Black-Owned Sustainable + Ethical Clothing Brands

“Buying Black isn’t just a purchase, it’s an investment. Every time you make a transaction, whether on or offline, you’re voting with your dollar and funding/contributing to the growth of that business or corporation.⁠

In the same vein, when you make the conscious decision to stay away from funding particular businesses or corporations, you contribute to stunting the growth and reach of that business or corporation. You matter and your choices matter, so choose wisely.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, thank you BLK+GRN for your powerful words.

One of the ways influencers can fight racism and drive long term change (you can read that blog post here), is to buy from more Black-owned businesses and share those brands organically with their communities. A recent favorite purchase of mine is this stunning dress from Gracemade (more on them below). I look forward to exploring/supporting more BIPOC-owned brands in the future!

Information on the brands below comes directly from the brand’s own site. Please send me any brands I may have missed. I’d love to continually grow this resource. Happy shopping!

Chelsea Bravo

Chelsea Bravo’s collections feature both womenswear and menswear, creatively infusing an artistic hand combined with simple and free shapes through a contemporary silhouette. Pieces are sampled and made-to-order in-house. The brand and designer is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Shop here.

Image c/o Chelsea Bravo

Hope for Flowers

Through hard work, perseverance and creative vision, Tracy Reese has built a reputation in the fashion industry as not only a leading talent, but a champion for diversity and inclusion. The collection is designed and produced following the 3 guiding principles of sustainability: the health of people, planet, and equity in profit. Hope for Flowers begins this journey embracing responsible practices. Tracy plans for the brand to grow in sustainability with each collection. Shop here.

Image c/o Hope for Flowers

Aliya Wanek

Founded in 2016, Aliya Wanek is an eponymous womenswear label that focuses on exploring the connection between one’s identity and style. Our mission is to create comfortable, stylish clothing ethically and sustainably as an extension of the wearer’s individuality. If not sewing the garments herself, Aliya works with a production sewer and other local contractors in the Bay Area to produce and dye her garments, always taking into consideration ways to reduce the brand’s environmental impact. Shop here.

Image c/o Aliya Wanek

Gracemade

Gracemade is a faith-driven lifestyle brand that delivers a fashion-forward interpretation of modest apparel. Each Gracemade piece is designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, using ethical standards with the utmost respect for people, our local community, and our environment. In addition to producing locally, we aim to impact lives through our commitment to give back: with every Gracemade purchase, we donate a portion of the proceeds to charity. Shop here.

Image c/o Gracemade

Two Days Off

Two Days Off is a sustainable line of thoughtful pieces by Gina Stovall. Each piece is made in Los Angeles either to order or in limited edition batches. We believe that a good wardrobe should be simple, conscious, and have enough ease for everyday life. For us, ease is not only about how you feel in our clothes. It is also the ease of mind that garment on your back is not at the cost of someone else’s welfare whether that be directly though our production practices or indirectly through our environmental impact. Shop here.

Image c/o Two Days Off

Jade Swim

Jade Swim is different, unique, meaningful. Simple but more than basic. The right cut of jade brings out beauty. It’s classic with an edge. This sustainable swimwear brand by former fashion editor & stylist Brittany Kozerski combines her minimalist aesthetic with innovative silhouettes and unique design details. The collection is carefully crafted from luxe fabric to smooth and sculpt the body. Designed with multifunctional versatility in mind, these styles can be worn from day to night, from beach to city, as swim or ready-to-wear. Shop here. 

Image c/o Jade Swim

Brother Vellies

Brother Vellies is committed to honoring the people who make our products and the places where they are made. At our core, you will find vegetable-tanned leathers, soling from recycled tires, hand carved wood, floral dyed feathers along with a collection of other by-product materials sourced from farmers across the globe. We strive to lessen the impact of our production practices by continuing to ask questions and make changes each season. The Brother Vellies collection is produced across the globe – South Africa, Kenya, Mexico Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Italy, Haiti and at home in New York City. Shop here. 

Image c/o Brother Vellies

Chaos & Colour

Everything is designed in Bristol and handcrafted in Bihkamkor, India. We work in partnership with the Saheli Women, a NGO community of female artisans. The women are trained in the art of garment making, given economic independence, a fair living wage and sustainable livelihood to support their families. Profits made from collections are reinvested back into the community, establishing the first health centre in the village and funding the education of over 80 girls from the village and surrounding farms. Shop here. 

Image c/o Chaos & Colour

Please share any brands I may have missed in the comments. I would love to add more Black-owned sustainable/ethical brands to this resource.