Sustainable Black-Owned Businesses to Support

Having seen so many wonderful black-owned businesses being highlighted last weekend on social media, for the first Black Pound Day, I have realised how much control we as consumers have over how and where we spend our money. We can and should choose to support those brands who are actively anti-racist and wave goodbye to those who are not. But more importantly, we should support the black-owned economy above all else, by using our power of the purse to make much-needed change.

Switching up our purchasing habits, we should actively purchase products from black-owned businesses, whether these are local or online, taking a solution-based approach. And we should encourage others to do the same, if we are to challenge the institutional racism alive in the UK today. 

So, here’s a list of sustainable black-owned businesses that I now know of and love, but please do share any fabulous businesses with me, in the comments or over on my Instagram, so I can keep adding to this list and learning. 

Homeware and Lifestyle 

Our Lovely Goods – Hand-crafted products, from skincare to candles, all made with the love of people and our planet in mind. Be sure to check out their online store and keep up to date with all things lovely on their social media.

Grain & Knot – Each piece of kitchenware is made from reclaimed timber and is beautifully hand-crafted, reflecting Sophie’s love of nature and the need for purpose in creation. Sophie’s online shop opens once a month, so make sure to keep updated over on her Instagram, where she posts her creations for all to lust over! 

Prick – London’s first cactus shop. Need I say any more? This store has the most amazing array of UK exotic plants as well as a fabulous range of ‘prick pots’ – pots created to fit their cacti and succulent’s perfectly. They also stock pots designs and crafted by local artists. As cacti are a long-lasting plant and easy-maintenance, investing in a cactus is a great way to add more greenery to your home. If you can’t visit their store in Hackney post-lockdown, they have an equally wonderful website and Instagram that I promise will fulfil all your cacti-owning dreams and more. 

La Basketry – If you’re searching to try a new craft, then look no further. Celebrating all things woven, La Basketry is a brand that inspires. Owner, Tabara’s passion for woven products and Senegalese craftsmanship radiates through the brand and she recently published her own stylish guide to basket making ‘baskets’, that features sixteen projects– enough to keep any aspiring weaver busy! Check out her newly launched basket kits to make your very own basket or alternatively peruse online their amazing selection of woven products, handmade by skilled artisans, and revel at the craftmanship.  Their insta is also worth a follow!

Touch of Vintage Home – An Esty shop of the finest quality! Who said vintage items should be limited to just clothing and accessories? Samantha has curated a wonderful selection of vintage pieces for your home, to help you make shopping for sustainable homeware stress free. Be sure to check the shop out, you never know what treasures you might find. 

The Kenyan Crafts Company – Beautiful handcrafted baskets, bags and dog collars weaved by local artisans in Kenya, from their heritage to our homes. Using only sustainable local resources, The Kenyan Crafts Company not only protect our planet but provide a sustainable means of income and empowerment for the artisans who produce them in Kenya. Each product is hand woven with love, in an array of vibrant colours and would make the perfect addition to any of our homes or a unique house-warming gift. Make sure to check out all the products on their website, and follow the making process over on Instagram.

Fashion 

Jakke – I have raved about this brand before, with very good reason! Jakke produce the most gorgeous, luxury outerwear, in all colours and designs, specialising in using sustainable faux fur. Their belief in creating outerwear that is seasonless reflects in their coats, which are timeless pieces. Make sure to follow them on Instagram to see the coats in action and why not have a browse of their online store?

Elizabeth An’Marie – Shelby Marie Fuller designs and handcrafts each individual garment. Just wow! The knitwear will certainly brighten your day, with each bright pastel knit as dreamy as the next. Watch this space on Insta, as the Elizabeth An’Marie website is currently under-going a re-brand, and I for one can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next! 

Selena’s Shop – If you know me, you’ll know I love wearing vintage clothing. Therefore, finding Selena’s Depop page recently was a real lock-down treat! Handpicking each garment herself, Selena has a real eye for unique and stylish garments from the 70s-90s. Make sure to check out these pieces, especially the prairie dresses – the perfect sustainable addition to your summer wardrobes. You won’t be disappointed. 

Kemi Telford – Empowering women through loud, bold prints. The garments speak for themselves and are truly show-stopping. Each garment is trans-seasonal and long-lasting, with vivid Nigerian prints grasping our attention and imagination. I’d seriously recommend checking out Kemi’s vast array of midi dress in her online store and on social media – I’ve been eyeing up the Omolade Pink & White Check dress for my (crisis post-poned) graduation! 

Sooki Sooki Vintage – Did someone say a stunning curation of 70s vintage pieces? Sooki Sooki Vintage never disappoints in having a fab array of garments and accessories in a variety of sizes. What’s more, their Instagram photo background – rose gold fringing – is definitely something everyone needs in their daily social media scroll! 

Flat Fifteen – Fran handmakes each of these cute bags in her London flat using remnant/ vintage fabric or fabric already in her archive. These bags would make the perfect addition to your ‘Sunday Best’ outfits, or any outfit in truth, and their unique shape will surely make you stand out amongst the crowd. Make sure to keep up to date with all her latest website drops over on Instagram.

Advertisement