Black-owned brands that we love
As we continue to learn about how to tackle racism and support the Black community, we’re reminded that one of the best ways that we can help is by buying from Black-owned businesses.
Here are a few that we love featuring some of our amazing members.
HEX & GINGER
@hexandginger
Calling all stationery lovers, Hex & Ginger is an online store selling stylish products including desk accessories, planners, notebooks, and more.
Run by Chantelle, their functional range also includes a Gym Logbook perfect for tracking your workouts and keep ahead of your goals.
MORE THAN SWIM
@morethanswim_
Taking a stand against fast-fashion, founder and designer Sandra Palmer started lifestyle brand More than swim to offer unique handmade pieces that have been made the right way; ethically, ecologically, and sustainably.
Each design is inspired by nature and each piece is handmade in the UK, and the brand’s collection includes swimwear, beachwear, cover-ups, and bags.
HYPHEN LONDON
@hyphen_london
With a shared love for quotes, scriptures, and stationery, Hyphen London was founded in 2017 by friends Ibby and Ola.
The brand’s carefully curated collection of contemporary and stylish notebooks is designed to help you actualise your goals, pursue your passions, and live a life full of purpose.
HONEY BEE HOME
@honeybeehomeuk
Headed up by founder Melissa Reynolds-Lawrence, Birmingham-based boutique Honey Bee Home stocks a carefully curated collection of home accessories, ranging from plant pots to kitchen & dining accessories.
Whether you’re looking to update your living space or gift a loved one, Honey Bee Home have got you covered.
LYL
@lylofficial
After years of working in the corporate world and being unsatisfied with the selection of formal clothing available to women, Chierika Onyuku-Opukiri started LYL (Love Your Look) to offer better and more stylish alternatives.
For Chierika it was important to design pieces that empower women to love the way they look and feel comfortable and confident.
Built on ethical, sustainable, and slow fashion principles, LYL aims to become a 100% sustainable fashion brand by 2025.
MYND MAP
@myndmap
More than just a journal, MYnd Map’s MY Journal, can best be described as your one-stop-shop for all things personal development and goal planning. Based on founder Rosemary’s personal experience and journey, she has combined all the tools and techniques she learned into this one journal so that she can help you achieve your goals.
With a fun, creative, and colorful approach, the aim of the product is to inspire you to dream big, stay focused, and become more productive.
FREYA + BAILEY
@freyaandbailey
After developing stress-related acne and finding a solution to it, Abbie Oguntade, wanted to educate and share what she learned with others.
She launched Freya + Bailey to help protect our skin from the damaging impact of stress, air pollution, and everything else that our day-to-day life throws at it. From cleansers to serums, the extensive range of natural and vegan skincare products are both toxic-free, cruelty-free, and sustainable.
CHALK
@chalkjewellery
Founded in 2012, London-based design studio Chalk is run by architect Malaika Carr who handmake and creates unusual, geometric, and wearable jewellery. Ranging from statement earrings to necklaces.
Balancing her time as an architect and jewellery maker, Malaika’s collections are influenced by architectural elements, everyday objects, and bold colourful patterns.
DAR LEONE
@darleonelondon
Inspired by Sierra Leonean-American founder Isatu Funna’s travels around the world, London based boutique and design studio Dar Leone create and curate globally inspired pieces.
The carefully chosen collections of unique everyday items range from jewellery and bags to cushions and interiors objects. The Clerkenwell boutique is currently moving and from the end of June, you’ll be able to view and shop Dar Leone’s products in their new shop in Islington.
DWIRA
@DwiraWellbeing
After developing a reaction to a high-end skincare product, actress and qualified facialist Adwoa started researching the ingredients she was using and was horrified to discover the chemicals and fillers lurking in most high end and high street products and the long term side effects they have.
Believing in holistic wellbeing, she wanted to create a 100% natural superfood option that feeds the skin and the result is DWIRA (meaning ‘to purify and cleanse’ in Akan) made from Shea butter and Ghanaian oils.
MAGPIE ON THE RUN
@magpieontherun
Founded and curated by self-proclaimed jewellery Magpie, Nina Elegba, online store Magpie on the Run, handpicks covetable designs from a collection of UK and international independent jewellery labels with intriguing stories to tell.
Not being tied down to trends, Magpie on the Run focuses on showcasing timeless and interesting pieces by talented designers that jewellery fans can love and wear for years to come.
EBONYX - THE AFROCENTRIC MARKETPLACE
@findingevesroots
Ebonyx (a blend of Ebony and Onyx, and a reference to black vernacular, ebonics) is a marketplace dedicated to products that are Afrocentric in nature or inspired by Afrocentrism.
Struggling to find products made for people of African diaspora, Ashley and Lucan started Ebonyx in 2019 and their impressive marketplace boasts a large number of great brands across jewellery, clothing, beauty, homeware, arts & crafts and beyond.
Their aim is to further inclusivity, diversity, and collaboration for everyone regardless of their culture or background.
These are just a fraction of all the amazing Black-owned businesses in the UK.
We’d recommend checking out Jamii, a discovery platform founded by entrepreneur Khalia Ismain.
Jamii (which means ‘community’ in Swahili) has curated a range of over 150 independent black-owned brands in the UK, ranging from fashion to homeware.