luxury Archives - SHOPPE BLACK

Published on March 7, 2024March 18, 2024

9 mins read

eu2be: Expressing Artistry in Luxury Skincare

Founded by Charla Jones, eu2be is a skincare brand inspired by a global perspective on beauty and self-care and a deep respect for the power of nature.

eu2be’s products are formulated with biomimetic carrier oils, which are sourced sustainably from around the world and chosen for their ability to nourish and protect the skin.

In this interview, Charla Jones discusses her vision for eu2be, her commitment to sustainability, and her belief in the importance of supporting the arts.

What inspired you to start eu2be?

Two things really. First, we need to expand our imagination about beauty and align it with our human connection to it. This is a treasured insight I learned from my stylish, world-traveling aunt Eugenia for whom eu2be is named, and my nana, whose Midwestern speakeasy hosted jazz and blues greats like BB King.

These inspiring women were less focused on the “arithmetic of beauty” and more on their birthright to define beauty through whole-body skincare enabled by their agency and proven results.

Secondly, skin needs a new story—one that is defined beyond makeup, mirrors, and the face we present to the world. Skin is so much more than a static covering for the face and body— it has a complex life of its own, with many active layers that impact the quality of our health and our lives.

eu2be

What is your approach to sustainability within eu2be?

Sustainability is a serious priority for us that extends beyond product packaging. It begins with our biomimetic carrier oils that are sustainably sourced from all around the world.

These “best in class” ingredients are whole and non-GMO. We prioritize suppliers who engage in regenerative farming practices to ensure the good for our planet.

Because of timing, Covid, and supply chain issues, it took two years to relaunch our reimagined packaging and new branding. eu2be products are manufactured in the US and our beautiful new product packaging is infinitely sustainable.

We are equally committed to preserving and supporting diverse cultural skincare practices and self-care rituals, especially those that elevate care of the body. This extends to educating about the culturally-prized biomimetic carrier oils in our products.

eu2be

Creating a true luxury experience goes beyond the product itself. How does eu2be approach customer service, packaging, and overall brand communication to deliver an experience that reflects your positioning as a luxury brand?

I agree, although it is no small feat to create a true luxury experience in products.

We approach the luxury experience with great care. We’re a small business operating with a lean, experienced team, competing against larger entities on every front. So we take every customer seriously and we value every single order.

Luxury is a feeling, not a thing, that gets reinforced through careful attention to every touch point with our valued customers. And to your point, the consumer gets these feelings by how these details are executed.

How does the concept of artistic expression play a role in how you approach product development or brand aesthetic?

eu2be was born out of my value for cultural and creative expression, starting with my selection of our biomimetic carrier oils. I began formulating the products in 2012 and we launched in 2015 with proprietary formulas, no shortcuts.

Many cultures and places inspired our brand aesthetic and beauty mindset—Brazil, Japan, Mexico, and West-Central Africa just to name a few. The extraordinary cultural riches, including skincare practices from these places, contribute to what I call, eu2be’s rare blends of “culturally-prized” natural oils.

I think about these things holistically, not just from the perspective of how various natural oils behave with skin but how their cultural impact has endured through generations of engaging our human needs.

For example, mangoes are an important food and skincare staple in Senegal, the buriti seed oil comes from trees Brazilians regard as the “tree of life” and our nangai seed oil is sourced from Vanuatu island in the South Pacific where traditional farming methods are used to extract it from the seed of tropical nangai trees.

In all of these examples, the trees have practical and spiritual significance in culture.

Lastly and personally, I believe we have a human need to be creative. I think it’s tied up with our survival and wellbeing. The very act of self-care involves aesthetics and creative expression. In the same way that our bodies need to feel cared for, we need the arts to nourish our imaginations and souls.

And that’s why eu2be’s philanthropy is committed to our most treasured human resources: human creativity and the arts. Like caring for our skin, the arts carry the power to take us deeper into ourselves.

eu2be

The skincare market is highly competitive. What strategies do you use to differentiate eu2be from other brands?

eu2be’s elegant formulas were specifically designed for function, to be high-performing and multi-tasking. Unlike most other body care products eu2be products are not highly fragrant or composed of the ubiquitous coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils ingredients.

