Courtesy of Designer
A handbag can be our most prized possession, a piece of art, or the everyday tote you rely on more than your BFF. The things we carry hold weight, both literally and emotionally, so make it a priority to diversify your closet. And with 2022 on the horizon, it’s time to commit to making intentional fashion choices. Black people matter and so do the businesses they own. We rounded up 41 Black-owned handbag brands to know, support, and love. From fashion industry favorites like Brother Vellies to indie brands you should be paying attention to, click through our gallery, and remember to #BuyBlack.
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Murway
Founder Denishio Murray established Murway in 2020 with artistry at its core. Partnering with traditional Italian workshops, Murray marries together “the essence of black style and culture” with European leather craftsmanship.
MAX+min
As suggested by the brand’s name, Max+min is founder and designer Tiarra Smallwood’s expression of minimalistic silhouettes with maximalist touches. Based in New York, her aim is to upend the disillusionment that “Black-owned brands are not or can not be luxury.”
Zashadu
After falling in love with her mother’s purse at the age of 8, Zainab Ashadu began a career that spanned from art to acting to architecture to now, creative director of Zashadu. The Lagos-based accessories brand is made using traditional techniques in community-driven workshops of local artisans. The result? Beautifully made bags that highlight its sustainable leathers and farmed exotics, exuding a quiet glamour.
Homage
Everything Antoine Manning creates for Homage is done with purpose. The Jamaican American accessories designer wants to use his brand as something “charged with sociopolitical intention. His core style, the Ova, represents just that. Each bag has its own poem written by Manning himself, titled with names like “Passion,” for this pink hue, “Tranquility” in green, and “Solidarity” in brown.
Sarep + Rose
Sarep + Rose wants to make “Made in Africa” mainstream. The sustainable lifestyle brand creates job opportunities across Africa, hiring employees from artisanal collectives and fair trade factories to create handbags and home goods made from “leathers rescued from waste, natural grasses, and handwoven culturally significant textiles.”
Want Les Essentials
For all of your practical, minimalist needs, look no further than Want Les Essentials. Since 2007, the Montreal-based brand has been committed to creating timeless (and genderless) backpacks, travel bags, wallets, and everything in between.
Peryton
The seductive bags by Peryton are, to put it succinctly, very sexy. With a contrast of hard lines and soft materials, the undulating silhouettes of these handmade bags make them works of art. Invest in one and be prepared to not only own it for life but also to be reeling in a lifetime of compliments.
CISE
Supporting his community is one of the top priorities for Van Putten, who originally founded CISE as a branding agency. In the wake of George Floyd’s murder and the nationwide uprisings that followed, Putten designed “Protect Black People” merchandise to raise money for anti-racism funds. Today, the brand continues to do the work while designing cult-favorite accessories and clothes in the process.
Ree Projects
Luxury handbags don’t get much better than Ree Projects. Handcrafted in Italy and founded in Amsterdam by Desiree Kleinen, Ree Projects’ sculptural bags are the type you Instagram on equally chic furniture.
Bruce Glen
To help combat the overproduction problem in the fashion industry, Bruce Glen partners with Resonance Brands. With everything made to order, the sustainable manufacturing system seeks to not only minimize waste with digital printing but to make items with biodegradable materials in factories that pay a living wage.
Silver & Riley
As a DTC brand, Silver & Riley strives to make quality, luxury bags akin to its high-end counterparts—but without the bloated price tags. Founder Lola Banjo created styles that match her lifestyle, so her luxe travel and fashion bags are intended to be worn daily and last a lifetime.
Brother Vellies
You might know Brother Vellies for its beautiful shoes, but the brand’s unique and stylish handbags are not to be missed. These luxury handbags are an industry favorite, crafted with the goal of continuing African design practices. Backed by Aurora James, the designer is notable for creating economic equity for Black brands with 15 Percent Pledge, an organization that pushes retailers to reserve 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
Brandon Blackwood
Brandon Blackwood was born and bred between New York City and Tokyo, infusing his namesake label with a universal appeal. His designs vary so there’s something for everyone, but look to him if you want tight, clean, and boxy silhouettes like our favorite style, the Kuei top handle.
Mateo NY
We’ve sung the praises of Matthew Harris’ jewelry line Mateo before, but his expansion into handbags is not to be missed. His bags follow the same minimalist through-line of his architecturally-inspired jewelry in the form of embossed croc totes and ladylike box bags.
Amina Iris
“Like the palm oil reds of Cameroon’s traditional Bamileke cloth, or the notable geometric shapes of Ghana’s kente, Africa’s bold history is reflected in the molds of our pieces,” Amina Iris’ landing page states. Handcrafted in Dakar, Senegal by seasoned craftsmen, this handbag line is the brainchild of designer Wilglory. Expect the unexpected with hexagon shapes, limited-edition metallic leathers, and more. If that’s not enough, you can even customize a bag to suit your tastes.
Petit Kouraj
Fashion stylist Nasrin Jean-Baptiste created Petit Kouraj—Haitian Creole for “little courage”—and we can’t wait to see what’s next for the burgeoning brand. The designer was born in London, raised by Haitian parents, and is currently based in Brooklyn, so her design sensibility pulls from all of these cities and beyond. Think elevated mesh bags, dipped in natural dyes and embellished with seashells.
Yvonne Koné
Luxe doesn’t even begin to describe Yvonne Koné’s aesthetic. Her supple leather goods are made in Italy, inspired by Danish minimalism, and infused with colors sourced from her Ivory Coast lineage. Bonus point: Her Instagram also doubles as a serious source for interior design inspiration.
AAKS
Launched in 2014 by Ghana native Akosua Afriyie-Kumi’s, AAKS is a true labor of love that offers marvelously crafted basket bags (and home goods!). These woven beauties can found in sixty stores worldwide, preserving traditional techniques while creating jobs in Africa.
