In a landscape where luxury and Blackness intersect, a new narrative is emerging. Black designers are crafting a vision of opulence that integrates Black culture with quiet luxury. This movement is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Black entrepreneurs who are redefining what luxury means within the Black diaspora.
Black designers opposing the notion of exclusion
Contrary to the outdated notion that Blackness and wealth are mutually exclusive, designers like Grace Wales Bonner and Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God are proving otherwise. Their designs are embraced by celebrities and individuals who appreciate the subtlety of luxury in their everyday lives. Quiet luxury, characterized by simplicity and understated elegance, is reimagined by these brands that prioritize craftsmanship and high-quality materials.
Spotlight on Black-owned brands redefining luxury
Ashya: Founded in 2017 by Ashley Leslie and Moya Annece, Ashya specializes in leather accessories that embody the spirit of travel and culture.
A-Cold-Wall: Samuel Ross established A-Cold-Wall in 2015, offering elevated streetwear that reflects societal issues and youth culture in Britain.
Brother Vellies: Aurora James’ brand, founded in 2013, brings traditional African design techniques to luxury footwear.
Bernard James: Since 2010, Bernard James has been creating fine jewelry that resonates with intimacy and nostalgia.
Bianca Saunders: The menswear brand, launched in 2017, challenges traditional gender norms through its innovative designs.
Connor McKnight: The eponymous label, started in 2020, blends workwear-inspired clothing with luxurious textiles, drawing from McKnight’s Washington, D.C., upbringing.
Fear of God: Jerry Lorenzo’s brand, founded in 2013, encompasses everything from athleisure to formalwear, defining modern luxury wear.
Khiry: Jameel Mohammed’s brand, Khiry, founded in 2016, crafts luxury jewelry that honors the Black diaspora.
Sunni Sunni: Sunni Dixon’s conceptual footwear brand, established in 2020, offers unique designs rooted in Black culture.
Wales Bonner: The British brand, created in 2014 by Grace Wales Bonner, draws from her Jamaican heritage and historical interests within the Black diaspora.
These brands are not just redefining quiet luxury; they are setting a new standard for what it means to wear, carry and embody luxury as a person of color. They are a celebration of culture, identity and the undeniable link between Blackness and opulence.
