Today is July 7, 2020, a day for you to support black-owned businesses. Today, the idea is: if you have to spend money, spend it with a black-owned company. Today day we are showcasing black-owned brands with classic and elevated style.
Here are a few brands that you can shop and support today. (all pictures belong to the designer)
Omi Woods
Founded by Ashley Alexis McFarlane’s, Omi woods is a luxury jewelry line centered around her Jamaican-Ashanti-Maroon heritage. Omi means ‘water’ in the Yoruba language, and the word Jamaica derives from the indigenous Taino word ‘Xaymaca,’ meaning ‘land of wood and water.Â
This jewelry line makes heirlooms that celebrate our connection to Africa and her diaspora. These pieces can be worn every day, and they can be passed down from generation to generation.
This contemporary jewelry focuses on fair trade African gold. The gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that support miners and their communities’ being well paid, miners being paid a fair wage, and contributing to improved health care, education, safety, and living conditions on the continent.Â
Pricing– These pieces are real and handmade. Omi Woods pieces are real gold and sterling silver, 10k gold all the way up to 24k gold. For this reason prices start around $169 and can go up to $1,500.
Brother Vellies
Creative Director and Founder of Brother Vellies, Aurora James, a Toronto-native and New York City-transplant has an impressive resume and started her company in 2013.
 Aurora’s goal was to keep traditional African design practices and techniques alive while also creating and sustaining artisanal jobs. Brother Vellies creates luxury pieces that will remain in your closet for years to come.
The Brother Vellies collections have been produced across the globe in South Africa, Kenya, Mexico Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Italy, Haiti and at home in New York City.
Pricing: this is a luxury brand, prices start at $450 and can go up to $1,300
Cushnie
CUSHNIE is a luxury women’s ready-to-wear and bridal brand designed by Carly Cushnie, which was started in 2008.
Carlie designed her brand after the contemporary, refined woman. This company celebrates the women’s figure and embodies a refined sense of cosmopolitan, minimalism, and femininity. This brand also has a bridal line.
Cushnie recently did a collaboration with Target and it was a huge success, most of the pieces sold out.
Pricing: This is a luxury ready to wear brand so prices start around $700 and can go up to $2,100.
The Kemist
Founded by Sade Akinosho, this brand creates unique separates, casuals pieces, suits, wedding guest wear, you’ll find it all at the Kemist.
If you are the woman who doesn’t like to wear what everyone else is wearing or you don’t want pieces in your closet that everyone has, then this is the company for you.
She hand makes the pieces, and when they sell out they sell out, they rarely restock.
Pricing: Ladies you will love the prices, ranging from $50-$300
FKSP
Folake Kuye Huntoon has been styling and giving classic fashion tips to the everyday woman for years. FKSP’s goal is to provide stylish accessible clothing for the everyday woman.
Folake is a Nigerian woman-owned business. Every single garment is developed from concept to delivery in their office and factory, located in the heart of the LA Fashion District. FKSP strives for the utmost quality in fabric, craftsmanship, and finishing.
“FKSP prides itself on frequent, exclusive collections, helping our customers build a wardrobe of unique and classic pieces you can find nowhere else.”
Pricing: For my Fashionistas pieces start around $50 and go up to $200.
Edas
Founded by head designer Sade Mims, this brand focuses on handmade accessories. Their signature is making each piece one of a kind.
Through the maturity of the brand, EDAS now delivers feminine and staple accessories, accommodating the everyday, eclectic woman.
This company focuses on sustainable pieces and processes.
Pricing: This is a contemporary brand so the quality will be there, $300-$1,000
Fe Noel
Felisha ” Fe” Noel started her career in the fashion industry at 19 in Brooklyn, NY, where she opened a brick and mortar store for fashionistas and vintage lovers.
Felisha is deeply rooted in Grenadian heritage, where her love for bold colors and prints comes from. She credits her success to her mother and grandmother that showed her what hard work and determination could do for you.
If you are looking for one of a kind pieces made to order or fabulous vacation looks, Fe Noel is your one-stop-shop. They have glamorous robes and bathing suits, accompanied by sets.
Felisha also loves to help young women succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavors. She has a foundation called Fe Noel Foundation that helps other women start their own businesses.
Autum Adeigbo
Founded by Autumn Adeigbo, a Nigerian native who watcher her mother sew her clothes since she as 4. Because of her mother, she was voted best dressed in the 4th grade.
Autum studied at Parsons.
Autumn designs clothing for women who love to stand out from the crowd, make educated purchases with compassion, and embody the heart’s sophistication.
Her colorful but chic designs have landed her on the Oprah show, and her collections have been featured in Vogue, EBONY, ESSENCE, Glamour, and Nylon. They have also been seen on MTV, BET, VH1, and The Oprah Winfrey Network.
Pricing: starting from $300 up to $1,400
Polished Concrete
https://www.polishedconcreteshop.com/
Founded by Brittney Mayes, on February 27, 2019, her grandmother’s birthday, who is battling Alzheimer’s. Brittney makes her handmade one of a kind pieces in her apartment, a one-woman show.
Brittany draws her inspiration from her experiences growing up in New Jersey and Virginia.
All of her earrings are hypoallergenic and and have a lifetime guarantee. The materials are eco-friendly.
Brittney went to FIDM Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
Pricing: $25- $69
Shop Au.A
Founded by Asiyami Gold, a content creator and visual storyteller. Her photos and creative aesthetic are beautiful, and her clothing and accessories are no different. All of her pieces are made in Nigeria by the hands of advanced ateliers.
A.Au aims to empower women, to embrace their history, culture, their identity staying close to their roots. A.au wants women to know that they are multidimensional and that they can carve out their own path.
Her pieces are made to order and can take anywhere from 3-5 weeks to get to you.
She also makes beautiful tops.
No outfit is complete without accessories.
Pricing: starting from $50-$300
Hanifa
Hanifa is a contemporary brand that has a brick and mortar store in Baltimore, MD. They feature ready to wear sizes 0-20.
Hanifa says “We design for everyday extraordinary women like you who embody class while setting their own rules.”
As seen in Essence, Vouge, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Forbes, and CNN.
Pricing: $70-$400
with class and grace,
Mya- Karren