“You to be” treasures who you are and the skin that you have with best-in-class biomimetic carrier oils and proven science to deliver luxurious, moisturizing, premium face-grade skin care discerning consumers demand.

Sustainably sourced from around the world, our powerful biomimetic carrier oils sink into skin easily, hydrate deeply and instantly deliver eu2be’s impressive and superior crowd-pleasing benefits. And our products have more of these oils than most other products.

Carrier oils are the silent workhorses in any skincare formula—they can make or break a product’s efficacy and function. Derived from the most potent parts of a plant, they ‘carry’ naturally existing, bioactive compounds that the body needs but can’t produce.

I think nature designed us in a way that caring for our skin is a conducive regimen for caring for the body and the person we are to become. So our bodies are implicated in our emotional life, not just our physical one. They need more than marketing tropes of trendy miracle ingredients. They need to feel cared for which is why I devised a rare blend of powerful biomimetic carrier oils—prized through generations of skincare traditions, practices, and wisdom to deliver transformative skincare experiences.

And as I said, our philanthropy supports our most treasured resource: human creativity and the arts.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those interested in the beauty industry?

Do your homework. Have a strong vision and know that it’s going to take more of everything you’ve considered. The golden days of having a cool story or great idea are over.

Your product must add real value and be differentiated because IP is critical. Chart your course meticulously and be prepared to make changes along the way that fuel growth. Have an exit strategy from the beginning.

SHOPPE eu2be HERE

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Published on January 16, 2023March 18, 2024

3 mins read

Black-Owned Handbag Brands You Should Know

When it comes to accessorizing, a handbag is a must-have for any fashion-savvy person. From high-end designer labels to trendy streetwear brands, the options for handbags are endless.

In this article, we’ll be highlighting some Black-owned handbag brands that offer a wide range of styles, from classic and timeless to trendy and bold.

Black-Owned Handbag Brands

Ree Projects

Black-Owned Handbag

Ree Projects, an Amsterdam-based luxury brand founded by designer Desiree Kleinen, is quietly synonymous with its distinctive yet understated line of luxury bags. Created with the vision to empower women through thoughtful design, each design is rooted in the concept of functional elegance.

Yvonne Koné

Copenhagen-based designer Yvonne Koné presents a collection of key wardrobe staples that are both timeless and understated. With an architectural approach to form, materials and texture, her designs strike a balance between practicality and playful use of color, inspired by her African heritage.

Homage Year

Every piece, accessory, and object created by Homage is infused with sociopolitical intention. Each creation serves as a tribute to the brand’s people, culture, and environment, and is a recognition of the brand’s place within these elements.

Peryton

Black-Owned Handbag

Peryton is a leather goods brand that caters to those who desire unique, high-quality pieces. Instead of following trends or seasonal fads, their goal is to craft something exceptional and long-lasting. They focus on creating products that are both beautiful and durable, for customers who appreciate the value of timeless designs

Anima Iris

Black-Owned Handbag

The Anima Iris collection features handcrafted pieces made by seasoned professionals in Dakar, Senegal. The artisans, who possess centuries-old African craftsmanship, add a unique touch of quality and attention to detail to create limited edition pieces.

N’Damus London

N’Damus London is an independent luxury British accessories brand epitomizing precision craftsmanship and style, synonymous with the creation of durable, high quality leather goods with classic and distinctive designs for men and women.

Petit Kouraj

Petit Kouraj creates unique, standalone pieces of wearable art that blend knitwear, sculpture, and cultural identity. The name “Petit Kouraj” is derived from the Haitian Creole phrase meaning “little courage”.

Agnes Baddoo

Black-Owned Handbag

Agnes Baddoo is a luxury lifestyle brand specializing in leather goods that are committed to consistently providing well-crafted investment pieces to a global discerning customer.

Amany Z

Black-Owned Handbag

Amany Z designs unique handbags that are both functional and sustainable. Their bags stand out for their quirkiness and practicality, offering a minimal and eco-friendly option as compared to traditional luxury accessories.

