Black-Owned British Fashion and Beauty Brands to Support Now and Forever
We always advocate spending your money wisely, which is why it's important to take a moment to consider who your purchase will benefit before you hit that "confirm order" button on any checkout. Knowing where your valued pounds are going will not only help you to shop more mindfully, but also can create an incredible ripple effect for the better.
Knowing that it's vital that we celebrate and support the Black community in the UK, we've searched the country for both the up-and-coming and established designers and names across fashion and beauty that are well worth adding to your wardrobe and beauty stash. Whilst we're not here to give you a history lesson (although, you can donate and support The Black Curriculum, which addresses the lack of Black British history in the UK curriculum), we can point you towards the best Black-owned British fashion and beauty brands, of which there are an impressive number.
Black History Month is an excellent time to champion the brilliant Black-owned brands in our country, but it shouldn't be the only time we pay attention to our homegrown talent. So, if you're looking to get ahead of the crowd and make an informed decision as to where your money really goes, keep scrolling to see our list of the brands to buy from now and bookmark for future shopping moments.
FASHION BRANDS:
1. WALES BONNER
Though she started with menswear, Grace Wales Bonner's androgynous creations have morphed into successful womenswear collections. You'll find cosy knitwear alongside sleek tailoring that references the Black British experience in the '60s and '70s.
2. KAI COLLECTIVE
Kai Collective's euphoric prints and form-fitting silhouettes are part of what makes the brand so instantly recognisable. The London-based label was founded by fashion and travel blogger Fisayo Longe, and now boasts over 125,000 followers on Instagram, upping its offering from the popular marbled mesh tops to knit dresses, pyjamas, robes and even swimwear.
3. TOVE
Fashion insiders love Tove (including Who What Wear UK columnist Monikh Dale), and it's clear to see why. The brand offers elevated, feminine pieces to suit all occasions with the intent to encapsulate strength and beauty.
4. LISA FOLAWIYO
Lisa Folawiyo has a talent for taking traditional West-African fabrics and tailoring them for her modern collections. The finishing touches are done by hand and demonstrate true artisan craftsmanship and expertise.
5. LISOU
Love bold prints? Lisou is the brand for you. Specialising in silk pieces with a twist, Lisou's collections take classic silhouettes and add vibrant hues and patterns, with all prints designed in-house.
6. ROOP
We spotted Roop's gorgeous bags a few years ago, and since then the brand has gone from strength to strength. The recognisable styles are inspired by traditional Japanese furoshiki. Also, they're made from remnant, deadstock and vintage fabrics to be as sustainable as possible.
7. JAKKE
Fashion-forward ethical brand Jakke is definitely one to bookmark for standout pieces. With a focus on slow fashion that aims to be less harmful to the planet, the brand uses recycled and vegan fabrics for its bold designs and double-tap-worthy pieces.
8. GROVE AND VAE
Grove and Vae's goal is simple—affordable, quality jewellery that is as much a part of your everyday outfits as the clothes themselves. You'll love the 14K gold vermeil earrings, rings and necklaces designed with longevity in mind, and the brand's 12-day advent calendar is well worth keeping an eye on in the run up to Christmas.
9. BIANCA SAUNDERS
Bianca Saunders takes inspiration from her British and Jamaican background to create her menswear collections. Classic silhouettes are refreshed with modern twists such as this asymmetric neckline. This might be menswear, but we can totally see ourselves wearing this oversized.
10. MARTINE ROSE
Another pioneer in menswear design, Martine Rose first garnered attention after her refreshing debut at London Collections Men in 2012, but it's her logo T-shirts and exaggerated, oversized fits that have become cult favourites in 2024. Expect nods to subculture, androgynous shirting and streetwear-inspired separates.
11. LOUDBRANDSTUDIOS
Created by Jedidiah Duyile, this label produces bodycon dresses with slashed fronts and crop tops with matching trousers. The main inspiration stems from an appreciation of African cultural explorations and shapes of the early 2000s.
12. CASELY-HAYFORD
Apparently, a flair for tailoring runs in families, as proven by Charlie Casely-Hayford, who set up the brand with his late father, Joe Casely-Hayford. As well as bespoke tailoring services, you can find wardrobe staples like this super-soft merino knit that works for both men and women.
13. ACE & PRINCE
You'll be lucky to get your hands on an Ace & Prince item, as they sell out so quickly. Founded by former stylist Chloe Forde and former model Heidi Murray, the brand was born out of a shared love for art, style, design and homeware.
14. NUBIAN SKIN
From bras to knickers and shapewear, Nubian Skin is the brand that creates skin-tone lingerie and hosiery for people of colour. Stock up on staples or opt for more intricate lace designs.
15. SUNDAY ARCHIVES
If you don't fall in love with every single one of Sunday Archives' pieces, we'll be surprised. Seamlessly combining romantic silhouettes, luxe fabrics and understated glamour, Sunday Archives specialises in the kind of unapologetically feminine and timeless designs that you'll want to wear for years to come.
