Discover and shop your perfect bag or purse from top designers including Telfar, Brandon Blackwood, and ASHYA at Black Designer Brands.
Photograph: ASHYA
Established in 2017 by co-founders Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece, ASHYA (pronounced “agh-shya”) is a New York design label featuring unisex travel accessories. ASHYA is dedicated to creating well-crafted designs that unify luxury and utility and all ASHYA bags are made in small batches and feature custom hardware. A 2019 recipient of the CFDA Elaine Gold Launch Pad Fellowship, ASHYA is an ode to exploration reflected in innovative styles like their around-the-neck Bolo bag.
Photograph: EDAS
EDAS was created from an innovative standpoint, focusing on sustainability while using unusual home-goods and refurbished elements. Delivering feminine staples for the everyday, eclectic woman, EDAS offers signature pieces, including handbags and jewelry, making each item one of a kind, and uniquely tailored to whoever chooses to wear it. Led by head designer Sadie Mims, EDAS strives to make women feel beautiful, one accessory at a time.
Photograph: Kintu New York
Launched in 2015, the Kintu brand appeals to the dynamic, busy, urban woman who values quality and self-expression. In soft colors, silk patterns and gold finishes, Kintu bags are whimsical and fun, with silk brocade designed by artisans in India and Kenya. The result is high quality, minimalist, vibrant bags that are beautiful, practical and capture each customer’s unique personality.
Photograph: Peju Obasa
Peju Obasa is a womenswear knitwear designer based in London. Her bags and fanny packs are rich in color and texture, embracing dyeing and knitwear techniques from her Nigerian roots but with fresh and unexpected shapes. Her designs are inspired from everything from the food she enjoys to cook to the colourful building facades on random streets and are available online.
Photograph: Helmer Lifestyle
Marrying cultural appreciation, travel and understated luxury, Helmer was founded by mother/daughter trio Shevanne, Michelle and Danielle Helmer after a family trip to Bali. Helmer embraces a passion for travel and wanderlust, reflected in its designs and use of fabrics from around the world. Collaborating with global artisans, Helmer launched a limited edition collection with Moroccan artist Mimouni El Houssaine in connection with the 1-54 Art Fair in Marrakech.
Photograph: Love Cortnie
Love, Cortnie is a handbag and accessory brand that features unique skins, animal prints and furs. Launched in 2011 by former blogger Cortnie Elizabeth, Love, Cortnie began when Cortnie's grandmother taught her to sew. From this act of love, she made her first oversized clutch and opened an Etsy storefront shortly after. Today, Love, Cortnie carries oversized clutches, crossbody bags, bucket bags, backpacks and other accessories in bright, bold colors and fabrics.
Photograph: Brandon Blackwood
Based in New York City, Brandon Blackwood is known for his miniature handbags that are larger than life. With bright colors, vegan leather and skins, all his bags are ethically sourced and made by fair-trade craftsmen. With a focus on trend-forward yet lasting designs, Brandon Blackwood produces statement pieces with an impact. In 2020, he created the End Systemic Racism line that, like his bags, is a statement that will forever be timeless.
Photograph: Carlton Yaito
Helmed by couple Carlton and Tulie Yiato, Carlton Yiato specializes in exclusive and custom streetwear designs with topknot bags in their signature classic paisley bandana print. In shiny metallics, their styles have been seen on celebs like Aleli May and ROC Nation's Biggs Burke and they've collaborated with brands like Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, Russell Athletic and Awake.
Photograph: Mifland
Mifland Leather Goods is an Atlanta-based mixed accessory goods company with a modern utilitarian approach. Through founder Tobi Egberongbe’s previous experiences and affinity for design, photography and architecture, the brand was created. All pieces are designed with form and function as the most important requirement, resulting in a signature collection of handmade, leather rucksacks that are as useful as they are stylish.