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Published on September 12, 2022September 12, 2022

4 mins read

10 Black Designers at New York Fashion Week 2022

New York Fashion Week kicked off on Friday, Sept. 9th. The September shows are always eagerly anticipated, and after several virtual and hybrid seasons, the New York calendar is more packed than it has been in a while, with designers eager to showcase their best work and the city aiming to reclaim its position as a leader in the global fashion industry.

Reportedly, Black designers make up more than twenty-five percent of the runway shows at this year’s New York Fashion Week.

Meet some of them below.

Black Designers at NYFW 2022

June79

June79 is the new standard of menswear, reframing and redefining the new standard of luxury, existing between the fine balance of work performance and luxury leisure. June79 is founded on the premise of the new luxury renaissance, from quality and craftsmanship to mentality and style.

black designers

Junny

JUNNY is a former ESPN sales executive who discovered her passion for designing after getting downsized from her position 6 years ago. Her collections are bold, creatively exuberant, and size-inclusive, drawing on the vibrancy of her Harlem and Jamaican cultural roots. Her collections have often been described as “wearable art.”

Ashya

ASHYA’s (pronounced “agh-shya”) vision is rooted in travel, cultural awareness, and unifying style and utility. Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece developed the brand as an “ode to exploration.” They design for simple movement and essentialism, inspired by worldwide Black, Brown, and Indigenous populations and transient modern existence.

Kimberly Goldson

Kimberly Goldson is a Brooklyn-based, sister-crafted, luxury-driven contemporary womenswear brand centered around women’s suiting.

black designers

Black Boy Knits

Black Boy Knits (BBK) is an independent design studio that emphasizes Black, queer and immigrant narratives while highlighting its contributions on a global perspective. As a design studio, BBK centers on creating unique pieces on a made-to-order basis.

Marrisa Wilson

MARRISA WILSON is built around the philosophy that all women should be able to effortlessly express their unique personalities. With a focus on quality and functionality, and a colorful, optimistic aesthetic, the brand is an extension of founder and creative director Marrisa Wilson’s personal belief that high-end fashion can still be attainable and inclusive.

black designers

Studio One Eighty Nine

Studio One Eighty Nine is an artisan-focused brand based in Ghana and the United States. All Studio 189 clothing is produced in Africa in craftsmen communities that specialize in traditional textile techniques, such as hand-printing batik patterns and using plant-based dyes.

Todd Patrick

Todd Patrick is a luxury menswear brand that focuses on how the past shapes the future. The brand has carved out a niche lane for the mid-century modern man of today’s time. Each piece translates fabric to conversation.

Connor McKnight

Connor McKnight is a luxury fashion brand based in Brooklyn, NY established during the pandemic. With this collection, he explored his relationship to this practice of daily work, emphasizing craft and utility with refined timeless silhouettes to be worn for a lifetime. All designs are suggestions of ideas that we see in everyday life adjusted to create an abnormality.

Victor Glemaud

Haitian-American designer Victor Glemaud launched his eponymous designer collection of statement knitwear, designed for all people, genders, races, sizes, and personalities, marrying comfort and style.

-Tony O. Lawson

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Published on August 18, 2022

1 min read

ZAAF Founder Abai Schulze on Building a Global Lifestyle Brand

Abai Schulze is the Founder and Creative Director of the ZAAF Collection, an internationally recognized premium lifestyle brand made entirely in Africa.

Abai Schulze

ZAAF is developing long-term growth opportunities across Africa, partnering with skilled artisans to develop high-end designer products.

ZAAF’s creativity has been recognized in various ways ranging from appearing on runways at New York Fashion Week to being featured in Elle and Vogue, to receiving the UNESCO Tremplin Prize for Entrepreneurship.

ZAAF products are now being carried in boutiques in France, Nairobi, Ethiopia, and the USA.

Abai Schulze

In this interview, Abai shares:

The creative inspiration behind her product designs.
The challenges associated with operating a business on multiple continents.
Her strategy for building a team of 20 employees.
He thoughts on the increased appreciation for products made in Africa.
What entrepreneurial skill she would love to master in 24hrs.
Sourcing materials from multiple African countries.
Advice for new and aspiring designers.

