11 Black-Owned British Fashion Brands To Discover Now

2 months ago

Talent from the Black British community to have on your radar

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Black designers are leading the way when it comes to new and exciting fashion, with voices that demand to be heard (and clothing that demands to be worn). Want to know about the Black British fashion brands making waves in the industry? These are the names to know now.

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Get In The Know: Black-Owned British Fashion Brands

Models coming together on runway after show

Duro Olowu

British fashion designer Duro Olowu is a name to know if you have a soft spot for maximalism and vibrant print. Duro, who was born in Nigeria, began a career in law before turning back to fashion – launching his womenswear label in 2004 to high praise. Expect a masterclass in colour blocking, print clashing and sleek tailoring.

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Man in turquoise denim co-ord walking runway

Bianca Saunders

Award-winning designer Bianca Saunders is known for playing on conventional boundaries, blurring the lines between tradition and modernity as well as masculinity and femininity. Bianca actively draws on her background, which spans both Britain and Jamaica, for each collection – creating a visual language that brings cross-cultural connections to the fore.

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Model in pink check frill dress stood in front of pink, yellow and green patterned background

Lisou

Stunning silk creations await at Lisou, which boasts a vividly colourful collection of suits, coats and dresses in a wash of fun patterns. The brand was founded by Rene Macdonald, a former stylist who spent much of her youth travelling between the UK and Africa to visit family. Rene designs all of her prints in-house, taking inspiration from her former home in Tanzania and her rich cultural heritage.

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Woman in orange dress lying down on floor

TOVE Studio

Founded by friends Camille Perry and Holly Wright in 2019, TOVE is known for its minimal aesthetic and emphasis on classic design. Pieces are made to be worn year after year, trendless in design but in no way lacking when it comes to style.

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Kemi Telford

Nigerian-born and raised Yvonne Modupe Telford moved to England in 1996, where she built a fashion business inspired by her heritage and the clothing she saw Nigerian women wear while growing up.

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Black woman sat down in front of cream fabric background

Maison Bent

Conscious-minded fashion label Maison Bent was founded by Central Saint Martins alumna Shanna Bent, who presented her first solo show with her brand in 2020 before bagging a regular spot at London Fashion Week. Bent, who specialises in luxury womenswear, has described her work as ‘combining vintage Caribbean aesthetics with modern glamour’.

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Farai London

For lovers of bold, bright colour, Farai London is quite the treasure trove. British designer Mary-Ann Msengi founded the brand with the goal of creating garments that are both adventurous and stylish. All of the brand’s pieces are designed in East London, but have quickly attracted an international audience spanning Kylie Jenner and Megan Thee Stallion.

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Casely-Hayford

Founded by father-son duo Joe and Charlie, Casely-Hayford is a London-based menswear brand known for its sleek design and classic silhouettes. Charlie founded the brand with his father, Joe Casely-Hayford OBE, when he was 22 and continues to lead at its helm today.

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Two black models, one sat on a chair and the other stood, in a neautral colour room with pattern carpets

Wales Bonner

Grace Wales Bonner is a young designer with an impressive resume. As the winner of the 2016 LVMH Young Designer winner, a Dior collaborator and Central St Martins lecturer, she’s been making some pretty big waves in recent years. Her brand, Wales Bonner, is known for its interweaving of European and Afro Atlantic characteristics, with an emphasis on earthy tones, funky patterns and attention to textural detailing.

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Model walking runway in zerba pattern dress

April & Alex

Statement garms are the norm at April & Alex, the London-based womenswear brand founded by award-winning journalist Didi Akin. The brand, which has kitted out the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Lucy Hale and Lyric Ross, was built on the principles of slow fashion and diversity – cultivating an aesthetic designed to empower its wearer using premium reclaimed fabrics.

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Tolu Coker AW24

Tolu Coker

Since her graduation from Central Saint Martins in 2018, British-Nigerian fashion designer and multi-disciplinary artist Tolu Coker has amassed a cult following – as well as a coveted spot on the London Fashion Week schedule. The designer’s work celebrates craftsmanship, community and empathy, with clothes highlighted as a vehicle for preserving cultures. Expect lots colour and pattern, highlighted by a joyful energy.

You can read more about Tolu and her work in our interview here.

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Featured image: April & Alex