Photograph: Yvonne Kone
Blending Danish design with the colors of the Ivory Coast, designer Yvonne Kone designs luxury Italian-made leather handbags. Timeless, understated and effortless, Yvonne Kone bags have a playful approach to color that nods to our African roots. One of Denmark’s preeminent designers, Yvonne Kone received the Elle Style Award in 2017. Products are sold globally, online and at the flagship boutique at Store Strandstræde in Copenhagen.
Photograph: VAVVOUNE
Founded by self taught designer and artisan Valerie Blaise, VAVVOUNE (pronounced vav•une) is a leather accessories brand that carries passionately made, wearable leather goods. In streamlined shapes and rich hues, VAVVOUNE bags are structured and petite so you can take them anywhere. Available in genuine calf and embossed leather, VAVVOUNE is carried online, at Sincerely, Tommy in Brooklyn and Maimoun.
Photograph: Agnes Baddoo
Inspired by simple forms with function, designer and stylist Agnes Baddoo creates leather goods that are well-made and classic. Her signature Sac series features structured leather totes, crossbody bags, and belt sacs, all perfect for everyday use. Based in Los Angeles and New York, all Agnes Baddoo leather goods are handmade and produced by a small local production house to ensure quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Photograph: Mateo
Seen on celebrities from Kerry Washington, Natasha Lyonne, Anne Hathaway and our forever first lady Michelle Obama, Matthew Harris founded Mateo New York in 2009. Starting in men's jewelry, Harris quickly pivoted to women's fine jewelry and handbags to amazing success. Today the brand is sold in Net-A-Porter, Matches Fashion and FarFetch and has been covered in WWD, American VOGUE and more. Mateo opened its flagship store in Soho in 2016 and was a 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist.
Photograph: Telfar
You can't scroll through Instagram without seeing a Telfar Bag. Known for their simplicity and signature 'TC' logo, Telfar is the IT handbag of the 2020s and with great reason. Founded by Liberian-American designer Telfar Clemens, Telfar is a genderless brand that expouses the values of fashion for everyone. Available in a host of colors, vegan leather and three sizes -- small, medium and large --- Telfar won the 2020 CFDA American Accessories Designer of the Year award and has collabed with brands such as UGG and Converse.
Photograph: Anima Iris
Anima Iris is a modern brand that pulls inspiration and strength from the matriarchs of its past and the fertile landscape of Africa. Named for founder Wilglory's mother and closest friend, Anima Iris handbags honor the rich Cameroonian tradition of Bamileke cloth, the geometric shapes of Ghana's kente, and Africa’s bold history in the molds of their structural and colorful bags.
Photograph: Laurus
Stemming from the Latin word for 'Triumph', Laurus rejects today’s era of mass luxury and believes in elevating the aesthetic of the modern conscious fashionista. Each bag is crafted by hand in Lombardia, Italy and made in limited quantities, available by special order. Laurus has been featured in Marie Claire, WWD, Harper’s Bazaar, Tatler, Business of Fashion and more.
Photograph: Petite Kouraj
A fresh fringe take on the traditional net bag, Petit Kouraj infuses rayon fringe and 100% leather handles into the classic shape of cotton netting. Haitian Creole for Little Courage, Petit Kouraj bags are handmade in Haiti by artisans that work up to 12 hours on a single bag. Founded by Nasrin Jean-Baptiste, Petit Kouraj carries wearable pieces of art that celebrate knitwear, sculpture and Haiti.
Photograph: Ree Projects
Ree Projects carries luxury leather handbags, handmade in Italy, that embody the spirit of functional elegance. Based in Amsterdam, Ree Projects was founded by designer Desiree Kleinen, bringing her two decades of fashion industry experience to the craftsmanship and design of leather goods. Kleinen believes in creating bags that empower, inspire and include all women.
Premium brands whose lines have evolved from primarily ready-to-wear or shoes, to include luxury bags and purses.
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BLACK DESIGNER BRANDS
Black Designer Brands connects shoppers with Black-owned businesses in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle spaces.
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