20 Black-Owned Brands We Adore
January 19, 2023
One of the great joys of what we do is to introduce our clients and readers to amazing lifestyle brands. In this edition, we have the extra joy of featuring some of our favorite brands that are founded by Black business owners. In support of the BIPOC movement, and to bring attention to these amazing stylemakers, we encourage you to use your purchasing power in support of this great group of entrepreneurs.
WELLNESS
Klur
Klur focuses on creating products that highlight their values as a company: clean, ethical, and inclusive beauty through skin wellness. With experience as an esthetician and formulator, founder Lesley Thornton made it her priority to contribute to both minimalistic regimens and a minimalistic lifestyle while still delivering long-term results for all customers.
OUI the People
OUI the People has changed the way people think about their imperfections, known as the “reConstitution of Beauty.” Their product line includes razors, shave gel, body gloss, and bikini line sheet masks that are designed to help you feel great in the skin you’re already in.
KNC Beauty
With its line of lip masks, eye masks, and lip balm, KNC Beauty has taken the beauty industry by storm. Founder Kristen Noel Crawley was the first to create an all-natural, collagen-infused lip mask that is loved by celebrities and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, Elle, and Net-A-Porter.
Hyper Skin
It’s time to get hyper! Hyper Skin was created after Desiree Verdejo failed to find a product on the market that effectively targeted and conquered her skincare concerns. Their #1 serum, Hyper Clear, consists of natural and clean ingredients that brighten skin, smooth texture, and treat hyperpigmentation.
Golde
Golde makes products that taste good, make you look good, and help you feel good, brought to us by co-founders, Trinity Mouzon Wofford and Issey Kobori. Their diverse product line ranges from superfood latte blends, matcha powder, face masks, and branded merchandise; all-natural, easy, and fun!
FOOD + DRINK
Trade Street Jam Co.
These are not your average jams! Trade Street Jam Co. shares their culinary exploration in the form of a small batch jar in an explosion of flavors such as Blueberry Lemon Basil, Smoked Peach, Plum + Rose, Strawberry Chipotle + Fig, Sour Cherry Ginger, and Blackberry Mulled Merlot. Now offering local pick-up for the NYC + Brooklyn area!
Blondery
Blondery was founded by Auzerais Bellamy, who’s had more than 10 years of experience at Bouchon Bakery, Benoit Bistro, Per Se, French Laundry, and Daniel. She was able to perfect her signature baked goods and blondies, and now ships them to sweet-tooths nationwide. Her online shop reopens June 21st; be one of the first to order! In the meantime, you can watch her in action on LIVunLtd’s IGTV!
McBride Sisters Winery
Two sisters, one shared passion for wine. Based in Oakland, California, the winery brought Robin and Andréa together after nearly half of their lives, where they created the McBride Sisters Wine Collection. Since its inception, it has become the largest African-American-owned wine company in the United States.
Phillip Ashley Chocolates
Chocolatier and Chef, Phillip Ashley Rix, has been named the “Real-life Willy Wonka” by Forbes Magazine as he crafts the most beautiful and delicate chocolates, available to be shipped right to your door!
Courage + Stone Cocktails
Produced and bottled right in the heart of Brooklyn, Courage + Stone Cocktails features a line of high-quality, ready-to-drink cocktails that taste perfect every time. Choose between the Classic Manhattan, the Classic Old-Fashioned, or both. No mixing, no mess, and make the perfect gift!
HOME
54kibo
As a native of Africa, 54kibo founder + CEO, Nana Quagraine, has always loved the unique, contemporary African designs she stumbled upon during her trips home. She created a platform to share the vast creativity and talent of these African communities that are otherwise under-represented and hard to access.
YOWIE
YOWIE is a home and life shop, brand, and design studio that started online in 2016 by Shannon Maldonado and has since grown into a storefront located in South Philadelphia. The brand was founded on the idea that art and design can connect people near and far through curating small collections from friends, independent artists, and designers.
Jungalow
What started out as a lifestyle blog in 2009 by designer and artist, Justina Blakeney, soon became a bohemian home goods destination, inspiring all to bring more color and nature into the home. Jungalow’s shop features signature collections designed in Los Angeles by Justina herself, as well as curated, colorful goods from all around the globe. Not to mention, in the past year, they’ve donated to a number of non-profit organizations they believe in, including ACLU, Girls Who Code, The Rainforest Alliance, and The National Organization for Women. She’s also the writer of one of our all-time favorite coffee table books and New York Times best-seller, “The New Bohemians.”
Goodee
As a certified B-Corp, Goodee fuses together good design and good purpose, meaning every single item offered on their website is ethically made and transparently sourced. Designers, creative directors, and twin brothers, Byron and Dexter Peart, curate funky home goods that each tell an authentic, meaningful story.
Paige’s Candle Co
Paige’s Candle Co was created by Paige Graham, a born and raised New Yorker. Each candle is handmade, handcrafted, and sold at various retail locations throughout the United States. A portion of each candle sale is donated to offering craft classes to youth development non-profit organizations in New York City. She’s also hosted quite a few exclusive candle-making workshops for our clients.
FASHION
Autumn Adeigbo
Ethical fashion entrepreneur (and former LIVunLtd employee!), Autumn Adeigbo designed a colorful, women-focused, fashion brand with the vision of positively impacting the lives of women across cultures. Her collections are for women who love to stand out in a crowd and can be purchased at Rent the Runway, Anthropologie, and small boutiques across the nation.
Vavvoune
Concepted, designed, and made in New York, Vavvoune [prounced vav·une] produces wearable leather accessories that are truly one-of-a-kind by the self-taught designer and artisan, Valerie Blaise.
Michel Men
This American menswear accessories brand was created by first-generation, Haitian American and Brooklyn local, Whitney Michel. Though luxury ties have always been their bread-and-butter, Michel Men has added handmade face masks to their offering, which you may have spotted in Vogue, GQ, Poosh, or Refinery29. Twenty percent of each purchase goes towards The Dream Defenders, which provides support to the homeless population in Miami during COVID-19.
BLK MKT VINTAGE
BLK MKT Vintage is comprised of an unending collection of vintage finds and collectibles that highlight the richness of black history. With over 15 years of collecting experience combined, founders Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart have an eye for artifacts like vintage literature, vinyl records, clothing pieces, art, housewares, and furniture.
Andrea Iyamah
Nigerian Designer, Andrea Iyamah, caters to females across all borders and is strongly influenced by color, ethnic cultures, and nature. The brand is popularly recognized for its unique take on swimwear, but also specializes in ready-to-wear and custom-made event dresses.
BlackNation, WeBuyBlack, eatOkra, Official Black Wall Street, and Black-owned Brooklyn are additional platforms we encourage you to reference.