55 DOPE Black Sustainable Fashion Designers That Are The True Vanguards Of The “Ethical” Movement
Three years ago for International Women’s Appreciation Month, we highlighted “47 Badass Women of Color Influencers Unapologetically Changing the Landscape of Sustainable Fashion” for the largest roundup of BIPOC change agents in the ethical fashion space. We are finally back for another historical roundup! This year to kick off September Fashion Month - we are sharing 55 Black fashion designers and craftsman phenoms who deserve to be recognized, honored and supported!
For many years now, BIPOC/ WOC roundups (often narrated by white women) had only a small percentage of Black designers and often times repurposing the same 4 - 5 well known brands. And as much as we love accessories (perhaps even more than clothing garments), Black designers featured in these round-ups often focused on handbag, hat and jewelry brands. (Although we couldn’t resist featuring just two accessory brands due to their powerful design innovation). THERE ARE TOO MANY AMAZING BLACK SUSTAINABLE FASHION (GARMENT) DESIGNERS THAT NEED TO BE CELEBRATED! Mainstream sustainable fashion brands and discourse have preserved white views and power through appropriation and intentional motives of Black invisibility. So for the past five years - MelaninASS has bookmarked the work of over 50 Black designers to share NOT during Black History Month or even Earth Month. We were intentional about sharing this feature for September’s Fashion Month to honor these richly melanated artists who deserve to be recognized during a time when “trends” are created, lack of diversity is debated and ethical standards are increasingly becoming topics of discussion.
Black designers spanning the globe have been Vanguards in style, innovation and regenerative production as stewards of environmental, social and cultural justice. These designers represent the diasporic spectrum where sustainability is a hybrid of technology and art for fashion-forward solutions. With designs ranging from repurposed “trash” and plant-based fibers to independent and ethical manufacturing, check out these 55 incredible design engineers:
Founded in 2016, ALIYA WANEK is an eponymous womenswear label that focuses on exploring the connection between one’s identity and style. Their mission is to create comfortable, stylish clothing ethically and sustainably as an extension of the wearer’s individuality. If not sewing the garments herself, Aliya works with a production sewer and other local contractors in the Bay Area to produce and dye her garments, always taking into consideration ways to reduce the brand’s environmental impact.
Founder Gionna Nicole launched Avid Swim with the goal of creating luxury swimsuits that never sacrifice style. The brand only works with factories that use eco-friendly fabrics and low-impact dyes. Every suit is designed in-house in order to keep its carbon footprint to a minimum and comes with a durable, reusable swim bag to store the swimwear in and to help keep plastics out of our oceans.
The Bombchel Factory is the ethical African fashion wonderland of your dreams.They make contemporary outfits using authentic, bold African prints that are purchased locally in West Africa. Their little sewing factory, located in the heart of Monrovia, Liberia, has a big mission: to teach an all-woman staff of Ebola survivors, rape victims and the deaf. Bombchel’s commitment is to improve their lives by helping them to become self-sufficient through skill-training and education.
Hand-dyed and produced locally in L.A., Comeback as a Flower is a loungewear brand specializing in 100% recycled cotton tie-dye co-ords
Gracemade is a faith-driven lifestyle brand that delivers a fashion-forward interpretation of modest apparel. Established in 2016, the brand was created by founder Jasmine Rennie as a means for women to express their personal style while honoring their faith. We believe that there is nothing more liberating than unapologetically glorifying God in every aspect of our lives – and that includes our clothing, the message it sends, and its impact on our global community. They incorporate deadstock fabric into the majority of their collections while recycling or reselling leftover textiles.
Hope for Flowers believes that by incorporating positive, social and ecological practices into sourcing and operating structures, they can imbue our products with greater substance and offer our customers an opportunity to be a part of doing good while looking good.
Huri is a Sustainable Afrocentric Fashion brand that supports elements of empowerment and sustainability through a cultural perspective. Our definition of ‘empowerment’ is rooted in celebrating our individuality and appreciation of those around us. Within sustainability, we noticed a lack of representation, active inclusion and leadership from BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Overall, our aim is to bring the great work that marginalized communities do within the Sustainability sector into the spotlight.
