Inspiring + Talented BIPOC Everyone Should Know About :: Fashion

image via Fe Noel 

….Continued from original BIPOC post….

BIPOC women are rocking it in the fashion world, especially in making beautiful minimalist or high end clothing that is not only sustainable, but follow and honor ethical practices. I’ve become quite obsessed and in love with so many of the brands below, and once you read and see a bit about them, you will clearly see why. Although as a consumer I fall on the lower end, as for the last several years the amount of new clothing or purchases I make for me personally I can count on one hand per year — BUT whenever I plan on making future purchases I have an endless selection of conscious and beautiful BIPOC brands to choose from…

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1. Maygel Coronel 

When I discovered Maygel Coronel several months ago, I think I may have shed a tear at the sheer beauty of these swim suits and pieces designed for a life in the sun. Ugh I don’t even have the words to describe how stunning each design is, please go see for yourself! I’m someone who would live in dresses and beachwear everyday if I could {because one cannot freely walk naked}, so I would absolutely have every single creation if I could. Made in Columbia, by founder Maygel, the brand also does an amazing natural job of hightailing the beauty of women, especially women of color. Although not within my spending budget, and I know for many of you, but hey, a gal can dream about these beauties right?!

2. Fe Noel

Ohhh Fe Noel…I LOVE EVERYTHING you create!! “Eat well, travel often, dress to inspire”…that is Fe Noel’s philosophy, uhh sold!! But my oh my, I wish I could afford so many of its gorgeous, vibrant, free flowing pieces, especially this Nutmeg Beige Robe and pretty much everything in the Daughter of the Soil collection. That’s alright, I’ll be rocking it in my dreams…. 3. lemlem   lemlem is a collection of women/men/children’s pieces entirely made in Africa. They are committed to helping and empowering local artisan groups, including with the work of its lemlem foundation as well. I’ll take every dress please, even if they’re a bit above what I can spend, but a we can still admire all the beautiful pieces! 4. AAKS   I’m not exaggerating, just 100% honest when I say AAKS’s weaved bags are some of the beautiful I’ve ever seen!! Founder Akosua Afriyie-Kumi wanted to introduce the world to her favorite weaving and dying techniques native to a small village in Ghana which makes every bag uniquely beautiful while creating sustainable jobs within Africa. 

3.  SIKA

I found out about SIKA a few week ago and goodness, do I love all their beautiful pieces designed in London and handmade in Ghana! But what I love mostly about their brand is that their vision isn’t merely to create pretty clothes, it’s true purpose is to give power to fashion and others to see that it can make a positive contribution to society while still upholding ethical and sustainable practices at its core. SIKA is just another example how beautiful fashion can be simultaneously sustainable. 

4. SESSAH

If I could fit my wardrobe with every single piece from a designer it would be the timeless and beautiful vintage romantic pieces created by Vanessa Delaine for her brand, SESSAH. It’s a small capsule of curated designs that go beyond travel must-haves, their gorgeous pieces that flow freely and evoke that senses of travel into our everyday lives. Vanessa’s creations are all made with handcrafted techniques and natural materials, like linen, cotton silk blends and 100% pima cotton. 

5. DIARRABLU

There’s really not a piece I don’t love from DIARRABLU; from the GORGEOUS kimonos and dresses, to their printed mules — I want it ALL! Even more so because the contemporary lifestyle brand founded by Diarra Bousso, is on a mission to celebrate sustainability while highlighting Africa’s beautifully rich colors and unique patterns versatile pieces. Most pieces are made in Dakar, Senegal and are known for being convertible/adjustable and wearable across various sizes and occasions along your life’s journey. And they’re also selling a limited collection of art prints too!

6. Two Days Off

Give me everything from Two Days Off and I’d be happily and fully content with this perfectly effortless, minimalist and beautifully comfortable and chic wardrobe! Gina Stovall created this thoughtfully made sustainable line of limited edition batches in Los Angeles with the intention that a good wardrobe can be simple and conscious with enough ease for everyday life. Every part of her process, from the selection of sustainable fabrics, to the practices of making each piece have been considered for their environmental impact.

7. Elaine Welteroth

Whether you’re a fashionista or not and just a fan of Project Runaway, then you may know about the amazing Elaine Welteroth. She’s first a journalist editor and now best selling author of “More Than Enough”, but she joined the ranks of editorial fashion history in 2016 when she became the Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, only the 2nd of African-American heritage to hold the title in Condé Nast’s 107-year history!! Yeah she’s a badass, she’s my favorite on Project Runway. Btw she had a NYC stoop wedding during the middle of lockdown with dance breaks in the street and it was best.thing.EVER!