Agnes Badoo
Classically made leather goods are what you will find with Agnes Baddoo. The designer and stylist created her line with the focus on timelessness. These handbags are designed for everyday use to get you from point A to point B.
Anima Iris
Inspired by matriarchs of her past, Anima Iris is a handbag brand crafted in Senegal. Holding to her beliefs and promises of sustainability, Anima Iris’ manufacturing process adopted a zero-waste model, which ensures no materials are wasted, so no two bags are the same.
Asata Maisé
Every so often a brand will burst onto the scene offering a special piece of magic This is Asata Maisé, the namesake label for a young black designer who specializes in sustainability with a vintage feel via one of a kind, patchwork designs. Based in Delaware, Maisé has been designing since she was 14, and already her creations ell out like hotcakes. Consider yourself blessed if you get a hold of one of her items.
Ashya
Pronounced “agh-shya”, ASHYA was established in 2017 by co-founders Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece. Their collection of unisex travel accessories exude the brand’s motto: “Ode To Exploration.” Ultimately, ASHYA wants you to be your best self navigating this world in chic leather waist bags and accessories.
Cheyenne Kimora
Cheyenne Kimora is taking the term “bling bling” to the next level in 2020. The self-taught designer is based in Los Angles and established her eponymous brand in 2008. She is known for her signature crystal mini bags, but don’t sleep on her blinged out hats, durags, and more one-of-a-kind denim pieces . If you are addicted to handbags, be sure to snag one of these babies for your revered collection.
Edas
Edas seeks to accommodate the everyday eclectic. Designed by Sade Mims, the brand’s sleek and feminine handbags standout amongst the rest.
Haiti Design Co.
Guided by an old Haitian proverb, “men anpil, chay pa lou,” which means “many hands make the load light,” Haiti Designs Co. focuses on making a lasting impact. Rooted in sustainable effort since 2014, the brand partners with and houses production teams that work with various artisans to create their leather handbags.
Helmer
Together, a mother and her two daughters are the force behind the handbag brand Helmer. Their vision is to bridge harmony and heritage with uniquely crafted handbags, inspired by their culture and love for travel. To dreamers everywhere, this bag is for you.
Jumz Accessories
Caution: here’s your next bag addiction! Ethically handmade in Lagos and founded in 2018, Jumz Accessories makes contemporary woman bags inspired by African heritage. You can get it all here, from beaded clutches to woven basket bags, with most styles capping off around $100.
KAYADUA
Ghanian Eyiwaa Agyekumhene is a designer with a purpose to honor the craftsmanship of her elders while appealing to all audiences. Each handmade piece tells a beautiful story.
Kintu New York
Minimalist and vibrant bags for the practical shopper are what you will find by Kintu. These bags are consciously designed with vegetable tanned leather, appealing to the dynamic urban wearer.
Love, Cortnie
A week after learning to sew, Cortnie opened up her Etsy shop. Since then, she’s created statement clutches in various colors and textiles (our current fave is lime green calf hair), as well as crossbody, waist and bucket bags. A girl’s gotta have options!
Mifland
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Mifland Leather Goods offers leather accessories that specialize in form and function. With architecturally inspired details, each bag is thoughtfully constructed to meet all of your needs.
Mowalola
Mowalola Ogunlesi was named design director of the upcoming Yeezy and Gap collaboration, but the designer’s own label is just as hot. Her eponymous label evokes that ’90s cool— her always-sold-out Bundle Bags are a true testament of that.
Off-White
By now you can probably recognize an Off-White bag by its arrowed “X”, adorned binder clip, or cheeky quotation marks. An Off-White bag has become a modern classic, and will forever have a place in histroy thanks to the late designer Virgil Abloh, known for subverting the industry with his poignant, irreverent, and inclusive approach to high fashion.
Peju Obasa
Peju Obasa’s playful bags are exactly what we need to keep us together for the rest of the 2020. Make sure you peep her Instagram page, filled with cheeky “virtual styling sessions” with the designer’s dream clients.
ROOP
Inspired by Japanese Furoshiki bags, Roop makes the cutest bundles of joy made from deadstock fabrics. Elastic scrunchie handles makes carrying this brand so much fun.
SHEKUDO
Made locally in Lagos, Nigeria, Shekudo focuses on making wearable art while incorporating age-old techniques. Not only do their bags make a visual statement, but the brand aims to create a global sisterhood of Shekudo wearers, empowering and celebrating women across the world.
Telfar
Affectionately known as the Bushwick Birkin, Telfar bags are not just for you, but for everyone. Seriously, the cult following includes New York Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. These bags are hot like fire, but if you don’t believe me, check out the brand’s bag security program.
Tongoro
Favored by celebrities like Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, and Alicia Keys, Tongoro is a brand to watch. The Senegal-based brand is known for its beautiful RTW pieces, so it’s no question that its handbags are equally exquisite.
Vavvoune
Brooklyn based Vavvoune, pronounced vav-une, is a whole mood. Behind these leather goods is Valerie Blaise, a self-taught designer convincing us that both lavender and pea green is a neutral.
Yaito
Paisley and the bandana print made a forceful comeback this year, and they were the source of inspiration for Yaito’s latest designs.
Zashadu
Quiet elegance and unabashed glamour is what you will find with Zashadu handbags. Created in Lagos, Nigeria, Zashadu is redefining luxury, where traditional techniques are harnessed by artisan using locally sourced materials.
Kia Goosby Kia Goosby is a Fashion Editor for Hearst Fashion Group, who forever loves Atlanta, R&B music, believes butter with a side of bread makes everything better, and just so happens to cover all things in fashion for her main 9 to 5. Justine Carreon Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again.
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