Tony O. Lawson

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Published on July 31, 2022March 18, 2024

3 mins read

Black-Owned Jewelry Brands to Add To Your Collection in 2022

As anyone who loves fashion knows, jewelry is the perfect way to add a little personality to any outfit. Whether you prefer dainty or bold statement pieces, there is a jewelry brand that suits your style.

These Black-owned jewelry brands are a great way to add some unique and stylish pieces to your collection. Whether you’re looking for something flashy or understated, there’s a brand with precisely what you need.

So go ahead and add one (or all!) of these fantastic brands to your list, and enjoy the added confidence and beauty that their jewelry provides.

Black-Owned Jewelry Brands

Afro Deco

Handmade pieces by British jewelry designer and visual artist Natasha Lisa. Operating under the name Afro Deco, Natasha channels the stylistic influences of Art Deco and the vibrant patterns of African fabric in her diverse range of afrofuturist-themed Lucite designs.

YAM

Yam is a made to order, handmade jewelry brand based in Queens, NY. The brand is dedicated to creating new, yet nostalgic pieces through up-cycled materials and vintage silhouettes. Designs incorporate classic and industrial hardware elements, complimented with cheeky and charming nature motifs and pearl accents.

Jooel

Black owned jewelry brands

Jooel was born out of a desire to curate timeless luxury jewelry pieces for every wardrobe. With a careful blend of trendy and classic pieces, Jooel offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a bling queen or prefer understated lux, Jooel has something for you.

Leliamae

black owned jewelry

Leliamae is a New York-based, woman-run jewelry brand that strives to balance integrity and unique style. The artist behind the brand, Lelia, sources quality gold materials that are ethically produced and made to elevate your everyday collection.

HOME by Areeayl

black owned jewelry brands

Each Beads Byaree piece is created with a focus on quality and attention to detail. The results are beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces that are sure to make a statement. Whether you’re looking for a unique gift or a treat for yourself, Beads Byaree has something for everyone.

Third Crown

The husband-and-wife team behind Third Crown aims to celebrate the merging of two forces coming together to form something new – a powerful pair. They fuse their love of geometric shapes with the details found in their architectural surroundings to create their collection of men’s and women’s jewelry.

ALMASIKA

black owned jewelry brands

ALMASIKA makes fine jewelry that tells stories across generations and cultures. The sculptural designs are handcrafted using precious metals and shimmering gems. Pieces include the debut ‘Le Cauri Endiamante’ collection – inspired by the rich history and symbolism of cowrie shells – as well as newer styles from the ‘Sagesse’ range, which explores ancient motifs associated with traditional wisdom.

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Published on March 14, 2022March 19, 2022

5 mins read

Yenaé, High End Jewelry Inspired by African Culture

Yenaé (pronounced as Ye.Nay) is a high fashion jewelry brand that offers culturally curated and African-inspired collections. Their exquisite jewelry designs fuse deeply rooted and diverse African culture with a twist of modern design appeal.

We caught up with co-founder Seble Alemayehu to find out more about the business.

What inspired you to start your business?

Yenaé was born out of our shared experiences – two Ethiopian- Americans, jewelry lovers, and co-founders, Seble Alemayehu and Felekech (Fei) Biratu.

While living in different parts of the US, we saw the magnitude of the lack of awareness that existed about Africa, especially in a positive light.

We were both born and raised in Ethiopia and we had first-hand knowledge about the creativity, craftsmanship, and resources that exist in Africa.

Coming from entrepreneurial families and holding MBA degrees ourselves, we decided to pursue our interest for business and love for jewelry.

With that, we founded Yenaé – a high fashion jewelry brand that takes patrons on a journey inside Africa through exquisite jewelry designs that blend culture and storytelling with a twist of modern design appeal for a wide range of jewelry enthusiasts.

How did you raise the capital to start your business?

