This month is all about celebrating the achievements of African and Caribbean people throughout history – and we’ve found eight beautiful black-owned brands to bring diversity and glamour to your boutique…
TOVE STUDIO
Founded by former Topshop employees Camille Perry and Holly Wright, sustainable womenswear label Tove Studio creates timeless premium pieces shoppers will wear season after season. At the heart of its range are its signature silky dresses, which retail at £600+, alongside denim, knitwear, outwear and cotton separates. The label sources its fabrics from environmentally conscious mills that utilise the finest quality natural, organic and recycled fabrics. Manufacture is mainly at source to keep its carbon footprint to a minimum. Each collection is purposefully conceived to transcend seasons and its luxury materials are chosen for both their beauty and durability.
CONTACT: E: wholesale@tove-studio.com tove-studio.com
CHALK JEWELLERY
London-based design studio Chalk Jewellery is run by architect Malaika Carr who creates unusual geometric and wearable forms. Its designer and maker has a passion for beautifully crafted design in all its forms, from the structure of large cityscapes to the intricacies of fine jewellery pieces. The brand’s collections are influenced by architectural elements, everyday objects and bold colourful cultural patterns. All pieces are carefully handmade by Malaika.
CONTACT: E: malaika@thechalkhouse.com thechalkhouse.com
SANTE + WADE
Established by Shola Asante and Agnès Cushnie in 2019, premium footwear brand SANTE + WADE focuses on inclusivity, offering high quality, comfortable and versatile footwear in up to UK size 12. Its customers are modern women looking for choice, comfort and quality, while its inclusive ethos appeals to those who’ve been expected to fade into the background. Each collection offers a range of beautifully crafted and comfortable shoes that will take the wearer from one occasion to the next. The brand works with multi-generational factories in Portugal that share its values while it sources long-lasting leathers of Spanish and Italian origin. It also uses 100 per cent recycled packaging, recycled cork beds on its sneakers and veg-tanned leathers. SANTE + WADE’s designs have been worn by celebrities such as Kate Winslet and Paris Lee, while it was short-listed in four categories in the Drapers Footwear Awards 2022.
CONTACT: E: hello@santewade.com santewade.com
SHAHINI FAKHOURIE
Emerging black-owned fashion brand Shahini Fakhourie creates minimalist, high-end streetwear designs with a focus on art, fashion and sustainability. Its eponymous Miami -based designer focuses on sustainability, affordability, quality and transparency while delving into the past to create a women’s capsule collection that is as bold and innovative as its wearer. Founded in 2017 with the first capsule range produced in 2019, the label’s garments feature sustainable, UPF 50 and vegan fabrics, which are made in Brooklyn NYC inside a zero-waste factory. Key pieces include the open back Kelly dress (pictured) with woven metal straps and zipper trim along the neckline.
CONTACT: E: sofia@blackpr.co.uk shahinifakhourie.com
LOLA TARA
Founded by IB Oyerinde, a fashion model with Nigerian roots living in the US and Europe, Lola Tara offers a capsule collection of luxury jumpsuits, dresses and coordinates. The label’s timeless investment pieces can be dressed up or down, offering versatile garments that can be worn for work, special occasions and off-duty. Its premium range includes high-end made-in-the-UK pieces crafted in materials such as Japanese poly satin. Standout styles include the Sahara jumpsuit, Aspen shirt dress and wide-leg Siena trousers. Buyers can choose from a selection of styles and colourways to create their own unique edit.
CONTACT: E: hello@lolatara.com lolatara.com
EMME CADEAU
Premium footwear brand Emme Cadeau merges two of its founder’s major influences: Caribbean flair and New York Edge. Founder and designer Marcella Gift grew up on the on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, which is reflected in the brand’s uniqueness of materials used to create it footwear. Today she lives in New York City, which also influences her designs via structure, shape and fit. Comfort is a key focus for each of her designs and Gift tests each shoe herself before they join the collection, wearing them continuously over several days before making tweaks. Each style is made in Portugal and features arch support and a three-layer foam insole to support the feet. Key styles include leather sneakers in eye-catching prints, bold towering party shoes and kitten heels. The brand also aims to be inclusive in its sizing, offering shoes running from EU 35 to 45.
CONTACT: E: orders@emmecadeau.com emmecadeau.com
APRIL AND ALEX
London-based womenswear brand April and Alex creates bold and edgy, fashion-forward pieces for the empowered woman. The label is the creation of British/Nigerian award-winning journalist and creative director Didi Akinyelure who was inspired by mother’s career as a fashion designer and grandmother’s success as the owner of a tailoring business. The brand launched in 2018 and offers striking garments for powerful and independent women. Its pieces are edgy, daring and innovative with standout designs including oversized puff sleeved tops and show-stopping dresses.
CONTACT: aprilandalex.co.uk
ISHA O. LUXURY
Founded by Nigerian designer Aisha Oladiran, Isha O. Luxury offers premium footwear that is both luxurious and comfortable. The collection includes four original designs, crafted in the highest quality Italian leather, in a range of different colourways. Expect animal print heels, jewel-toned Gladiator sandals and timeless slip-on flats. Each style also features a padded insole for extra comfort and long-wear.
CONTACT: E: sofia@blackpr.co.uk ishaoluxury.com