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As Black History Month continues, we’re taking a moment to shine light on the Black-owned brands and businesses that have captured the fashion world’s interest. Labels from Diotima and Wales Bonner to Hanifa, Sunni Sunni, and more have grown exponentially over the years from their sharp aesthetics and business savvy—as well as putting their culture and heritage front and center. Check out some of the top brands we’re into!
Wales Bonner
Since 2014, Grace Wales Bonner has steadily grown her namesake brand Wales Bonner into a must-know label. The designer’s colorful menswear, which blends elements of classic tailoring and sportswear, has since expanded to include womenswear and editor-loved shoes and jewelry. Plus, she’s got plenty of sold-out Adidas collaborations under her belt—including popular artisanal takes on the sports giant’s Samba sneakers.
Wales Bonner SS ’21 (courtesy)
Diotima
Rachel Scott launched Diotima in 2021, rooted in her design education and Jamaican heritage. Since then, she’s become a fashion darling within the NYC industry. By the end of 2024, Scott earned the prestigious CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, as well as the CFDA and Frazier Family Foundation’s Empowered Vision Award—which included a $100,000 grant. Soon after, she showcased a striking, versatile Fall 2025 collection rooted in the power of speaking out, and became one of Time magazine’s “The Closers” list members that same month. It’s clear the industry is paying rapt attention to Scott’s rise—and her chic, rich designs, including intricately textured dresses, knit separates, and slick boots.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Rachel Scott (BFA.com)
Sunni Sunni
Sunni Sunni has broken into the footwear space with a commitment to dynamic style, genderless silhouettes, and a flair for the dramatic. Self-taught designer Sunni Dixon launched his namesake label in 2020, blending both sporty, subversive, and sophisticated aesthetics across his range of boots and mules—plus a new blucher design, which we got a sneak peek at during COTERIE New York. The brand’s square-toed Reese boot has particularly become its identifying signature over the years, owed to its slick 3-inch heels and vast range of colors and textures.
Sunni Sunni’s Reese boots (Courtesy of Sunni Sunni)
Brandon Blackwood
Brandon Blackwood always keeps us wanting more! Though the dynamic designer launched his brand in 2015, he rose to fame in 2020 with his “End Systemic Racism” tote, which raises proceeds for his namesake Brandon Blackwood Foundation. Today, he’s a top name to watch in the accessories space from his star-studded campaigns, drop-style launches, and handbag styles toted by stars including Beyoncé, Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Kerry Washington, and Tracee Ellis Ross. Plus, Blackwood’s known for incorporating customer feedback into his designs in real-time—proving the power of social media in brand operations. As for what’s next? His recently launched footwear and outerwear lines are continuing to grow, as well as his existing range of hit bags.
Brandon Blackwood
LYS Beauty
First launched in 2021, Tisha Thompson created LYS Beauty with a focus on loving, elevating, and caring for your skin with clean ingredients in mind. Rooted in her two decades of makeup artistry, Thompson’s high-performance products have made a distinct impact with formulas including organic turmeric, ashwagandha, pineapple, pomegranate, and more—plus a sleek, rosy aesthetic that’s impossible to resist. Several years later, LYS Beauty’s expanded with more categories, including skincare, eyelashes, lip treatments, and its own makeup brush line. Though there’s lots to love, the label’s glossy Speak Love lip balm, glitzy triangular eyeshadows, and multi-purpose foundation stick are all topping our wish lists right now!
LYS Beauty Speak Love lip balm (Courtesy of LYS Beauty)
Tia Adeola
Nigerian-born designer Tia Adeola began her brand in 2017—straight from her college dorm room! Known for her signature ruffled, sheer organza garments, Adeola has since dressed celebrities like SZA and Gigi Hadid. The designer’s Fall 2025 collection at New York Fashion Week paid homage to her Nigerian heritage, featuring vibrant colors and textures from feathers, shells, and beads. We’re especially crushing on her ruffled skirts and tops, too!
Tia Adeola Fall 2025
Brother Vellies
Launched by Aurora James in 2013, Brother Vellies has become a staple luxury accessories brand dedicated to cultural empowerment and personal freedom. James has particularly emphasized her label’s focus on preserving traditional African craftsmanship and sustainability, ensuring the brand’s stylish pieces also hold a deep social impact! In 2015, Brother Vellies notably won the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, elevating its prominence in the fashion industry—and leading to the launch of hit pieces like its Sailboat bag, Ronstadt boots, and Holly pumps.
Brother Vellies’ Mermaid Doodle Cowboy mules (Courtesy of Brother Vellies)
Sergio Hudson
Sergio Hudson, who founded his namesake brand in 2014, is celebrated for his impeccable tailoring and vibrant use of color. The designer gained significant attention during the 2021 U.S. presidential inauguration, when both Vice President Kamala Harris and former First Lady Michelle Obama wore his ensembles—and marked a pivotal moment in history. Hudson’s standout pieces include his shawl-collared blazers and belted trench coats in luxe velvets, which are quickly becoming wardrobe staples.
Veronica Webb, Sergio Hudson
Theophilio
Edvin Thompson launched Theophilio in 2016, rooted in his Jamaican heritage and immigration experience. Since then, he’s become known for his dynamic and subtly edgy silhouettes, ranging from sheer polos and crocheted dresses to vibrantly printed separates and swimwear. During his time leading his brand, Thompson’s notably received praise from the fashion industry, including his 2021 win for American Emerging Designer of the Year at the CFDA Awards.
Edvin Thompson (Courtesy of Theophilio)
Briogeo
Nancy Twine founded Briogeo in 2013, inspired by her late mother. The brand’s clean formulas and colorful, modern aesthetics have made it a top seller in the beauty space, along with its focus on natural ingredient-based hair care for all hair types. As Twine continues to expand her brand, she’s also innovating the beauty space with new products like her Style + Treat line’s sculpting crème, hair cream, and dry shampoo puff. However, Briogeo’s wide range includes a variety of award-winning faves, like its Mega Moisture Superfood hair mask, Mango + Cherry Balancing shampoo, and Almond Oil + Algae Super Moisture conditioner—which also look especially sleek in our vanity shelves and bathroom cabinets.
Briogeo (Courtesy of Briogeo)
Hanifa
Created by Anifa Mvuemba in 2011, Hanifa is known for bold, figure-flattering designs and its dynamic presentations. The brand made headlines in 2020 with its revolutionary virtual fashion show, highlighting its Pink Label Congo collection on ghost-like 3D digital models of all sizes. Hanifa’s standout pieces include her textured bags, cropped knits, and cutout dresses, which are all at the top of our wish lists!
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 16: The Hanifa “Dream” DC Fashion Show at National Portrait Gallery on November 16, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images for Hanifa)
Additional reporting by Preston Lyles.
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