Black Canadian Designers to Shop From All Year Round
This article was originally published in February 2022 and has been updated.
February is Black History Month. At FASHION, we celebrate diversity all year round, but we’d like to take this opportunity to specifically highlight the exceptional talent of Black designers, who still face barriers to entry, marginalization and a lack of representation in the world of fashion.
It’s been more than two years since protests against policy brutality that escalated across the U.S. and around the world triggered change across many industries, including fashion. In May 2020, Aurora James founded the 15 Percent Pledge, calling on retailers to pledge 15 percent of shelf space to Black-owned businesses. A month after that, notable Canadian designer George Sully launched the platform Black Designers of Canada to feature and celebrate Black talent across the country.
And while we witnessed the overwhelming support of Black businesses at the height of the summer of 2020, our support must extend beyond a movement (or a month, for that matter). You’re probably familiar with a few of Canada’s renowned fashion figures, such as Kirk Pickersgill of Greta Constantine, Aurora James of Brother Vellies and Byron and Dexter Peart of Goodee (and formerly Want Les Essentiels), but there are myriad up-and-coming creatives that also deserve the spotlight. Here are some of our favourite Black Canadian designers to shop all year round.
1/27
Andrea Iyamah
Tibara Kaftan Dress
($405, Andrea Iyamah)
2/27
Cherry Gardens
Almeda Top
($90, Cherry Gardens)
6/27
2nd Coming
Black "Stargazer" Hat
($67, 2nd Coming)
7/27
Bobbi Made This
Alanna Flower Power-Powder Blue:Olive Green
($35, Bobbi Made This)
8/27
Pretty Denim
Andy Dark
($259, Pretty Denim)
10/27
Love & Nudes
Amanda Ultimate Wire-Free Bra
($101, Love & Nudes)
11/27
Adidem Asterisk
Stack Logo Sweatpants
($150, Adidem Asterisk)
13/27
Stacey Martin Lifestyle
Aura Dress
($195, Stacey Martin Lifestyle)
15/27
Life Liveth in Me
Life and Forms Silk Twill Scarf
($300, Life Liveth in Me)
16/27
Israella Kobla
Asha Off-Shoulder Mini Dress
($754, Israella Kobla)
17/27
Mike Paul Atelier
Zero Weight Knit Jacket
($1,975, Mike Paul Atelier)
18/27
Enarmoured
Flow Hoop Earring Brass
($150, Enarmoured)
19/27
Batik Boutik
Cape Coast Bowling Shirt
($80, Batik Boutik)
20/27
Get Fresh Company
PP Ostrich Hoody
($158, Get Fresh Company)
23/27
House of Hayla
HOH Patent Low
($125, House of Hayla)
27/27
Selfish Swimwear
Kiana Bikini Top in Tropical Print
($190, Selfish Swimwear)
The post Black Canadian Designers to Shop From All Year Round appeared first on FASHION Magazine.