8. NYCxClothes

Sisters Shelcy & Christy have a way with storytelling and building a community, and they created NYCxClothes as a way to explore that along with fashion, travel and all the things the love about NYC through a multicultural lens. As Haitian immigrants who moved to the city after the tragic earthquake, they didn’t see many black women like them telling their stories and proudly owning their heritage, and they wanted to change that — and did! Their instagram is a dreamy breath of the lovely little moments in life. 

9. Lisa Hsieh // Mien

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NHTSLAZpR/ 

Lisa Hsieh is the founder and designer of Mien an eco-friendly, minimal chic clothing line for modern women and modern motherhood. But if you ask me her clothing is gorgeous and lovely to wear even if you’re not pregnant or a mother, and essential that’s what she wanted to create when she launched Mien — clothing for all busy women seeking a more sustainable, comfortable, low maintenance, and flattering wardrobe made from the best fabrics with non-toxic AZO-free dyes, and working with the best local factories. Her personal photography is quite a beautiful reflection of the simple joys of life. 

10. Simply Cyn 

Cynthia, is a NYC gal with african roots, an attorney and travel at heart looking for the color that is life. Her blog Simply Cyn is her creative space where she can share all the things she loves and inspiring us all in with it in return! Cynthia is another woman of color I first heard about during The Refined Woman days, and I’ve loved following her colorful and authentic journey. 

11. Chrissy Rutherford 

Chrissy Rutherford is using her fashion sense and experience beyond style and clothes, the Senior Digital Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, is using it to encompass all parts of life, including activism for black rights and mental health. 

12. A.Au 

A.Au is taking the influences of global experiences, advanced atelier skills and creating sophisticated handmade pieces that exude an effortless spirited freedom.I’m OBSESSED with this deep golden yellow dress, it’s what made me fall in love with the brand — the India collection is everything! Their philosophy is so much more than beautiful clothing, founder Asiyami Gold, wants to empower women globally with a visual curiosity to carve their own path — to embrace their history, their culture and identity. And 10% of each sale goes toward building education scholarships to help fund the next generation of bright Abua youths…and that is the kind of fashion brand I love to support! 

13. Asiyami Gold

The immensely stylish and inspiringly creative Asiyami Gold is a the founder and creative director of A.Au. But she’s an all-around creator through and through, blending a passion for design, photography and travel, that explored the effortless excitement all things and elegant wanderlust. Along with her beautiful brands and designs, she’s produced the creative direction for many well-known brand projects with her creative studio, Aucostudio.

14. Jade Swim  

Simple doesn’t mean basic, and Brittany Kozerski creator of Jade Swim is making sure the brand is carefully crafting a luxe fabric line of swimwear that is classic with an edge. Each are designed with versatility in mind, day to night, beach to swim, and using fabrics with retention technology and UV protection as well as resistance to chlorine, suntan lotions/oils which ensures a long term wearability. I of course love the colors Sage, Honey and Terracotta, especially in the Halo Top.

15. Micaéla Verrelien

Micaéla Verrelien is a fashion maven, just one of the beautiful black women featured in this Manrepeller editorial I’m obsessed with, but I had been following her incredible fashion and style for some time before. This beauty rocks flowers in her hair like no other, how could I not love her! Fashion gave her voice and not she’s using it and her platform to share positivity and love, embracing it with all the things she’s passionate about!

16. Sandra N. // That Style Nomad

What is a nomad, for Sandra it’s someones who’s on a continuous cultural, spiritual, mental, intellectual and emotional journey and that’s what she embodies with That Style Nomad. I’m most certainly a nomad at heart, the ability to go with the flow, adapt to their surroundings and Sandra beautiful combines her Nordic and African roots to evoke a unique nomadic lifestyle!

17. B.FREEDOM

Founded by Mmii Ubani, B.FREEDOM was founded by Mmii Ubani, who has always been inspired by women wholeheartedly living their life, following their dreams, traveling, celebrating — women who are unapologetically themselves. And that is how each thoughtfully, small-batch made piece is thoughtfully designed and made. Her gorgeous pieces are all about easy, simple pieces that will stand the test of time. The jumpsuits are gorgeous and the wide leg pants are everything! 

18. TOVE

TOVE founders Camille Perry and Holly Wright design beautiful clothes to reflect and celebrate the self-assured and spirited women. But oh my Tove’s dresses are beauties!  I would seriously where the Ceres organic cotton midid dress everyday if I could, in the garden, picking herbs, twirling in the flower fields…so dreamy!

19. ÖFUURË

So when the amazing Tabitha Brown rocks this equally amazing and gorgeous swimsuit and kimono, you must absolutely check out the creative makers behind the design. And that would be ÖFUURË is an African fashion brand feauturing versatile  designs with vibrant prints and bold, beautifully rich patterns! ÖFUURË is an Ishan, an EDO state in Nigeria, word meaning “it is well.”

