A Black Girl And Her Black Owned Things

"Black skin, black braids; Black waves, black days; Black baes, black things; These are black-owned things," singer Solange once proclaimed with effortless confidence in her hit song "Almeda." It's such an obvious declaration, yet so necessary to emphasize repeatedly. As a young Black girl, I feel those lyrics now more than ever. It's no secret that a significant portion of today's biggest trends is tied to the Black community, in one way or another, especially in the world of fashion. The Black effect has been and will always be relevant, from logomania pieces that dominate our closets to the prominent sneaker culture that saturates our Instagram feeds. As part of my yearly Black History Month series, I decided to highlight the importance of accessories to Black women and how much more meaningful they become when they're Black-owned.

As a Black creative in fashion, I never really grasped the importance of buying from Black-owned businesses until the spring of 2020. Shortly after the social unrest following the senseless murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, the call to start support BOBs heightened tremendously. Posting black squares no longer sufficed, and our community needed more action. With the creation of stylist Zerina Akers's Black Owned Everything network, I was in complete awe at how many brands our community has birthed, and the unmatched creativity each brand possessed. From Hanifa's figure-flattering dresses to the iconic Telfar and Brandon Blackwood that dominate the accessory market, it's been a joy to see how imaginative and innovative we are. While "buying Black" was a fleeting trend for some fashion lovers, I'm proud to say that three years in, more than half of my wardrobe consists of Black owned pieces — particularly in the bag department. It's not a shopping addiction, but a testament to how far my community has come. Growing up, I didn't really wear pieces from BOBs, but I know that with my collection, I'll be able to afford that luxury to my future children (especially since they'll be so stylish).

If you're an accessory lover like me, you can understand the amount of bags displayed in the above visuals. As pictured, I wore a geometric dress from Sammy B Designs, gold platform heels, and a few of my favorite Black-owned bags. From the NAYR Studio's iconic love totes to the intricacies of Yaito's internet-breaking knot bags, these styles are wardrobe must-haves. A woman's handbag is essential to any good outfit, and the fact that these are Black-owned makes me enjoy the art of dressing so much more.

The growth of successful Black-owned businesses in fashion has made me even more proud to be Black, and I can't wait to see what's next. As Nina Simone said, "Young, gifted and black. Oh, what a lovely precious dream".

Shop the Look:

Dress: Sammy B Designs

Knot Bags: Yaito

Heart Bags: NAYR Studio

Mini Bags: Brandon Blackwood

Bandana Bag: Nicolette Nichelle

Mini and Large Bags: Telfar Global

Mini Grey Bag: Jumz Accessories

Creative Direction & Photos: Noah Parris (my brother is the goat!)

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11 {NIV}

Stay tuned for more! Much love and peace,

- Nay.