The UK’s fashion scene is making waves across the world and Black-owned brands are leading the way, from high fashion to streetwear. Here’s a rundown of just some of the standout Black-owned fashion brands making waves in Britain.
High Fashion:
When it comes to elegance and craftsmanship, these Black-owned labels bring the heat:
- Wales Bonner
Grace Wales Bonner MBE is a designer who specialises in high fashion clothing and footwear. Originally launched in 2014 as a menswear brand, she now caters to a unisex audience. She has managed to get plenty of accolades such as Mens Designer Of The Year (Awarded by the British Fashion Council) as well as the LVMH Prize. Her designers are recognised by high-society including FKA twigs, Meghan Markle, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna.
- Lisa Folawiyo
Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo’s hand-finished pieces incorporate traditional fabrics into luxurious must-haves. Her vibrant dresses and tailored sets are artisan-made, blending heritage with high-end style.
Streetwear:
For those who live in trainers and hoodies, these brands keep it real and fresh:
- Corteiz
Clint Ogbenna’s streetwear brand Corteiz, was birthed in 2017 in his London bedroom and now has the streets going crazy. With its Alcatraz logo and “Rule the World” ethos, it’s got a cult following, getting co-signs from Stormzy and Dave. The Corteiz & Nike collab sold out in mere seconds.
- Trapstar
Since 2006, founders Mikey, Lee, and Will have made Trapstar a staple item of clothing. In 2019 they won Best Streetwear Brand at the World Fashion Awards outdoing notable brands that were in that category such as Supreme, Palace and Stussy. Their camo jackets and graphic tees have been spotted on the likes of Central Cee, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky and put London on the map regarding streetwear.
Where to Cop?
We’ve linked to the website of all the brands in the relevant segments of this article; however in the case of Corteiz & Trapstar they regularly sell out meaning you may need to go onto sites such as Depop, Ebay or find a reseller to get certain designs and products.