20. We Dream in Colour 

 We Dream in Colour has some of the most beautiful gorgeous jewelry!! I especially love the Tobago, Sweet Tobago and Trinidad earrings, they are STUNNERS!! Founder Jade Oedean owes much of her inspiration and designs to growing up with a nomadic lifestyle from being born in the US, to growing up in Trinidad and living in numerous countries thereafter — and those experiences and influences are clearly seen in her work. 

21. Aliya Wanek

When I think of clean-lined, free-flowing effortless minimalist clothing, I think of Aliya Wanek.  I really love their dresses, jumpsuits and skirts/pants, there certainly pieces I would cherish in my wardrobe for years. 

22. Cee Cee’s Closet

Cee Cee’s Closet celebrates the beauty that are West African prints, all handmade in Nigeria. I’ll please take this Clementine top and skirt, Nova headband, and Carolina Sweetheart Dress!! Just to name a few pieces…

23. Brother Vellies // Aurora James

Brother Vellies is a luxury fashion brand making timeless designed shoes and accessories with the goal of honoring African design practices and techniques, while also creating sustainable artisanal jobs. Through Aurora James‘ background in fashion, journalism, art, music, photography and yes even horticulture, she has become a vital humanitarian and activism fighting for racial justice, especially in the fashion industry. Aurora has become a force in the world of fashion and activistagainst calling out leading fashion brands and is that reason so many have taken the 15% pledge towards economic equality!  https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyttttJRSE/

24. Sacko

I got into all forms of flower/plant perservation this spring, which included natural dying with botanicals and although I’m still learning the tricks, Nana Sacko perfected it in a sustainable way and turned it into Sacko where she makes and sells small batch hand dyed garments using 100% natural dyes from plants, each one a one-of-a-kind piece. Ahh we need more conscious and sustainable fashion brands like this! 

25. Salone Monet

Everyone deserves to have the perfect matching “nude/skin tone” heel, and Salone Monet’s are the prettiest! My shoes all range from different shades of skin tones, and that’s privilege that I can wear an array of “nude” shoes but people of color don’t have the options. Kudos to Salone Monet for making it possible for all BIPOC to be able to too!

28. ZOU XOU Shoes

Argentinian shoemakers, ZOU XOU Shoes, use age-old techniques and premium leathers to produced in small batch shoes that are minimally and beautifully designed, specifically to last. It’s beauty meets function with a mission to reduce waste and energy as part of responsible manufacturing practices in the slow fashion movement. I love their Mule in Olive!

29. Sseko Designs

The one sandal that can be transformed into so many different versatile style sandals, that’s what propelled Sseko into the spotlight! But it began as a way to generate income for talented young women in Uganda to continue on to university, which Sseko Designs created a program in which these young women work for Sseko during a 9month period before going to university as a means to learn more and save money. Sseko is sooo much more than a beautiful shop selling fair-trade sandals, clothing and accessories they are giving numerous young women invaluable life skills training and professional mentors to further their educational and personal journeys. And their full-time staff is primarily hired from non-profit partners. You can find out more about all the amazing work they’re doing here, and other ways you can get involved too. It is truly an inspiring fashion brand many others can learn from. 

30. Janelle Marie Lloyd

Janelle Marie Lloyd with her effortlessly chic style is “on a mission to help women get [her] fashion girl look” with Wait You Need This. 

31. Lydia // Femme BLK

Lydia is another effortlessly cool and chic fashionable black woman, an Ethiopian now living in Sweden. I love that she loves fashion, but she loves food so much more!!

32. Taylor and Max

No I don’t have children, nor am I expecting anytime soon, but I’m always on the hunt for sustainable and organic Children’s clothing brands, because you know better to be prepared, and luckily there are many popping up! Taylor and Max is a darling shop featuring designers and artisans from all over the world, focusing on ethically and consciously made clothing. And goodness there are soo many lovely pieces for baby, children, mommy and event toys!

33. Sun & Lace

Sun & Lace is a children’s shoe and accessory brand where founder Briana makes high quality, unique and darling pieces for your little ones. Each piece is handmade by her, each one getting her attention and care. Her little booties and leather bags are seriously the most adorable things ever!!

34. Pretty Please Boutique Teethers 

The adorable shop Pretty Please Teethers came out of founder’s Kelli frustration of not finding safe and modern minimalist styled items there were natural for her little one. It’s true when you start to dive in and search for completely ehtical and sustainable brands, especially for babies there aren’t that many. So Kellie made her own she knew both mommys and babies would enjoy! All products are made from food-grade silicone and natural beechwood beads/rings and are tested by independent, governing safety institutions to ensure they go above the expected safety standards. The products really are soo cute, I mean I’m obsessed with their woven rattles! and are even that much better because they’re made with safer materials for children. 