(accessories) Jo-Anne Vernay is the only accessory brand featured for it’s … is on a misson to merge sustainability with style through our luxury vegan footwear made from fruit. Our pineapple leaf fibre shoes are designed to cater to you and the planet, made from highly biodegradable fabrics that aren't pumped with polyurethane. Our founder Dyandra Raye is driven by her family roots, using our name to pay homage to her inspirational mother Jo-Anne and supportive late aunt Vernay. Ethically manufactured, uniquely designed, and crafted by Italian artisans, our "slow fashion, female & black owned, sustainable shoe line" is designed to help you live life in style, consciously.
Lemlem is an artisan-driven collection of women’s, men’s, children’s and home goods made entirely in Africa. Supermodel Liya Kebede was inspired to launch the brand following a trip to her native Ethiopia where she met a group of traditional weavers who no longer had a market for their craft. Meaning to bloom and flourish in the Ethiopian language of Amharic, lemlem is committed to elevating artisanship and expanding production and jobs across Africa. The core collection is handwoven from natural cotton in Ethiopia and lemlem is steadily expanding partnerships with additional artisan groups across Africa. Women are at the heart of lemlem and the brand is committed to helping them thrive both within its workshops and beyond through its support for lemlem Foundation.
MAKOMA THE BRAND is a lifestyle designed from African diaspora. Global fashion fusion lifestyle with African inspiration. The goal is to create one-of-a-kind, contemporary designs using a combination of African prints and classic silhouettes. The highest-quality craftsmanship and authentic styles that are comfortable. All ethically made, and you can only find them on this site or at our once-a-month pop-up shops.
Cosmically crafted textiles Christi works mostly with textiles - embroidery, natural dyes, and patchwork, but have been known to get down with some twigs, wood, and other natural materials.
Nia Thomas is an independent ethically made fashion brand founded in 2018. Created for all beings who respect Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. Collection after collection the goal remains the same: We stand for love in its highest form. More connection, affection, and vulnerability in this lifetime. Going back to our roots and primal ways of being through how we get dressed.
Nichole is an entrepreneur and industry innovator as her brand Pnky aims to set a higher sustainable and ethical standard by intentionally designing clothing made from recycled excess scrap fabric and produce in New York City and New Jersey to ensure quality and ethical conditions for garment workers. The brand name Pnky, aka “Pinky,” pays homage to her nickname and creative personality growing up. The company slogan, “Effortlessly Intentional,” represents how Nichole describes her personal style and Pnky’s designs: classic styles, timeless silhouettes, made to last.
Reign is a brand that narrates African culture reimagined with traces of Eastern and Western influences. We’ve continued to explore various aesthetics and dedicate our work to the fashion industry since. We’ve always enjoyed attending art galleries, fashion shows, functions and events. We actively enrol in fashion learning programs to be mentored as well as mentor and inspire like minds by engaging in tutorials and workshops to further our knowledge and that of those around us.
Sindiso Khumalo is a sustainable textile designer based in Cape Town. Central St Martins graduate, Khumalo, studied architecture at the University of Cape Town prior to moving to London, where she went onto study a Masters in Design for Textile Futures. Sindiso Khumalo founded her eponymous label with a focus on creating modern sustainable textiles with a strong emphasis on African story telling. She designs the textiles in her collections by hand through watercolours and collage. Over the years she has developed a uniquely colourful visual voice, which draws upon her Zulu and Ndebele heritage, and also speaks to the land of Kwazulu Natal, where she is from. Sustainability, craft and empowerment lie at the heart of the label. She works very closely with a NGO’s in developing handmade textiles for her collections.
Stella Jean is a self-taught Italian-Haitian designer. Her desire has ben to make timeless ethically sound clothes by helping the less advantaged women in the world.
Taylor Jay designs with the idea of elevated comfort. They believe in fashion that can effortlessly transform and adapt to every woman’s needs, challenges, style, and desires. They partner with an ethically sourced, fair labor practicing factory in Oakland, CA to produce environmentally safe garments from certified eco-friendly textiles. They recycle and upcycle threads and use tints that are safe for humans and environment.
This slow-fashion activewear brand makes on-demand pieces from recycled and plant-based materials in the USA. Inclusively made for all sizes ranging from XS-5XL, each piece is consciously manufactured and mindfully shipped using only recycled packaging materials.
