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10 Black-owned fashion brands to shop this Black History Month

Upgrade your wardrobe with styles from these trendy labels.

A model wearing a purple outfit, a model wearing a black button-up shirt and brown track pants, and a model wearing a metallic off-the-shoulder top with a green botanical-print pencil skirt. Credit: Reviewed / Ada & Edith / Grace Wales Bonner / Diarrablu

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Black History Month was first instituted in 1970 by the HBCU Kent State, and in 1976 it was federally recognized by President Ford as a month dedicated to celebrating Black history and culture. The month of February has become an annual moment of honoring and celebrating Black historical and contemporary icons and events. In more recent years, a new approach to Black History Month has encouraged consumers to #ShopBlack to support Black-owned businesses of all kinds.

Whether you’re looking to celebrate Black History Month or are just looking to upgrade your wardrobe with some serious style, here are 10 Black-owned fashion brands that are sure to keep you coming back year-round.

Wales Bonner

A patterned sweater vest, a male model wearing a blue printed button-up shirt with brown track pants, and a dress that is black white and yellow.
Credit: Reviewed / Wales Bonner

Grace Wales Bonner incorporates heavy research into her work that celebrates Black heritage.

Wales Bonner was founded in 2014 after its namesake, Grace Wales Bonner—a graduate of the famed fashion school Central Saint Martins and 2016 recipient of the LVMH Prize. Though her label makes clothing for everyone today, it was first established as a menswear brand. Her work in fashion is centered around celebrating Black heritage, namely grounded in her own Jamaican background. This colorful brand is known for using tailoring as a means to play with traditional silhouettes and is best known for its patterned cozy knitted sets and separates. The brand is available at multiple retailers, but its women’s wear can be found at Net-a-Porter and menswear at Mr Porter.

Our top picks from Wales Bonner:

Fear of God Essentials

A male model wearing a beige T-shirt with a black tag on the back, close-up of a male model wearing black shorts with long drawstrings, and a female model wearing a white cropped tank top and white pants.
Credit: Reviewed / Fear of God Essentials

For the latest minimalist trend-aware style, look no further than Fear of God Essentials.

In 2013, during the height of the luxury streetwear trend, Fear of God was founded by Jerry Lorenzo and became a clear front-runner among its competition. In 2018, Lorenzo launched a more affordable and unisex offshoot, Fear of God Essentials, that is dedicated to just that: The essentials.

Muted colorways are an earmark of their many cozy sweatsuit sets and casual basic tops and pants that are sure to elevate your work-from-home and casual Friday looks.

Our top picks from Fear of God Essentials:

Amsale

Collage image of three models wearing diaphanous wedding gowns.
Credit: Amsale

Whether you're a bride-to-be, looking for an elegant bridesmaids dress, or need a new wedding-guest look, look no further than Amsale.

Amsale is the namesake brand of late Ethiopian-American designer, Amsale Aberra. While the brand is known for its impeccable bridal gowns and couture-level craftsmanship, Amsale has also branched out to include dresses for your entire bridal party as well as formal dresses that are ideal for wedding guests, proms, and more.

Although the brand has a lot to choose from, we’re particularly fond of these stunning bridal gowns. Tying the knot this year? Start with Amsale.

Our top picks from Amsale:

  • Dorothy for $2,595
  • Rin for $6,595
  • Primrose for $7,400

Brandon Blackwood

Collage image of two brown purses, and a model wearing a pink ensemble with a pink bag.
Credit: Brandon Blackwood

Brandon Blackwood's bags use bold colors and unique textures for an unforgettable look.

Lovers of designer handbags are probably already familiar with Brandon Blackwood. The designer is known for bags that make bold statements out of unexpected materials. What you might not know, though, is that the brand also has an extensive and luxurious line of apparel, footwear, and accessories. Blackwood’s designs are unique and offer a singular point of view from a designer who wants to push the limits of what fashion can and should look like in 2024. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite handbags, all shoppable at Neiman Marcus.

Our top picks from Brandon Blackwood:

Diarrablu

Collage image of a model wearing a black and white maxi dress, a pink and gold jumpsuit, and a model wearing a gold off-the-shoulder top with a green botanical-print pencil skirt.
Credit: Diarrablu

If striking prints and an unabashed use of color are your vibe, Diarrablu's luxurious designs are a must-have.

