I have been thinking about the best way to support the Black Community and one of the most direct and sustainable ways is to shop at black-owned businesses. After doing some in-depth research, here are my Top Ten favourites…
Emma Make
Emma Hall is a designer and illustrator from Cambridge in the UK, currently living in Lisbon, Portugal. Creating fonts, patterns, templates and illustrations inspired by vintage finds, current moods and the natural world.
Morgan Harper Nichols
Daily reminders through art by Morgan Harper Nichols, she is an artist and poet inspired by real life interactions and stories. Morgan is based in Southern California where you can find her studio. Her new book All Along You Were Blooming is available on her website.
Bonita Ivie Prints
Gifts, stationery and homeware brand that celebrates African culture with the use of bold colour and patterns synonymous with traditional West African prints. Founder Bonita Ebuehi is a self-taught graphic designer, with a background in architecture. A self-confessed stationery addict; she was dissatisfied with the lack of ethnic influence in high street stores and saw a huge gap in the market for diverse stationery. Bonita is passionate about creating products that people of colour can easily identify with, to make both celebratory and everyday moments special.
Mind the Cork
Contemporary, eco-friendly cork homeware and lifestyle products created by Jenny Esparto Santo, based in London. Formed from the belief that we don’t need to destroy the world to make our homes beautiful, mind the cork aims to make the most of one of the world’s most underrated materials. Jenny is nspired by nature, the love of craft and the simple things in life.
Sacrée Frangine
The Frangines are a creative duo who are firstly childhood friends. Inspired by portraits, still lifes and feminine themes that explore the beauty of simple things and everyday life. They express themselves through minimalist compositions that focus on the harmony of shapes and colors, playing with large colored areas. Mixing figuration and abstraction, they share a light and aesthetic universe that revolves around positive values in which everyone can meet.
Dorcas Creates
Dorcas is an artist, illustrator and product designer based in London. She is passionate about representing Black people and is inspired by her Nigerian heritage with bold colours and patterns. Her work is happy, uplifting and joyful. When not illustrating Dorcas loves lino-printing snd sewing.
Jeanetta Gonzales
Los Angeles-based designer, artist and coach, Jeanetta Gonzales, spreads joy through a variety of creative means. Her multidisciplinary studio specializes in surface pattern design, lettering and graphic design. Jeanetta can also be found teaching at local art colleges, writing design articles, working with brands, speaking at conferences and providing guidance, accountability and support to artists bringing out their true self expression.
Chloe Ainsley Creative
Modern design studio based in Kent creating eco-friendly wedding stationery, prints & gifts. Inspired by Chloe’s love of being experimental with a desire to break out of the mould. All artwork is designed and hand-finished by Chloe. Designs often feature typography, abstract forms and shapes alongside earthy tones and textures
Pigeon Wishes
Wholesale fabric shop that sources and creates high quality, exclusive fabrics based in London. Focusing on natural sustainable fibres and deadstock fabric (regarded as waste), for garment making with bold colours and unique prints. Vintage buttons are also a new addition. Founded by Megan Valero (an avid stitcher) and her husband Frank, a family run business.
Acamy Schleikorn
Spreading love through hand lettered and illustrated canvases and prints, for dreamers and believers. Acamy is an artist in Las Vegas known for her bouncy lettering style. She also provides a service for wood signs, wedding invitations and personalised greeting cards.