This brand’s bikinis are created from 100% recycled material, 100% recycled yarn, and use 75% less energy to be created. They are sand resistant, incredibly soft, retain their shape and have ultraviolet ray protection built in. Made in the US, this brand happily caters to bra cup sizes A - H!
Made to order, digitally printed and shipped directly from the factory, this brand creates vibrant clothing! Resonance, their parent company, owns its factory in the Dominican Republic where 100% of raw materials are processed, and every garment is digitally printed and laser cut. 95% of our garments are sewn in the Dominican Republic;
the other 5% are sewn in New York. They are on track to open up a carbon and water-neutral factory in the United States. 100% of factory employees, including operators, are paid above the Industrial Sector living wage for the Zona Franca and they do not employ minors.
Based in Brooklyn, NY, Chelsea Bravo plays with the modern concept of the silhouette, experimenting with simple and free shapes. Her unisex collections feature practical yet stylish designs including oversized jumpsuits, summer dresses and culottes. Their collection features fibers such as Hemp, Organic Cotton, and utilizes dead-stock fabrics - designer factory waste. We are proud to be an advocate for the use of natural and biodegradable materials within our collections and have been doing so for the last five years. All fabrics are sourced in the USA and our collections are produced made to order or in small batches in New York.
Dynasty George is a sustainably sourced and ethically made women’s wear brand. This Whimsical brand creates romantic timeless sustainable and maternity friendly dresses with skilled artisans.
Sustainably sourced with socially conscious style, Grant Blvd is women led apparel brand committed to creating pathways to self-sufficient living for Black & brown people who’ve been incarcerated.
Manufactured 100% in Los Angeles, California. House of Aama is not just another clothing business. House of Aama is the spiritual expression of mother and daughter design duo, Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka in material form. House of Aama explores the folkways of the Black experience by designing timeless garments with nostalgic references informed by historical research, archival analysis, and storytelling. We aim to evoke dialogue, social commentary and conversations around heritage, remembrance and shed light on nuanced histories.House of Aama presents its fashion items as an offering for raw, primal energy to exist in physical form.
Idia'Dega is a global eco-design collaboration connecting Indigenous artisans to co-design and develop contemporary apparel.
His work has contributed to exploring meaningful applications of technology in fashion including award-winning inclusive design for disability for Parson's research nonprofit, Open Style Lab, Fashion Week in Tokyo, and augmented reality showcased at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, he produces his inaugural collections from his studio in the New York City Garment District. Outside of his brand, Johnathan employs his skills in animation, illustration, and interaction design for instructional textbooks and creative direction for brands and presentations.
Lisou is a London-based fashion brand specialising in beautiful silk pieces with a twist. The Lisou collection is full of wearable, classic shapes with a modern twist and are made from the finest silks. All prints are designed in-house by Rene, which makes every Lisou print exclusive. One of our core beliefs is to make a positive global impact; to that end we donate the proceeds from one piece per collection directly to helping young Africans with medical and educational needs. In addition to this, we run an annual initiative in partnership with local schools supporting creative arts in our local community. We believe in quality above all else, and a return to the days of slow fashion and treasure box investment pieces. All our products are designed in London, finished in Portugal, and delivered directly to you.
Míe is a lifestyle brand that provides design and fashion consciously made to be nature-friendly. Our focus is on resort wear, made with natural and biodegradable fabrics, that are breathable, elegant and functional, for conscious women and all women with refined taste. All our clothes are locally made by seamstresses and artisans here in Lagos, Nigeria where we are based. Launched in 2018, our goal has been to make feel-good fashion with perks of sustainability, and we continue to seek ways to improve our design and production processes such that our products meet people’s needs without jeopardizing the environment and compromising the future.
Mother, Breast Cancer Survivor, and believer in women. Nichole started mrs. jones out of necessity. Unable to find clothes that were sustainable, colorful, high quality and easy to wear but also made a statement, Nichole used her apparel production background and started designing dresses that she would want to wear. After being stopped on the street daily by other women and asked, "where did you get that?" she decided to create capsule collections. Each mrs.jones piece is made in NYC by a WOC woman-run owned factory, and the materials she sources are high-end designer leftover remnants to help close the circle on fabric waste. mrs.jones has one singular mission, to make our best make you feel and look your best.
