Black Owned Business Spotlight - Fashion I
In support and solidarity of the Black Lives Matter movement, Studio SES will be launching a series spotlighting black owned businesses. On top of protesting, donating, petitioning, etc. - we can make a conscious effort to level the capitalist playing field in industries like beauty, fashion, food, literature & art. Fifteen percent of the population in the U.S. is black - it’s time that our economic statistics reflect that.
So, in backing the 15% pledge wholeheartedly…please find below black-founded & run fashion brands that EVERYONE needs in their homes & hearts ASAP.
Mateo
We are HUGE fans of Mateo at Studio SES. It’s our go-to brand for everything pearly & gorgeous. Founder Matthew Harris was born & raised in Montenegro, Jamaica. He arrived in NYC at the age of 16, and after years of school discovered that his true passion lived in jewelry design. Mateo was launched in 2009, first as solely men’s jewelry & later diving into women’s (thank goodness!). Harris is entirely self-taught.
MATEO 14K Gold Duo Pearl & Diamond Ring ($495)
MATEO Duality Pearl Drop Earrings ($575)
FENTY
The powerhouse that is Robyn Rihanna Fenty simply cannot be ignored. From Fenty Beauty to her recently launched, LVMH-backed clothing label FENTY - it has become a household name in makeup, lingerie, and likely soon - high fashion.
FENTY Turtleneck Knit Mini Dress ($960)
FENTY Date Night Pumps, Satin 115 ($690)
Kenneth Ize
Kenneth Ize is taking traditional Nigerian clothing & creating its own perspective of luxury production & high fashion. This brand is supported by small groups of weavers across Nigeria; they strongly support & nurture their country’s communities while uplifting their ideas & traditions into the world.
KENNETH IZE Yaba Long Fringed Coat ($1,570)
KENNETH IZE Okatu Checked Flared Trousers ($329)
Coco and Breezy Eyewear
Twins Corianna and Brianna Dotson founded their optical company in 2009. Their designs caught on quickly in the entertainment & fashion worlds - most notably worn by the late & great Prince. Doesn’t get more iconic than that.
COCO AND BREEZY EYEWEAR Amazonian-101($285)
COCO AND BREEZY EYEWEAR Baker-101 ($150)
Sindiso Khumalo
Sindiso Khumalo is a sustainable textile designer based in Cape Town. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, she founded her eponymous with the primary focus of creating beautiful, sustainable clothing on the foundation of African storytelling. Even more amazing? She designs all her textiles by hand.
SINDISO KHUMALO Casual Pants ($42)
DIARRABLU
Diarrablu is a high contemporary lifestyle brand founded by Diarra Bousso, focused on sustainability while simultaneously celebrating bright & beautiful African colors. Pattern & textile makers actually use math like geometry to create their unique prints. Love that!
DIARRABLU Zena Leer Pants ($125)
DIARRABLU IDYA Swimsuit ($85)
Daily Paper
Founded in 2012 by 3 childhood friends, this fashion & lifestyle brand is fueled by rich African culture wrapped in contemporary designs.
DAILY PAPER Orange Lilac Striped Hoxy Dress ($80)
DAILY PAPER Shibori Denim Hunt Skirt ($115)
DAILY PAPER Lavender Purple Hise Cap ($58)
Martine Rose
Martine Rose launched her eponymous label in 2007. Her designs are deeply inspired by her Jamaican-British heritage & deep involvement in the high/low cultures of London. Martine herself is also an in-demand fashion consultant across the industry.
MARTINE ROSE Ivory Aran Knit Bodysuit ($500)
MARTINE ROSE Brown Double-Breasted Bobby Blazer ($573)
Lisou
Lisou is a London-based fashion brand that specializes in silk pieces. Head designer Rene Macdonald moved to the UK at a young age after growing up in Tanzania - she frequently travels back and forth to see family, and to source inspiration for her beautiful designs.
LISOU Jade Metallic Blue Heart Jacquard Jumpsuit ($618)
LISOU Isla White Rainbow Print Voile Dress ($397)
Stella Jean
Haitian-Italian designer & former model Stella Jean first released her designs in 2011. A combination of pops of playful prints and patterns and modern global influences with traditional tailoring is what makes Stella Jean so special.
STELLA JEAN Cardigan with Bow ($234.50)
STELLA JEAN Mini Dress ($504)
Nude Barre
Erin Carpenter, founder & CEO of Nude Barre, is former dancer - professionally trained at Alvin Alley and collegiately educated. She often found herself immensely frustrated with the lack of proper hosiery shades for her skin tone. So she took matters into her own hands.
NUDE BARRE Mocha Footed Opaque Tights ($18)