For years, many people have been striving to own at least a piece of luxury brand item in their wardrobe.
To some, owning a luxury item means you “have made it”. Such people wouldn’t mind spending thousands of dollars to purchase a bag or blazer from Gucci or Prada just to prove that point.
However, most of these luxury brands make most of their money from African Americans and Africans; these are consumers they have at one point or the other been insensitive to.
From ‘monkeys’, ‘Nigga’, to ‘slavery’, these luxury brands have raised eyebrows with designs that have racist connotations.
They have released ads and items that have caused a stir in the media which made consumers raise major concerns on the way high fashion brands seem unperturbed about diversity and inclusion.
Many have spoken about and are actually boycotting such brands for those that tailor to their high fashion sense. People have opted for black-owned luxury brands that would give Burberry, Gucci, Prada and the likes a run for their money.
If you want to give yourself a much-deserved treat and indulge in some luxury items, take a look at these black-owned luxury brands.
Ozwald Boateng, Photo: Pinterest
Ozwald Boateng
The London-born designer gives traditional British tailoring a modern twist by infusing modern designs meant to augment the silhouette of its wearer. This high-end brand has, over three decades, impacted menswear fashion and has carved a niche for itself with its intrinsic use of colors and cuts.
Photo: Arise Fashion Week
Photo: Stylebase Africa
Kerby Jean-Raymond, Photo: The NY times
Pyer Moss
Sold in high-end boutiques the world over, Pyer Moss by Kerby Jean-Raymond makes collections that embrace the spirit of storytelling, activism, debate, theater and social commentary. He seeks to challenge the existing social narratives and evoke dialogues with his designs.
Photo: Fashion week online
Photo: Hello Beautiful
Laquan Smith, Photo: Long Island pulse
Laquan Smith
Smith’s designs pay particular attention to detail and his aesthetically distinctive garments have won many celebrities like Rihanna and Beyoncé over. He started his line at age 21 and credits his passion and skill for sewing to his grandmother.
Photo: Vogue
Photo: Vogue
Tsemaye Binite. Photo: CNN
Tsemaye Binite
Binite’s love for luxury and innovative designing can be seen in the way he makes clothing that caters to the needs of women. He is vested in making clothes that ‘combines functionality with high design content.’ The complex hidden details behind the simplicity of his designs will be appreciated by a woman who has a strong sense of self and will.
Photo: Mariam Adeyemi
Photo: Not just a label
Asheley(R) and Moya(L), Photo: Vogue
Ashya
Talk of bringing innovation and luxury branding to travel accessories, then Ashya is your brand. The co-founders, Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece, created their unisex travel accessories line in 2017.
Meant to bring versatility to the modern-day explorer, their designs fuse cultural stories into well-researched narratives that are meant to diversify cultural perspectives and emancipate its users.
“ASHYA is dedicated to creating well-crafted purposeful designs that unify luxury and utilitarian principles.”
Photo: Nylon
Photo: Vogue
