The black community has always made significant contributions in almost all industries. It has made a significant impact on all fronts, may it be politics, sports, or the fashion industry. Fashion is something which helps us express ourselves as well as our culture in the best way. Black-owned clothing brands have successfully emerged as significant players in the fashion industry shaping new trends. The representation of the black community in fields like fashion fosters a sense of communal pride as well. If you wish to know about the black-owned clothing brands that are leading the charge in fashion nowadays, this article is for you. It brings you a detailed list of the top 10 black-owned clothing brands in the USA.
Black-Owned and Founded Clothing Brands
1. Telfar: A Luxury Brand Owned By An Liberian- American
Telfar is a highly esteemed luxury brand that is owned by Telfar Clemens. The Liberian-American fashion designer was born in 1985 and established his own brand in 2005. The brand is famous for the production of its iconic shopping bags, which were first introduced in 2014. It combines various styles like streetwear and high-fashion. Telfar is also a brand of values promoting inclusivity in its designs.
The company is well established and can earn up to $7 million with a single product drop. It saw a significant growth of 17% and was considered the biggest brand of 2022. The high demand for its tote bags often crashes its official site. In 2023, Telfar bags were named the best-performing bags.
2. 4YE: A Brand That Explores Cultural Identity
4YE is another of the black-owned clothing brands founded by Jermaine and Trey Richards in 2018. The brothers are based in Toronto and founded the brand which is often considered an intersection between cultural identity and community. The unique designs of all their products are inspired by the duo’s original Jamaican heritage while also representing the impact of the Toronto-based Jamaican community. 4YE has various products like hoodies, durags, tank tops and so much more.
3. Renowned: A Brand That Endorses Black Culture
Renowned is another one of the top black-owned clothing brands in the USA, which is based in Los Angeles. John Wesley Dean II is the founder as well as the creative director of the clothing brand. The brand was established with an objective to tell stories relatable to those who are following their dreams. Renowned focuses on inspiring people who are working their way toward their goals while also endorsing black culture. The design of all the products uses motifs that actively challenge the notion of the American Dream.
4. MejiMeji: A Brand Representing Both Nigerian And Black American Cultures
MejiMeji also falls under the umbrella of some of the most significant black-owned clothing brands. The brand name means double in Yoruba. Tolu Oye, who is a Nigerian-American designer, founded the brand in 2020. The main focus of the brand is reflecting the duality of Nigerian and Black American cultures. Various elements like imagery, as well as language, inspire the designs of the products. The brand continues its operations to change the general narrative of African stories from those outside the diaspora.
5. Roam Loud: A Brand Combining Black Culture With Bold Colors
Roam Loud is also a black-owned clothing brand in the USA that is famous for combining bold colors and styles with authentic black culture. Toyin Omisore founded the brand in 2020. It sells premium and luxurious activewear. Roam Loud operates to empower women and give a boost to their self-confidence. The designs of the brand are selected carefully to complement melanated skin. The “Favorite Things” list from Oprah featured Roam Loud in the year 2023.
6. Zoezi Sport: Brand Offering High Quality With Afrocentric Styles
Zoezi Sport is another one of the brands having black owners based in California. Yvonne Bulimo founded the brand. The brand name means fitness in Swahili. It is famous for selling premium quality, stylish, as well as versatile activewear. It has Kenyan roots and operates with the objective of offering high quality with Afrocentric styling. Zeozi Sport is globally available for women. Additionally, Women’s Health featured it as one of the top black-owned clothing brands to shop from.
7. Actively Black: Brand Founded By Basketball Player Lanny Smith
Actively Black is also one of the most popular black-owned clothing brands actively endorsing the black culture. Lanny Smith, the legendary black basketball player, founded the brand in 2020. Actively Black is famous for its athleisure wear. The brand focuses on increasing black representation as well as investment in the fashion industry. It designed the opening ceremony as well as the closing and award ceremony outfits for the Nigerian team at the Paris Olympics. It got the credits for designing the athlete uniforms for the team.
8. Blackstock & Weber: Brand Offering High-Quality Wardrobe For Men
Blackstock & Weber is a brand that is famous in both clothing as well as the footwear industry. It is based in Brooklyn. Chris Echevarria founded the brand in the year 2017 and is a trained menswear designer. The brand focuses on creating premium-looking wardrobes for men. They have a wide range of products that includes various products like loafers, puffer jackets, duffle coats, footwear, and so much more.
9. Free The Youth: Brand Empowering African Youth
Free The Youth is a rapidly developing fashion brand. It once started as a social media page established to empower African youth and later gained a fair share of popularity. Jonathan Coffie, Winfred Mensah, Richard Kweku Ormano, and Kelly Folu established the brand in 2013. The brand focuses on endorsing Ghanaian street style and building a community for the African Youth with the help of fashion.
10. Fitness Snob
Fitness Snob is another one of the top black woman-owned brands gaining popularity these days. Kimberly Turner is the founder as well as the president of the brand. It focuses on producing crew socks that are suitable for various fitness activities. Turner created the brand with the objective of not being judgmental of others and creating a unique fitness lifestyle instead.
