December is finally here, and while it’s great being able to open my advent calendar and eat chocolate every day sans guilt, I’m officially panicking about my Christmas presents (or lack of).
While I may not know what to buy my loved ones yet, one thing I do know is that I’ll be supporting small businesses in 2021 – including those that are British and Black-owned.
READ MORE: All the Fashion Brands That Have Been Linked to Amazon Deforestation and What You Can Do About it
I know times are tougher than ever before, but if you’re able to buy gifts for your friends and family this year, I recommend following suit this festive season – and boy, are there some beautiful stores to buy from.
Whether you’re looking to buy handmade soy candles in the form of iconic sculptures or plan to splash out and buy a loved one an investment piece of jewellery, I’m sharing some of the best Black-owned brands I’ve come across this year.
Sante + Wade
Founded by Shola Asante and Agnès Cushnie (who we chatted to about all this season’s biggest shoe trends), Sante + Wade offer beautifully-designed and bold shoes in sizes EU 38 to 46.
It’s always difficult to find shoes if you’re a woman above a size 41, so it’s exciting to find a Black-owned brand that caters to larger feet and also has buckets of style.
Their high-heeled boots were made for walking!
Cro-che
London-based clothing brand cro-che is a playful, sexy and cute brand, with sustainability at its core.
Working with crochet to produce gorgeous dresses with a 60s feel, founder Tacita Brown is able to avoid unnecessary waste using this process as it only uses material needed.
She also sells gorgeous tie-dye pieces, with scrunchies for just £15.
READ MORE: 9 of the Best Gifts to Give to Women Who WFH
DorcasCreates
Dorcas Magbadelo is a UK-based black artist, who describes herself as ‘passionate about representing and uplifting Black people, specifically Black women through illustration’.
The self-taught illustrator’s designs are strongly influenced by her Nigerian heritage, visible in the prints, cards, stationery, jewellery, pins, t-shirts and tote bags she sells from Dorcas Creates.
From just £2.50, Dorcas’ creations are perfect for stocking fillers.
Kai Collective
If you haven’t yet heard of Kai Collective, where have you been?
I’m only kidding – if anything it’s even better, because now I get to tell you about them!
The brand was founded by Fisayo Longe, a Black British influencer who has since won a well-deserved place in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list.
Kai Collective is a fashion brand, which offers unique and bold designs. Their marble prints and pieces have been copied time and time again by fast fashion brands, but nothing compares to the real deal.
Chaos
When Zara customers began finding messages sewn into the lining of their clothes, Pariss Cozier was inspired to start her own sustainable clothing brand and Chaos was born.
Her gorgeous wrap blouses are a firm favourite of ours, while we can’t get enough of the Junie dress [above].
Working from her studio in Bristol, Pariss designs garments and works in partnership with the Saheli Women, a NGO community of female artisans, to make them.
They’re paid a fair living wage, while profits from collections are reinvested back into the community.
SIKA
SIKA is a make-to-order brand, founded in 2005 by creative director Phyllis Taylor.
All the garments are designed in London and handmade in Ghana by a garment production team, who are paid fair wages for their phenomenal skill. It’s clear to look at the designs that Taylor is heavily influenced by Ghanaian culture, with beautiful results.
Chelsea Bravo
Chelsea Bravo is a talented fashion designer, with a previous collection being shown at London Collections: Men and the brand also being invited to be a part of the British Fashion Council’s Emerging Designer Showrooms for two consecutive seasons.
Everything is designed and made-to-order from her Brooklyn-based studio in New York, keeping waste to a minimum and meaning Christmas shopping here really does mean you’re giving a gift made with love.
READ MORE: 7 Sustainable Christmas Gift Solutions for The Eco Conscious Woman in Your Life
Lisou
Lisou is a London-based fashion brand from former stylist Rene Macdonald, featuring beautiful silk pieces in bold and bright colours.
Fans of the brand include Clara Amfo, Haley Lu Richardson and Hillary Duff, and it’s easy to see why. Their silk face masks and ruffle headbands make perfect stocking fillers.
Okiki Skincare
Inspired by West Africa, Okiki is run by mother-daughter duo Ade Ogunsola and Antonia Ogunsola.
Creating the products from their home in Kent, the brand offers a variety of delicious products – including skincare, haircare and candles.
Their products are handmade from recipes used by their ancestors for generations and all ingredients are natural and organic.
Yala Jewellery
Yala Jewellery is an award-winning African jewellery brand from Audrey Migot-Adholla.
The jewellery is made only from eco-friendly materials and from makers who are paid fairly for their skill.
Audrey works with around 150 artisans in Kenya as well as Kenyan stylists, models and photographs to celebrate the country’s rich culture.