Yenaé is 100% self-funded and women-owned. We raised our initial funds from our immediate families while we worked on the side to raise our own capital. But most importantly, we learned how to kickstart with minimal investment.

We heavily utilized a lean startup model to build the brand, where our ideas started with customer interviews, building out the minimum viable jewelry, testing it, quickly iterating, or pivoting to get to the core of our offering and branding.

What makes your pieces unique?

What makes Yenaé stand out is its creative focus on offering customers multi-wear jewelry. Currently, 50% of our collection fits this category, whereby a single piece of jewelry can be worn in a minimum of 3 different styles.

All of our jewelry is made from recycled brass, plated with 14K gold or rhodium; responsibly and ethically sourced Ethiopian semi-precious gemstones, hand-crafted by artisans in Ethiopia, and hand-polished hypoallergenic jewelry made in California, USA.

Ranging from simple, everyday jewelry to one-of-a-kind, contemporary statement pieces, each piece of jewelry has a story behind its design, sourced from historians and storytellers.

What is one lesson you’ve learned as a business owner that you’d like to pass on to other entrepreneurs?

One of the most important lessons we learned is the power of taking action and having a “Start Today” mentality. Often, there are so many limiting reasons for why one may not pursue their ideas or take it to the next level.

There will never be perfect timing, working capital, network or resource. Whatever you want to explore as an aspiring entrepreneur, don’t limit yourself. Just start.

We both love to wear jewelry, but we didn’t have a single clue or background on how it’s made. We just made the bold decision to start, figure it all out, and learn as we go along our journey.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?

In 5 years, we see Yenaé playing a role to influence a consumption pattern that moves towards a more sustainable community, away from fast fashion.

We will be expanding the design of our jewelry collections to cover every corner of the African continent, showcasing the rich heritage and culture of each African country. Lastly, we see our collections available in major retail stores in the US.

Tony O. Lawson

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Published on October 16, 2019September 17, 2020

7 mins read

KoshieO: The Black Owned Luxury Brand Representing The Culture

The luxury fashion brand, KoshieO is the brainchild of Nina Baksmaty. It all started while she was still in college in Missouri and wanted to make some extra money.

Because fashion came as second nature to her, she started a business trading in accessories and shoes that she bought from NYC.

Although Nina only did this to make ends meet, she eventually began to enjoy being involved in the business of fashion. That is when she had the “aha moment” that inspired the creation of KoshieO.

Tell us more about why You started your business.

As an African immigrant, I wanted to blend both cultures to come up with unique pieces that showcased my African heritage as well as the culture of my new home, America.

A lot of prominent brands have been inspired by the African continent. I believe it is time we rise and tell our own stories through our designs with the same quality of work, if not better.

All of this led to the inspiration of the brand 10 years ago and has also attracted some big names in the industry like the Late Franca Sozzani (editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia).

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A post shared by KoshieO (@koshieo)

Can you describe your background in the fashion industry?

I like to say that I was born into fashion. My mother was an outstanding fashion designer of her time and I remember always being fascinated while watching her make clothes.

She always told me the story of how she had to go to work at a factory in London while she was pregnant with me so she could afford baby stuff.

As I was growing up I spent a lot of time around her sewing room and was exposed to all her work tools and sewing equipment.

She eventually got me a hand machine which I used to practice sewing dresses for my dolls, and thus began my journey to fashion.

How would you describe your designs?

My designs can be described as vibrant fabrics put together to create a luxury brand that pays homage to the uniqueness and beauty of Africa.

Black Owned Luxury

Usually, when people think African-Inspired they think wax print, but these prints are a staple of African fabric, so we chose to make them look different by merging them on other quality fabrics like Egyptian cotton and silks to bring our designs to life.

We wanted to create something that could be on the same level as international standards and be in the same space as some high-end brands we grew up with.

I started at the time when this space was yet to be created in the Fashion Industry in America for African brands but I can proudly say that the high-end stores that we are distributing to puts KoshieO in the same space as some of these brands now.

Black Owned Luxury

Where do you see the business in 5 years?