35. Fanm Djanm

Headwraps are very much an integral part of black women’s hair care and style. And I’ve always found them to be beautiful, both in the array of colorful prints and fabrics, but especially the art in the skill of creating one’s head wrap. Fanm Djanm has some of the prettiest head wraps I’ve seen, and as much as I love the look of a head wrap I wouldn’t wear one since I’ve always felt that I would be appropriating it merely for a style choice, not because my curly hair could benefit from it, and that’s not okay with me. But they have just as beautiful of a collection of headbands, which I personally would love each and every one, as well as bold jewelry and apparel, like lovely kaftans, kimonos and dresses! 

36. Isobel & Chloe 

Isobel & Chloe makes knitwear pieces from sweaters to beautiful kaftans and of course scarves. Each piece is made with traditional hand and machine knitting techniques using organic and sustainable yarns. 

37. MAARA Collective

MAARA is a gorgeous luxury resortwear line that embraces and reflects traditional skills and craftsmanship from founder Julie Shaw’s Yuwaalaraay roots, Aboriginal Australian people of New South Wales. Her purpose is to showcase and celebrate Indigenous art through fashion by working with local artisans to create smaller art collectives. 

38. Romy Studio

When you think of statement earrings, you also don’t think they can be minimalist modern, well that’s the kind of beautiful jewelry Camille Hay is creating for her line, Romy Studio.  She makes all her pieces in small batches, so you know each design, each piece is intentionally made to create memorable and timeless pieces. Everything is also a limited collection, so if you’ve got your eye on a pair of earrings, like her gorgeous artichoke colors, then better get it now before it’s gone! 

39. Worthy of Evolving

 I’d love everything in Worthy of Evolving’s Jewelry and Self-Care Shops!! EVERY.thing!!

40. Melanie Marie

Melanie Marie does all sorts of pretty custom gold, sterling silver necklace and jewelry! So many to choose from for yourself and gift someone you care about. 

41. Lola Ade

If you love Bold Beautiful jewelry, Lola Ade is for you!! Their pieces are eye catching stunners!

42. Yam

Yam’s upcycled pieces are boldly dainty, and I love them all!

43. BYCHARI

So many beautiful pieces to be found on BYCHARI! Which piece to treat yourself will be the real tough question. 

44. Tree Fairfax

Tree Fairfax is what they call a “minimal” leather goods brand making lovely classic bags to be used and cherished for years. Although I refrain from personal leather use, there pieces are made with imperfect leather hides and they only make pieces to order which reduces waste, and that is important.  

45. The Tiny Tassel 

The Tiny Tassel was featured on the Today Show and I instantly loved the bond between this mother-daughter created company. Each colorful fun piece is handmade, handpainted and made with a lot love in hopes to bring a bit of joy into others lives.

46. Jam+Rico

Growing up with family both in Jamaica and Puerto Rico, Lisette Scott was constantly around rich culture, food and music. As she became older she became enamored by the colors of these countries, the carnivals, the art, beaches and language — it all led to the inspiration for the creation of Jam+Rico, a beautiful shop of jewelry bringing Lisette closer to her ancestors and connecting to the cultures. The Hoja Earrings and Cowrie Bangle are unique takes on timeless pieces. 

47. Omi Woods

The thing that caught my eye with Omi Woods jewelry is how meaningfully connected its designs are to to Africa. Founder intentionally creates each design, including her brand’s name which is in honor of the Yoruba language and her Jamaican-Ashanti-Maroon heritage. Each piece is individually and ethically handmade with fair trade African gold and globally sourced conflict-free fine metals that support the well-being of local miners and their communities. Each piece is a symbol of the complex and rich African culture. 

48. De’Juana Mallory

De’Juana Mallory is a one to look up to and for when it comes to all things Fashion! She’s a Los Angeles based freelance wardrobe stylist and trend forecaster, from her personal style you know very well why she can see fashion trends before they become trends and has styled numerous artists and models for editorials. 

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And these lists won’t end here, as I learn about more BIPOC I will continuously be updating these lists with as many inspiring talents as possible, so stay tuned!!

Don’t forget to check out these other inspiring BIPOC too!

Writers || Poets || Speakers || Publications+Books || NonProfits

Interiors || Home Decor + Design

Artists || Photographers || Creators

Wedding/Event Professionals || Floral Designers

Environmentalists || Sustainability || Planters/Gardeners

Lifestyle || Wellness || Travel

Food 

Beauty 

Entertainment || Music || Movies + TV