Diversity in the world of fashion has been a longstanding concern. Not only diversity with who’s wearing the fashion but who’s designing, who’s styling, and who’s photographing. The fashion industry has changed over the years and we are starting to see more people of color in high fashion spaces. Today, some brands will show their advocacy to diversity in the workplace by claiming the concept of “ DEI ”, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.
This concept was created to show representation in the industry, especially in sustainable fashion, an industry that is made up of different people from all walks of life. With that being said, let’s take a look at a few black owned fashion brands that are making their way to the top and inspiring people of color to live out their fashion dreams.
House of Aama
House of Aama was created in 2015 in Los Angeles, California by mother and daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka. Through historical research and storytelling of the Black experience, “House of Aama aims to evoke dialogue, social commentary around heritage, remembrance and shed light on nuanced histories”. Pieces from their latest collection , SALT WATER SS22 was featured in Allure magazine featuring Chlöe Bailey.
Megan Renee
Megan Renee was founded by Megan Smith. Smith is also based in Los Angeles, California. Megan Renee was part of the Black In Fashion Council showroom during fashion week fall 2022 alongside House of Aama, A.Potts and other emerging Black Fashion designers. Smith has a passion for sustainability, especially after working for label brands where Smith saw first hand how much waste goes in and out of the industry. Shop her latest collection “Higher Ground” here.
Who Decides War
You might have heard of Who Decides War created by designer Everard Best. The brand name and brand itself was created to acknowledge worldly issues and the human experience. Best started out as a designer specializing in denim wear and has now escalated his brand to what we know now as Who Decides War. It’s more than denim, it’s more than streetwear. It’s wearable art that speaks the truth of the people. Who Decides War will be hosting a fashion show at Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2023 in New York this September.
Khiry
Labeled an Afro Futuristic Luxury brand, Khiry was founded in 2016 by Jameel Mohammed. Mohammed’s venture with Khiry was birthed out of two desires. The first, was to prove to those who have doubted the ability of luxury brands built outside of Europe. The second was his desire to create a fashion house that breathes “modern beauty, art and heritage of the African Diaspora”. Khiry is a sculptural demi-fine jewelry line rendering gold vermeil, 925 sterling silver, and semi-precious stones.