We are currently in stores in areas like NYC, Washington. DC, Virginia, L.A., Detroit, Toronto, Chicago, Accra (Ghana) and still working to quickly expand distribution into many more stores both nationally and internationally.

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A post shared by KoshieO (@koshieo)

We want our logo (which is the silhouette of a woman carrying goods on her head and a baby on her back) to be iconic and easily recognizable. This logo symbolizes “all women who deftly and successfully combines parenting, housekeeping, and breadwinning.”

I started a foundation (which we are still working on) with the ultimate goal to develop communities by investing in entrepreneurs. Our focus will be mainly here in the USA and Africa. Our motto is to “empower one entrepreneur and change entire communities.” Hoping to achieve all this in the next 5 years.

What advice do you have for aspiring designers?

I know that innately people know what they want to be. Our creator made us that way but often times we are crippled by fear.

Fear to me is an enemy of progress. I am a black woman that had a dream to own a luxury fashion label that not only catered to female folks but also the male folks as well and I accomplished that. I did it without letting fear stop me.

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A post shared by KoshieO (@koshieo)

So my advice to aspiring designers would be that, If you want to get into fashion start writing down goals on what you want to achieve. Fashion is not just about sketching garments and creating designs, there’s also a business and branding aspect to it.

Secondly, exposure to working with designers and brands also helps, this way you will be privy to the whole scope of what the industry entails. You have to also be passionate about what you are doing because while there will be ups and downs your passion for what you are doing will remind you to stick to it.

Tony O. Lawson

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Published on March 15, 2019April 12, 2024

3 mins read

Black Owned Men’s Shoe Brands

Whether you’re thinking about expanding your wardrobe or someone else’s, consider choosing from these Black owned men’s shoe brands. From classic leather dress shoes to trendy hiking boots, these brands have got you covered.

Black Owned Men’s Shoe Brands

Blackstock & Weber

Blackstock & Weber designs and manufactures loafers for men and women. Their shoes are made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and they are known for their classic and comfortable designs.

Mandeaux

Black Owned Men's Shoe Brands

Mandeaux is a family-owned luxury brand that specializes in handcrafted footwear. Their shoes are made with high-grade full grain leather in Spain and can be customized to help retailers fulfill the various needs of their customers.

Armando Cabral

Armando Cabral shoes are a luxury footwear brand known for their sleek, modern design and high-quality craftsmanship. The brand offers a range of styles, including dress shoes, boots, and sneakers, and are suitable for both formal and casual occasions.

Blue Sole Shoes

Black Owned Men's Shoe Brands

Blue Sole shoes is a Philadelphia-based shoe store specializing in fashion-forward footwear for men in styles from dress to casual.

Tucci Polo

Tucci Polo is a luxury shoe brand that creates high-quality, stylish footwear. The brand is known for its use of premium materials, such as leather and suede, and its attention to detail.

LOLU

LOLU Esq is a London-based shoe brand that offers a unique blend of high-quality craftsmanship and contemporary design. The brand is known for its use of premium materials, such as leather and suede, and its focus on creating shoes that are both stylish and comfortable.

Southern Gents

Black Owned Men's Shoe Brands

Southern Gents is a great choice for men who are looking for shoes that are both stylish and well-crafted. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or just looking for a stylish everyday shoe, Southern Gents has options to choose from.

Uptown Yardie

Black Owned Men's Shoe Brands

Uptown Yardie is a British company inspired by Jamaican heritage, selling a lifestyle, captured through shoes and clothes.

Style by Blain

Style By Blain is a shoe store based in the Chestnut Hill community of Philadelphia. They sell a fine collection of footwear for gentlemen and ladies.

KOFFI NOIR

KOFFI NOIR is a brand that aims to deliver premium quality footwear handcrafted by the world’s finest artisans.

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Published on February 9, 2019October 17, 2023

1 min read

Black Owned Luxury Brands To Support Instead of GUCCI and Prada

Years after the Gucci and Prada debacle, apologies have been made as well as attempts to win back consumer trust. No matter the motive behind these gestures, the fact remains that there are too many Black owned luxury brands that offer great products for us to keep supporting the same brands religiously.