At the beginning of the year I decided to support the Black economy by only purchasing black owned fashion items and from black owned boutiques. Due to the renewed global attention to racial inequality, many people have followed suit to support black owned businesses more often. I recently have expanded my #IKBuysBlack effort to include beauty and home products, with the goal of eventually having most of my clothes, skincare, makeup, and decor all be by Black designers. Since we’re halfway through the year, here’s my update of what I’ve purchased so far!
Black Owned Fashion Purchases
Imad Eduso – I loved my first purchase from this brand so much I bought another set!
The Kemist – This top was on my spring shopping list but sadly when I got it, it was cut a bit small ? so I’ve only been able to wear it half unbuttoned and while sitting down. I also got these leather pants which are surprisingly buttery and hug my bum perfectly!
Fenoel – I actually forgot that I bought this top and this bodysuit because they’ve been at my parent’s house this whole time!
Nubian Skin – I bought these biker shorts in the color light and I kind of wish I bought them in the color medium to better match this bandeau that’s helping me continue my no underwire bra goals for the year.
Brother Vellies – Speaking of nudes, I preordered these beautiful sainty sandals and they finally shipped. I feel like they’re the kind of shoe that goes with every single outfit. It’s available in a dark brown snake embossed version on the BV site!
Telfar – another accessory that I forgot I bought and has been chilling in my parent’s house (this is clearly a trend), I got this bag in medium white. I would have preferred the small but I have a lot of small dainty bags and figured now that TKB is getting a bit older I might be able to pull off a handbag that has space for my wallet and 2 diapers instead of a complete diaper bag.
Kai Collective – you’ve seen this shirt. You love this shirt. This one looks like wealth and it’s on my list for my next black owned fashion shopping haul.
Andrea Iyamah – I bought this bathing suit for our anniversary trip, but since it was canceled, I might just have to wear it in the bathtub. This top though has been displaying my newly minted boobs!
Shop New Level – This white babydoll dress is perfect for summer! So comfortable and not see through.
Hanifa – I kept telling myself I would wait until my body was snatched to purchase something from this black owned fashion label, but the 3D fashion show snatched my edges so badly I HAD to support! I’m so excited to rock this dress – I envision pairing it with my Kai Collective top layered underneath + my Brother Vellies sandals + Telfar bag!
Siri Studio – I got these beautiful yellow pants at the beginning of the year, and just ordered this organza top, this tank, and these shorts. I clearly have a thing for white clothes.
Shop FKSP – This was another brand I was hesitant to buy because the models all have tiny waists but the quality of these pants is top notch and the sizing was spot on!
Shop Caribbean Cowgirl – I bought this hat and styled it here but I have my eyes on this belt but this top is also gorgeous.
Soko – I found this jewelry brand while doing a campaign with ShopStyle, and they’re actually made in Kenya. Someone mentioned that the founders were white, but one of the founders is Kenyan (there are three founders) so I’m including them as well! In my effort to buy more local Kenyan brands, I’ve surprisingly found that a lot of them are white or Indian owned, so the need to buy Black extends even to the continent. Anyway, I have these earrings and this ring and like the quality and design of both.
Diop – I bought a mudcloth mask from this company after seeing Hayet talk about them in her stories, but unfortunately they didn’t have their international shipping together and I haven’t received it yet (a month later ?)
Black Owned Beauty Purchases
Cori Rene – I’ve been using this whipped butter by my friend Nykeba for a few years as a hand cream to carry in my purses, but we started using it on TKB and he gets so many compliments on his skin (even from the doctor!) so we just ordered another huge batch.
Shani Darden – I’ve heard so much about this brand and bought a trial size of the Retinol Reform during the Sephora sale earlier this year without even knowing the founder is Black! I haven’t tried it yet but tonight’s the night.
Bolden – I totally forgot about this company but I used their products a few years ago. They worked but I needed something more serious to cure my cystic acne, but now that it’s under control I repurchased the cleanser.
Hyper Skin – My Vitamin C product is running low so I figured I’d pre-order this product that’s gotten such rave reviews by Black beauty editors.
Mented Cosmetics – I’ve been meaning to try this brand for a while, especially because the founders are Harvard alum as well, but the struggle of me doing my eyebrows for this video reminded me that it was time for a new brow pencil. I stocked up during their sale this past weekend!
Black Owned Baby Product Purchases
Pretty Please Teethers – Once I discovered this brand, I stalked their page until their silicone bibs came back in stock! They’re restocking again soon – don’t miss it!
I’m definitely on the hunt for more baby brands, so if you have suggestions, please let me know!
Black Owned Home Decor Purchases
Bespoke Binny – I just bought a lampshade from this brand and I’m SO excited for it to arrive!
Decor Gallery Kenya – The blue pillows from our home office are from here! They have tons of cute trinkets.
Tira Studio – TKB’s dresser is from this company! The customer service is spot on – the first dresser we had, the drawers didn’t close correctly, so she made us a brand new one.
Come Home Design – So I haven’t officially gotten anything yet, but we’re in the process of putting together a giveaway for you guys – I’m drooling over these leather pillows!
My team is actually compiling a list of 100+ Black owned home decor brands – if you want to be the first to know when it’s ready, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter!
If your interested in some cool graphic t shirts check out http://www.pmstreetwear.com. They are black owned and have some awesome t shirts. Their Instagram is @productive_minds. I love that you are doing this. I think this should be the new normal and continue supporting our black people and their businesses!
Thank you for sharing!!
So many black own businesses! ? has been watching Brother Ville and I just be in awe. The price point keeps me daydreaming that one day I will splurge for a pair of those ? hide ?. Now, we have these brands to shop from I will be speaking in existence resources to buy Black Black on Black. ????????????????
Their boots are everything!!