16. ROXANNE RAJCOOMAR-HADDEN
Roxanne Rajcoomar-Hadden has an innate understanding of what makes each piece of jewellery special. She creates gorgeously simple, one-of-a-kind pieces by appointment.
17. FARAI LONDON
Farai London's bold use of colours and cut-out styles is sure to catch your eye. From dresses to swimwear and corsets, there are plenty of vibrant styles on offer. Oh, and Kylie Jenner is a major fan of this brand.
18. MAISON BENT
Maison Bent creates sustainable, luxury womenswear that effortlessly combines vintage Caribbean aesthetics with modern, pared-back style.
19. LJ SIGNATURE
Cousins Jackie and Lisa combined forces to create a line of sleepwear in celebration and acknowledgement of the union of nightwear and headscarves. The collections feature prints that match hair-protecting headscarves and incorporate sizes 8 to 26.
20. KEMI TELFORD
Kemi Telford pieces are designed to last forever, as the brand focuses on sustainable practises. Founder Yvonne Modupe Telford pays tribute to Nigerian heritage through the vibrant, colourful collections.
21. TTYA LONDON
TTYA London's range of timeless pieces cater to people who are 5'9" or taller. Each piece is designed to last beyond changing trends and has caught the eyes of A-listers such as Jourdan Dunn, Elle Macpherson, Wendy Williams and many more.
22. SINCERELY NUDE
Sincerely Nude was born out of a need for more diverse nude tones in underwear. The brand offers a range of skin tones for everything from underwear and boob tape to dresses and loungewear.
23. JAWARA ALLEYNE
Jawara Alleyne's designs are inspired by the three places he grew up: Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and London. The fusion of these influences creates bold, impactful pieces that often play off his skill in drape work and anarchic separates.
BEAUTY BRANDS:
24. PAT MCGRATH LABS
The queen of makeup, Pat McGrath’s eponymous brand is incredible. You need only try it out for yourself to see.
25. CHARLOTTE MENSAH
Award-winning stylist Charlotte Mensah put her decades of experience into her own brand, including this shampoo that lovingly hydrates super-dry hair.
26. LIHA
Whilst multipurpose oil isn't the only product that Liha offers (check out its mud cleanser and candles, too), this best seller is a luxurious, tuberose-scented moisturiser that doubles up as hair and body oil. Just run the bottle under warm water to soften the product and unlock its full potential.
27. DIZZIAK
Dizziak only launched a couple of years ago but already boasts a cult following. Whilst this does work on all hair types, it’s particularly great for Afro hair, and it doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals.
28. THE AFRO HAIR & SKIN CO.
The Afro Hair & Skin Co. has some of the chicest packaging we’ve seen in a while (it's always nice to see something pretty on our beauty shelves), and its products are much-loved. From shampoo bars to face masks, we guarantee you’ll love it all.
29. BOUCLÈME
This brand works on all hair types but is particularly good for Afro hair. Apply when hair is wet out of the shower for the best results, and expect happier, healthier curls.
30. MAYA NJIE
It would impossible to compile a list of Black, British-owned beauty brands without including Maya Njie. The East-London–based perfumer is an expert in creating transformative, complex fragrances that will stay with you long after the first spritz. My favourite? The juicy, fresh holiday breeze that is Tropica, or the deep, warm and spicy Tobak.
31. YARD + PARISH
Yard + Parish brings a luxury feel to online retail. The boutique sources gorgeous, super-chic brands that are Black-owned.
32. AFROCENCHIX
Award-winning, London-based Afrocenchix has a range of products—from hair oil to shampoo—that are ideal for Afro hair. All the products are also ethical and sustainable.
33. DANESSA MYRICKS
TikTok-viral beauty brand Danessa Myricks was made with the aim to create inclusive, easy-to-use products that everyone can use. The Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder, one her most famous products, is constantly selling out, so act fast whilst this is still in stock.
Remy Farrell is a London-based shopping editor with nearly 10 years of editorial experience covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. After graduating with a journalism degree and working on the editorial and fashion teams for titles such as Grazia, Elle, Cosmopolitan and British Vogue, she moved into the luxury e-commerce sector, working as fashion assistant at TheOutnet.com styling for the social media channels and helping to develop the collections for the in-house brand Iris & Ink. After expanding an assisting and styling portfolio that includes shooting talent such as Gigi Hadid, Victoria Beckham and Miquita Oliver, she also branched out into beauty, creating tried-and-tested reviews and diverse beauty content.In her role as shopping editor at Who What Wear, Remy is interested in discovering new and exciting brands to share with the Who What Wear readership and particularly loves uncovering hidden gems at affordable prices to make shopping accessible to everyone.Born and raised in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Remy moved to London in 2014 and lives in the Docklands with her partner and pug Billie.
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