A ready-to-wear clothing made with recycled content, creating a new perspective on streetwear. Hand-made garments, made with ethically produced fabrics. All made following ethical and fair-trade standards.
Printed •Pattern• People is an exploration of cultures by way of fashion. We seek out textiles rich in color, print, pattern and texture from artisans around the globe, to incorporate into our line and to showcase the handmade work and love of these cultures in our pieces. We aim to authentically share this narrative as we journey along and hope to bring back the natural craftsmanship and art found in carefully considered clothing.
Remuse is a Melbourne based clothing label that fuses artisan techniques with earth inspired narratives.Founder Tamara Leacock is a designer that believes exploring the cosmic beyond has informed the designing, silhouettes and colors in her collections.
Originally from Papua New Guinea and Australia, founder and designer Eleanor O'Connell graduated from Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia, with a degree in Costume Design. Since then, Eleanor has worked as a Costume Designer, Wardrobe Coordinator, Stylist, Milliner, and Maker before starting her own brand. Over the years, having worked closely with many different body types, it became glaringly obvious to Eleanor that there was need for a space dedicated to classic and comfortable looks for every body in a wide variety of colours; a label that is sustainable, ethical and free of fashion seasons and forecasting.
Studio One Eighty Nine co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, is an artisan produced fashion lifestyle brand and social enterprise that has recently won the prestigious CFDA Lexus Fashion Initiative for Sustainability. The brand is made in Africa and produces African and African-inspired content and clothing.
Made-to-order capsule clothing crafted out of deadstock fabric in Los Angeles. The clothes are minimalist, drapey, and arty — what I imagine an art gallery owner would wear. Founded by Natalie Harris, who makes all the garments herself. She’s currently hit capacity, but check back in July.
WE ARE KIN is an emerging sustainable label founded by Ngoni Chikwenengere. We are focused on creating pieces with.a sense of sartorial refinement, aided by strong silhouettes, clean lines and statement pieces that will elevate any closet.
Autumn Adeigbo designs colorful, fashion-forward clothing for women who like to stand out in a crowd. As a proud, black female business owner, Autumn is devoted to positively impacting the lives of women across cultures by utilizing female-owned production facilities in the U.S., and providing global artisans with meaningful employment and fair wages. From sourcing to delivery, Autumn embraces sustainable practices by purchasing in limited quantity and producing only what is ordered, minimizing fabric waste, excessive manufacturing, and surplus stock. Which means, her collections are eco-friendly and exclusive.
Black Borders is owned and operated by Marion Maynor. After witnessing a lack of representation and accessibility in the sustainable fashion market, Marion decided it was time to support the position of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities by designing with their bodies in mind, campaigning using their beauty as a vehicle for change, and collaborating to heighten creative sensibilities.Through customizable designs, flexible payment options and thoughtful craftsmanship, they aren’t just serving attitude, they’re serving you.
African born and Melbourne raised, their label is a harmonious marriage between our two cultures, the chic deconstructed but restrained silhouettes of Melbourne and the wild, untamed, and deregulated aesthetics of modern African fashion drawing inspiration from the city of Nairobi where a new African fashion renaissance is fast emerging.
(accessories) FATRA handbags embody ethical fashion futurism - infusing repurposed plastic containers such as laundry detergent, coffee, and cookie containers as the body of every bag. FATRA wants to reintroduce waste back into the production process, in order to cut down on the pollution of plastic and textile pollution.
Hamaji is created around preserving ancient textile traditions and Nomadic craftsmanship while empowering and supporting local small scale artisans in Africa. Hamaji; meaning Nomad in coastal Swahili is an African designer collection created around preserving ancient textile traditions and nomadic craftsmanship whilst empowering local small scale artisans in Africa. Reigning from the East coast of Africa, Hamaji was born in Kenya in 2017 by designer Louise Sommerlatte. Creating a narrative of sustainability and conscious consumerism their collections are made up of natural fibres, botanical dyes, hand craft, embroidery and up-cycled collected vintage textiles. Hamaji is inspired by East African charm and embodies a spirit of nomadic femininity in pastel hues, free flowing silhouettes and a delightful sense of elegance.
