There’s an old adage around gifts that states, “it’s the thought that counts,” and in many ways, this holds both true and false. This year’s Holiday season and gifts will (and should) be different, because around the world, in every industry, and every facet of life, we’ve seen inconceivable changes since the beginning of the pandemic. Anything we buy at this moment in time will directly affect the businesses we’re buying from—which is why it’s more important than ever to support Black-owned fashion brands and beauty brands. The New York Times reported that only 12% percent of Black business owners received funding to help their business through this time. This fact doesn’t even remotely speak to how Black creatives struggle to break into and stay in the fashion industry. Just this year alone, as the world has grappled with systemic racism and police brutality, the industry has both grappled with addressing its lack of diversity while beloved brands have shuttered. As individuals, we may not be able to reform industries or financing, but we can support the brands that align with our values, and to practice conscious consumption. So ahead, you’ll find a few gift ideas that reinvigorate thoughtful gift gifting— if you are lucky enough to be able to give gifts to your loved ones this year, then make sure it’s from one of these 60 Black-owned fashion, beauty, and wellness brands.
Whether they are a wellness enthusiast or a latte lover, this trio set from Golde will undoubtedly get used before 2021.
It doesn’t get better for the makeup lover on your holiday shopping list than gifting Pat McGrath.
Everyone has that one friend obsessed with candles, so turn them on to the small Black-owned brand, Dear Sunday Co.
You can’t go wrong with thoughtful jewelry, especially when it’s from the Black, female-owned Utah based brand, Stella and Haas.
You know that person on your list that lives by their skincare routine? This eye mask set from KNC Beauty is the perfect stocking stuffer.
Everyone has that one person in their life who struggles to get a good night’s rest. Lucky for them, they can be pleasantly surprised to receive something from Goodnight Darling Co. The wellness and beauty brand specializes in products to help create a healthy wind-down bedtime routine.
Keep your favorite curly-haired cutie’s coils in check with a small gift set from Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair care brand, Pattern.
Not exactly sure what to get for the person that has everything? Try opting for the conversation-starting card games from the Black-owned brand Actually Curious. It’s a thought-provoking gift that can help take any relationship to the next level.
Another simple but practical gift idea for anyone who keeps her edges and hair always on point is a gorgeous satin wrap from the Los Angeles-based, Black-owned brand Glow by Daye.
Are you searching for an affordable yet impactful gift idea? Look no further than to essential oils. They’re great for anyone that’s dealing with stress or anxiety (hey, who isn’t these days). Just be sure to buy it from BLK + GRN, an e-commerce site that curates the very best in Black-owned beauty and wellness products.
Nothing about this holiday season is traditional, but if you’re looking for an idea that’s both unique, and practical, then gifting this stunning face mask from the Nigerian designer Tia Adeola is pretty much perfect.
For the skincare lover in your life, gifting them this mini kit from the Black-owned skincare company is a must.
This bucket hat is the perfect present for the most trend-obsessed person on your gift list.
Anyone that lives for bathtime will love receiving this bath soak blend from the U.K. based, Black-owned brand, Soapsmith.
Rihanna is always a good idea—especially when you’re gifting glowy Fenty beauty products.
It doesn’t get better for art, fashion, and home décor lovers than coffee table books, which is Tyler Mitchell’s newest photo collection ranks high on our list. Not only is he the first Black photographer to shoot a Vogue cover in its entire history, but his work showcases the beauty of the Black diaspora.
For the non-binary trailblazer on your list, we recommend a piece from the Los Angeles based, unisex, Black-owned brand, Phlemuns. With fun prints and eccentric pieces, any item you gift from this brand is one-of-a-kind, just like them.
Founded by the former stylist Neumi Anekhe, Oma The Label specializes in affordable yet quality jewelry that anyone on your list would be overjoyed to receive.
You know that auntie that always has her nails done? Give her the gift of great at-home manicures with nail lacquer from the Black-owned beauty brand, Mischo Beauty.
Oh, you thought this was just a gift guide for the adults on your list? Now your favorite little one can be decked out (and downright cozy) in the rising Black-owned fashion brand, Hanifa.
