’d work equally well with a solo negroni in the back garden. We’re in love.