Senegalese designer Diarra Bousso forged her own path to dressmaking, first receiving a degree in mathematics from Stanford University before ultimately turning to what she really loved: Fashion. The designer founded her brand, Diarrablu as a way to combine her love of fashion with her brilliance in mathematics. Bousso has spoken in the past of how she’s used mathematical formulas to design garments and prints, all of which are subtle—and sometimes not-so-subtle—nods to her Senegalese heritage (the designer has titled herself ‘Chief Creative Mathematician’ for the company rather than creative director).

These luxurious clothes are handmade by artisans in Senegal, and are an easy way to add a pop of color and dramatic draping to any look.

Our top picks from Diarrablu:

  • Zany Top for $145
  • Umy Jumpsuit for $225
  • Satu Dress for $225

Chelsea Paris

Collage image of a brown corduroy boot, a black loafer, and an orange mule.
Credit: Chelsea Paris

Shop Chelsea Paris for classic, elegant footwear.

Designer Theresa Ebagua launched Chelsea Paris in 2012 as a way to celebrate her African heritage and European craftsmanship. The brand offers stylish footwear made from African-inspired textiles, designs, and colors. Chelsea Paris has made it its mission to use vegetable-tanned leather and eco-conscious materials in the production of its shoes in efforts to be more sustainable.

Our top picks from Chelsea Paris:

Brother Vellies

Collage image of a mule shoe made from printed fabric, a brown cowboy boot with emblems painted onto it, and a white Mary Jane she.
Credit: Brother Vellies

Brother Vellies is known for its trendy footwear, socks, and accessories (and even housewares).

When designer Aurora James launched Brother Vellies in 2013, she could never have imagined what a cultural touchstone the brand would come to represent. Her striking footwear and cozy socks are not just stylish and comfortable to wear, they’re gorgeous statement pieces. The designer has even branched out to include her ‘Bodega’ collection, a line of products made for the home. You can shop shoes, accessories, and housewares now at Nordstrom.

Our top picks from Brother Vellies:

Hanifa

A knit dress, green sweater, and tasseled skirt.
Credit: Reviewed / Hanifa

A trendy size-inclusive brand, Hanifa’s beautiful clothes are striking and attention-grabbing.

Size-inclusive luxury brand Hanifa was founded in 2012 by Anifa Mvuemba. During the pandemic, when most designers had to either halt or find alternatives to runway shows, Hanifa came to the attention of the mainstream fashion space in 2020 with her groundbreaking AI fashion presentation.

While the brand's mainstays consist of fun, sexy, comfortable, and colorful knitwear, Anifa does not shy away from pushing each collection further than the last, by playing with different styles of knits that she is best known for, as well as with new materials like painted faux leather, and most recently expanded into footwear.

Our top picks from Hanifa:

Riot Swim

A model wearing a beige one-piece, one-shoulder bathing suit, a model wearing a black cover-up, and a model wearing a pink bikini.
Credit: Reviewed / Riot Swim

For unique and luxurious swimwear, consider Riot Swim.

Founded in 2016 by Monti Landers, Riot Swim offers swimwear and cover-ups that toe the line between simple and sexy. Their twists on classic swimwear styles, as well as unique cuts, are sure to cause double-takes, while their cover-ups provide a seamless transition between pool lounging and your next activity. Their high-cut one-pieces will elongate even the shortest legs, while their atypical tops could double as a crop top with a pair of high-waisted jeans.

Our top picks from Riot Swim:

Ada & Edith

Collage image of a model wearing a purple ensemble, a model wearing a blue and white printed maxi dress, and a model wearing a gray sweater dress.
Credit: Ada & Edith

Shop Ada & Edith for total looks that are elegant, tasteful, and high-fashion.

Before Ukonwa Oja launched Ada & Edith, she served as the Global Chief Marketing Offer for Amazon Prime Video and Studios. It was her frustration with a male-dominated fashion industry that didn’t serve her community that led to her founding the brand. Today, Ada & Edith offers luxurious designs that make getting dressed each day easy.

Our top picks from Ada & Edith:

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