The House of BAV is an extension of Born Again Vintage, the sustainable fashion brand that has pioneered upcycled fashion worldwide via the book; Born Again Vintage 25 ways to Deconstruct, Reinvent & Recycle your wardrobe. Founder Bridgett Artise is the premier craftsman for repurposing garments.
Designer, creative director, educator and stylist Damian Joel works at the intersection of African ancestry and intentional craftsmanship. DJ’s uses his architectural designs as a canvas for creative story-telling while paying homage to ancestral knowledge alongside ethical production philosophies.
Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa is Your go to “Everyday Superhero” Leisure Lifestyle brand created for the Self aware, Confident & Compassionate individual. Designing timeless, transcendent casual and semi-formal wear that extends beyond any season, the brand experiments with modern techniques, innovative fabrics and traditional methods. Born and raised in Nairobi Kenya, Katungulu is heavily influenced by her upbringing and surroundings. An active curiosity driven by the concept of identity paired with an early introduction into the artisanal crafts world by her late grandmother, has seen her working with community groups within the region to make contemporary interpretations of traditional aesthetics.Sustainability to the brand mean’s having compassion to themselves, compassion towards the people around them, and their relationship with the environment. The brand believes in working with materials that are organic and or as sustainable as possible, such as Tencel and Cupro. They are keen on working with cooperatives and businesses that have a greater impact on the lives of those within a given society.
Determined to do good from the beginning, Local European makes all of their pieces with deadstock fabric, to reduce waste, save energy, and lower their carbon footprint. Their clothing is made in Los Angeles, and they continue to improve their manufacturing processes and inspire their customers to consume mindfully. Since everything is made in small batches, they do not frequently restock items, making their sustainable pieces a more unique addition to your wardrobe.
Mimi Miller
Mimi’s formula for beautiful clothing is simple: Ethical Production + Quality Fit + Excellent Textiles = Effortless & Modern Pieces
Luxe swimwear with “coverage options for all” made from recycled fishing nets. Designed in the USA and ethically manufactured in Indonesia. Founded by Fatimah Hunter and Summiyah Siddeeq.
The FIRST Sustainable Denim Heritage Brand made in Harlem, New York USA. Founder Miko Underwood is a maker of Hemp, Organic Cotton, Repurposed Denim. The genderless luxury denim pays homage to the untold history of the Indigenous American & the enslaved African’s contributions that have shaped American Manufacturing and American denim.
Pure Hope Clothing is an independent, ethical and sustainable clothing brand based in London, UK and handmade in Jaipur, India. Founded by me, Rebekah, I work in partnership with Ashanari, a social project that runs a Women's Empowerment Sewing Project and child education NGO, providing free education for women and children living in slum areas. All our clothes are handmade using up-cycled fabrics by the women from the project who get paid fairly for everything they make.
This eco conscious clothing line specializes in sourcing and reconstructing one-of-a-kind vintage garments curated from around the world.
This Ghanaian brand creates wearable art pieces with clothing waste sourced in Accra. Its model of sustainability applies circularity, regeneration, and ethical standards to art-making and is informed by a reflection on human geographies and the socially-produced nature of space. The garments are material maps of multiple journeys and the realities …
Maria is an ethical fashion designer based in Milwaukee. She specializes in refreshing, re-innovating and reframing discarded or pre-loved pieces.
Two Days Off is an independently, woman-owned and operated lifestyle brand. They believe thoughtfully crafted clothes will be loved, and loved clothes last.
As I tried to be more intentional with my consumption, I found that many of the more “sustainable” options didn't feel inclusive or affordable. And like me, most of my friends and family had no idea sustainability was such an issue for us right here, right now.
Ekwerike Chukwuma, a Nigerian fashion artist, strives to tell stories through his art and garments. Inspired by the female anatomy which I fell in love with during my medical school days at University. His art/fashion is a way of expressing his thoughts distinctly - drawing inspiration from daily life, relationships, thoughts around his heritage, observations, abstraction, architecture, geometry and affinities to create works that are engaging.