By Anise Dudley, Briauna McKizzie, & Toriq Ahmed
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Last year, in the wake of racial justice initiatives, we saw an uprising of consumers supporting Black-owned and minority brands. Recognizing talent in the Black community, corporations started backing more and more Black businesses. Black-owned brands arenâ€
Continuing that legacy, more Black-owned brands than ever are showing up, continuing to establish themselves as contenders in the world of streetwear and fashion at large.
Within the SoleSavy community itself, weâ€
Behind every brand is a story. Weâ€
Carrots by Anwar – Anwar Carrots
After breaking away from his former brand Peas & Carrots, New Jersey-based designer Anwar Carrots established Carrots by Anwar in 2014. Anwar focuses his brand on improving the classics. Instead of reinventing the wheel, he takes iconic brands and makes them his own. Throughout the years, heâ€
Pyer Moss – Kerby Jean-Raymond
As a brand that has gained notoriety in recent years, the luxury streetwear label Pyer Moss salutes Black culture and relays strong political statements through each collection. Founder Kerby Jean-Raymond describes himself as an artist first who, at the tender age of 13, was dead set on becoming a footwear designer. The Brooklyn native later stumbled into fashion design and worked as an apprentice for Kay Unger. Throughout the seasons of his life, his passion for design never left, and he continued to perfect his craft. After Rihanna wore his camo leather jacket, he launched Pyer Moss in 2013. Since then, his work has graced many stages, red carpets, and galas, and he is now the Global Creative Director for Reebok.
MIDWEST KIDS – Darryl Brown
Darryl Brown launched his brand MIDWEST KIDS in 2019, after having previously worked as a railroad engineer and Kanye West’s head stylist. In part inspired by an incredibly varied work background, MIDWEST KIDS draws influence from established brands such as Leviâ€
Bricks & Wood – Kasey Lynch
Bricks & Wood is a South Central, Los Angeles-based apparel company with a key focus on storytelling through its manufacturing, design, & collaborations. Founded by Kacey Lynch, Bricks & Wood takes inspiration from the everyday walks of life within his hometown of South Central and the refined aesthetic of interior and industrial design. The brand has gained significant notoriety recently over an instantly sold-out New Balance 57/40 footwear and apparel collaboration with more reportedly in the works.
Wales Bonner – Grace Wales Bonner
Launched in 2014, shortly after graduating from the Central Saint Martins art school in London, England, Grace Wales Bonnerâ€
Brandon Blackwood New York – Brandon Blackwood
Young, Brooklyn-born designer Brandon Blackwood made his mark in the handbag industry by providing what he describes as “New York City luxury.†After graduating from Bard College with a degree in Neuroscientific Psychology, he took a risk and plunged straight into the fashion world by starting his first handbag line – the aptly named Brandon Blackwood New York – drawing inspiration from the women in his family. His goal is to create pieces that elevate the essence of a person. Each bag is composed of ethically sourced, such as vegan leather. He most recently made huge waves in the mainstream with the release of his “End Systematic Racism†collection, which flooded Instagram feeds in the fight against systematic oppression. His bags continue to sell out online and can now be found at select boutiques.