From sparkling heirlooms to sustainable home goods, these options put a premium on quality and style
Black artisans and the businesses they own produce some seriously high-end products. And seeing how February is Black History Month, let’s all collectively celebrate and support these labels by making a purchase. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day gifts, birthdays presents, something for an anniversary, or you want to get a head start for 2024, the list below has it all.
From Brett Johnson’s covetable menswear to Saint Liberty’s delicious bourbon to Epara’s rich skin care products, the best gifts from black-owned brands will add more than a little luxury to your life.
Fear of God Oversized Ribbed Virgin Wool-Blend Hoodie
Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God revved up streetwear staples, taking styles like hoodies and sweats to new heights. His designs are a celebrity fan favourite, status symbols so sleek and elegant that they, more often than not, could be worn to formal functions.
Khiry + The Vanguard Mask 18-Karat Gold Diamond Bracelet
Khiry’s Jameel Mohammed brought a new vision to the world of fine jewellery, one rooted in Afro-futurism, collections that reflected his culture. And since launching his label in 2016, Kihiry is now one of the buzziest jewellery brands around, worn by celebs far and wide.
Edloe Finch Vegan Leather Park Sofa
Former NFL player Darryl Sharpton and his wife, Jessica, were discouraged by the long lead times customary of many furniture brands. So, wanting a change, they founded Edloe Finch, a direct-to-consumer label that offers a chic assortment of sofas, chairs, tables, and other home items that are shipped with a quick turnaround from a warehouse at their headquarters in Texas.
Ahluwalia Lateo Oversize Organic Cotton Camp Shirt. Photo by
Ahluwalia Lateo Oversize Organic Cotton Camp Shirt
Priya Ahluwalia is a London-based Indian-Nigerian designer that incorporates her heritage in her collections, all of which are made from vintage and deadstock fabrics to form fresh and rich styles that draw the eye. This camp shirt is a great example of her singular aesthetic.
Armando Cabral Majak Leather Sandal
Many know Armando Cabra as a runway heavyweight, a model who has walked the catwalks and fronted the campaigns of some of the biggest fashion brands. He brings all this experience to his eponymous footwear label, which offers some of the most elegant sandals, loafers, and mules in the market.
Loved01 Shave Essentials
John Legend is a man of many talents. He is an EGOT winner, after all. Now, the celebrated performer is trying his hand in the grooming space with the launch of Loved01, a new brand that creates creams, serums, and other products with “melanin skin in mind.”
Bianca Saunders Abstract-Print T-Shirt
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of proportions and prints, Bianca Saunder is the name to know. The designer references her Jamaican background to showcase collections that often surprise and delight the most jaded fashion insider.
Humanrace Humidifying Face Cream
Like Legend, Pharrell Williams is another music icon that has entered the grooming space. His brand, Humanrace, offers formulas that are meant to mimic the positive effects of a damp, moist environment to smooth and strengthen your skin.
Hood by Air Printed Drawstring Hoodie
Shayne Oliver’s Hood by Air was truly ahead of the curve, a brand that toyed with gender tropes and luxury streetwear before it became a thing—so much so that the brand shuttered in 2017. But now that everyone else has caught up to Oliver’s pioneering ethos, HBA is back, much to the delight of diehard fashion fans.
Saint Liberty Bourbon Gift Set
Saint Liberty, the Texas-based distillery behind a number of great bourbons and rye whiskeys, offers a literal taste of Black history with this trio of bottles dedicated to infamous bootleggers Mary Curley, Bertie Brown, and Josephine Doody. And the company isn’t just using their names: The rye named after Doody, for example, uses water from the same source—the Crystal River—as the original that inspired it.
Brett Johnson 5-Pocket Slim-Fit Jeans
Brett Johnson’s menswear is so well-made from such alluring materials that it’s very nearly peerless—and you feel that sense of quality as much in his casual clothing as you do in his finest tailoring. Case in point: These slim-fit jeans, a soft but structured style that should be a go-to in any well-curated warm-weather wardrobe.
Bevel Shave Kit
If you’re shopping for a guy who likes a clean shave—or for a young man who’s just learning how to tame his facial hair—Bevel’s shave kit is a great option. Its products and tools were designed to help curb ingrown hairs, an issue that’s especially prevalent for Black men, but that can affect anyone who shaves.
Coco & Breezy Manifest 57mm Navigator Sunglasses
Coco & Breezy’s bold and modern eyewear is not for the faint of heart—but they’re just as good at refreshing the classics as they are at pushing the boundaries of eyewear design. A great example is this pair of gold-tone sunglasses that features a generous shape that’ll flatter a variety of face shapes.
Scotch Porter Beard Gift Set
If you’ve got someone on your list who prefers to wear a full beard, Scotch Porter’s full beard-care set—which includes everything from shampoo and conditioner to a candle scented with warm spices—might be a better fit.
Chris Collins Renaissance Man Eau de Parfum
Chris Collins, the Ralph Lauren model turned entrepreneur and perfumer, knows a thing or two about being a renaissance man, which might explain why his fragrance of the same name is so uniquely adaptable. The freshness of its bright top notes (marine accord, bergamot, and ginger) is grounded by its long-lasting base notes (tonka bean, tobacco, and leather). It’s designed to smell great at all points of your day, and it delivers.
Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking
To write her James Beard Award-winning book The Jemima Code, journalist Toni Tipton-Martin studied two centuries’ worth of African American cookbooks to understand their impact on cooking in America. As a follow-up to that history, she has adapted recipes from that cache of cookbooks to create meals for the modern kitchen.
Epara Intense Hydrating Mask
If you want a good way to keep dry winter skin at bay, reach for Epara’s deeply moisturizing mask. It’s filled with plankton extract and marula oil, which help to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation as well as fine lines and wrinkles. It’s good all over your face, but in a study, the company found that 95 per cent of users thought it was particularly hydrating around the eyes.
Mateo Convertible 14-Karat Gold, Malachite, and Diamond Earrings
In the words of Robb Report‘s watches and jewellery editor Paige Reddinger, “You can’t go wrong with malachite studs, especially from Mateo.” Mateo, a New York jewellery studio, uses the brilliant stones to great effect, surrounding them with round diamonds and mounting them on 14-karat gold. They’re a modern heirloom that won’t go out of style.
Harwell Godfrey Moon Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli & 18-Karat Gold Charm
If you’re in the market for something even more striking, try one of Harwell Godfrey’s moon-shaped pendants. They’re offered in a variety of stone inlays (like mother of pearl and turquoise) that the studio makes to order. But if you know a glamorous eccentric who likes lapis lazuli, there’s a version with that inlay available to ship right now.
Goodee Bassi Market Tote
Few people know what makes a good bag better than Byron and Dexter Peart, who sold their first venture, Want Les Essentiels, in 2017. Their new business, Goodee, launched last year and offers consciously made home goods and accessories under their own label (as well as a variety of wares made by other brands). This market tote, made by refugees in Italy using handwoven fabric from Burkina Faso, supports artisans all over the world.
Linoto Belgian Linen Sheet Set
Belgian linen is known for its remarkable longevity—and for the way it gets softer with each successive wash. Linoto, a New York-based homewares company, sources long-staple flax fibres from European mills to craft its most luxurious bedding offering, which can be customised for everything from a shallow twin mattress to an extra-deep California King.
Brother Vellies Greg Shoe
Since launching the label in 2013, Aurora James has offered an incredible assortment of shoes that are as playful as they are practical. She initially just catered to women, but since the introduction of the Greg mule, men can now experience the style and comfort that’s integral to her brand, Brother Vellies.
Johanna Howard Dip-Dyed Throw
It’s hard to be a conscious consumer and still feel cozy under a blanket made out of materials that are bad for the planet. Johanna Howard’s dip-dyed throw, made from soft baby alpaca hair in a fair-trade certified textile studio in Peru, is a guilt-free way to get warm—and it comes in myriad color combinations, so you’ll be able to suit nearly any decor.
For Dirty Dogs Dog Shampoo
If there’s a pet lover in your life, they’ll no doubt appreciate the two shampoos from For Dirty Dogs. The conditioning shampoo will keep your dog’s skin clean and healthy at bath time, while the dry shampoo will help control oil and excess dirt between washings. Best of all, both products are formulated with natural ingredients that won’t irritate dogs with sensitive skin.
Harlem Candle Co. Icons Holiday Gift Box
There’s nothing that enhances a cozy atmosphere in the winter quite like a scented candle. Harlem Candle Co. has packaged its four best-selling candles, including a special holiday offering scented with winter spruce, in one convenient package.
Thelma West Embrace Bracelets
Looking for a gift that you can build on in the future? Try one of London-based jeweler Thelma West’s Embrace bracelets that features trapeze-shaped one-carat diamonds made from 24 grams of recycled 18-karat gold cut. They’re flexible thanks to an inner wire, so they can fit any wrist. And because they come in black-treated-, rose-, white- or yellow gold, you can gift one each year to create a stack for someone very special. At GBP 19,500 or approximately US$25,780, even one would make for a rather generous present and a serious statement about town.
Estelle Glassware Wine Glass Set
Inspired by her grandmother’s collection of brightly coloured glassware, Stephanie Summerson Hall offers modern updates on the originals she remembers from childhood through her South Carolina-based company Estelle. You could, of course, buy six wine glasses of the same striking colour, or you can create your own mix with this customisable set. Regardless of colour, the glasses’ angular shape should prove especially helpful for opening up bold reds.
Effortless Composition Pitcher
There’s nothing quite like serving homemade beverages to family and friends at a gathering, and Effortless Composition’s pitcher will add style to parties big and small. Consider it the ideal housewarming gift.
Trade Street Jam Co. Jams
For a gift that’ll leave a good taste in the mouth, try the delectable spreads and sauces from Trade Street Jam Co. This inventive food company’s low-sugar, high-impact offerings are a lot more memorable than what you’ll find at the grocery store, with flavors varying from blends of blueberry, lemon, and basil to strawberry, chipotle, and fig.
Black-Owned Market Subscription Box
Speaking of subscription services, the Black-Owned Market offers its own take of the gift that keeps on giving: monthly shipments that offer a sampling of its members’ wares, from Harlem Candle Co.’s luxurious scented candles to Scotch Porter’s beard conditioner.
