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Living in this day and age where inflation is on the rise it’s hard to shop affordably when everything is above the average price, especially clothing items. For some, it’s a challenge especially when people enjoy luxurious things. A lot of Black Americans desire affordable luxury clothing with nice quality without breaking the bank. Does that exist? Of course! Many designers worldwide have found ways to create luxurious apparel that people can enjoy. Let’s take a look at these affordable black-owned brands!
In 2017, After graduating from Royal College of Art with a master’s in menswear, British Jamaican designer Bianca Saunders decided to launch her London-based label, where gender has no fears as the brand explores masculine and feminine elements. Being raised by entrepreneurial parents with big dreams, Bianca had always been encouraged by them to pursue her creative abilities. At first, Bianca wanted to become an artist but after a long talk with her uncle who’s in the design industry, he pushed her to apply her creative abilities to something bigger. Her brand focuses on exploring the concept of body mapping with the male form through bespoke prints. The designs are heavily inspired by Bianca’s British Caribbean identity and the rich social tapestry of Anglo-Caribbean relations. Her brand thoroughly produces 2 collections a year while collaborating with smaller brands/designers. Bianca has won many prestigious awards including the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund (2024) while being featured on Forbes ‘30 under ‘30 list, and included on the BOF 500 list. What sets Bianca apart from many established designers? If Bianca can dream it, Bianca can do it!
A fashion brand with a serious message at heart, Denim Tears founded in 2019, by Designer Tremaine Emory has become hip-hop’s favorite fashion brand over the past year. Consigned by rappers like Kanye West and Lil Uzi, Denim Tears has the power (and qualifications) to blow up in the fashion world beyond means. Although Tremaine Emory has been all around the globe; born in Atlanta, raised in New York, and spent a small part of his life in the UK, it is his American roots that have influenced Denim Tears the most. The brand, as Tremaine has stated, was born in an effort to combat racism and oppression. Using a cotton wreath motif throughout every product, Emory intends to symbolize the strife of black people within the cotton trade and in America today. Denim Tears can be said to be a reflection of Black American culture in the US, as its moral message makes a fashion statement that is globally appreciated by many.
The man with the plan, Brooklyn-based designer and businessman, Mr. Brandon Blackwood is best known for his colorful mini tote bags with “End Systemic Racism” written across the front. Made during the Black Lives Matter buzz, this bag was the talk of the town (even seen worn by top-notch celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Winnie Harlow) . As the tote grew popular so did Blackwood’s brand (growing 50,000 percent from 2020 to 2021) and he began to sell many other bags. As much as the tote bags are his brand, Brandon does not plan on sticking to them forever, he’s ready to shift his design skills to many more luxury items. Brandon’s path to design actually didn’t start with that at all, as he was in school for neuroscience at Bard College. His parents were planning a different path for him until they realized at his graduation he was receiving his degree in American Studies not Neuroscience. On the side, Brandon was interning at Elle and Nylon magazines and after graduating found a job as a buyer. From there he would converse with many editors and stylists who encouraged him to pursue his desire as a bag designer. Now Blackwood sells between 6,000 and 8,000 bags a month, becoming one of the most desired black-owned luxury brands. How neat! Stay tuned as Brandon has many plans for his brand as he is about to launch luxe eyewear and shoes.
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