Looking for a gift for the more sustainable and ethically minded shopper on your list? Soko jewelry is a must as they work with Kenyan artisans to produce each piece and source metals locally and ethically.
Yes, that family member definitely has good genes, but they also probably have an incredible skincare regimen. If you know they appreciate great products but aren’t sure where to start, then we highly recommend this set from Shani Darden.
For the jewelry collector on your list, another small, Astoria-based jewelry brand to have on your radar is Yam. Specializing in up-cycled stylish pieces, gifting anything from this Black-owned brand is a sure-fire way to impress.
For the woman on your list who’s always wearing bold patterns or accessories, you’ll want to give her something from the sustainable, made-to-order brand Autumn Adeigbo.
For the fashion-girl on your list, opting for a rising brand like Kai Collective is a sure-fire way to get her attention.
If you’re trying to nail down the cool auntie label, then gifting from the Amsterdam-based Daily Paper is necessary. The Black-owned and designed brand specializes in contemporary women and menswear pieces that range from classic to trendy—making it the prime place to find a present.
As the legalization of CBD and cannabis products continues across the country, it’s more important than ever to purchase from minority-owned companies as they have been systematically criminalized and continuously excluded from a booming industry. One brand you can shop for your CBD beauty and wellness needs is the female-founded wellness label, Brown Girl Jane.
Looking for a gift that gives back to the community? Look no further than Brandon Blackwood’s viral bag. While it’s waitlisted at the moment, a portion of the proceeds of each bag will go towards the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights to provide pro bono legal assistance for minority communities.
Be it your partner, your father, or friend, the one thing everyone can admit is that they’ve missed the ability to go frequently to their barbershop. If that’s the case for your loved ones, then giving them a shaving set from the Black-owned grooming company Bevel is a perfect idea.
If you’re trying to attain them Auntie vibes, then gifting or getting the most sought after, fast-selling, Telfar shopping tote is a surefire way to win big. I promise you this is a gift that the most fashionable person on your gift list will love— if you can get your hands on it.
Editors, fashion girls, and posh women around the world love Tove studio. If you’re looking for a simple yet timeless gift idea, then this chocolate-colored silk scarf is perfect.
If you’re looking for a simple gift for the men in your life, don’t fret. Turning to the Black-Owned brand, Good Man is a no-fail resource for everything from cozy cardigans to cool kicks.
Breaking into the fashion industry is no easy feat—which is why it’s crucial to support up-and-coming designers. And one brand to keep an eye on is William Okpo. Founded by two Nigerian sisters, the brand specializes in stunning pieces that any style-savvy girl will appreciate.
For fragrance lovers, you’ll want to scoop up a scent from the Black-owned brand, Chris Collins. We especially enjoy this blend of plum and cognac.
One of my favorite jewelry brands, Omi Woods, specializes in ethically sourced gold and silver pieces ranging from demi-fine to fine karat count. You can feel good gifting any piece of jewelry from the brand, knowing it’s a quality piece that can be handed down for generations to come.
Searching for the perfect gift for the person in your life that could easily give Rihanna a run for her money? Opt for a bedazzled, one-of-a-kind durag from Los Angeles based designer CheyenneKimora.
For the niece or friend who follows politics and fashion, the best gift ideas touch both of her interests. And this bag from the Black-owned Los Angeles based clothing line, Cise, is the perfect gift as the brand continues to donate to HBCU C.A.R.E.S. and the Anti-Racism Fund.
For the host or hostess on your list, a stunning set of luxury, hand-blown, colored glassware from the Black-owned brand Estelle is the perfect gift.
For the person in your life that loves to curl up on the couch or is frequently cold, an oversized, soft cardigan is the perfect gift idea. But what makes this piece even more remarkable is that it’s from a Toronto-based Black-owned brand, so you can feel good gifting it.
You know the woman on your list that always looks like she could have starred in an episode of Girlfriends or Sex and The City? Well, gifting her a pair of shoes from the Black-owned luxury footwear brand Chelsea Paris is bound to get you an invite to the next brunch date.
The flyest person on your gift list that always comes serving a streetwear look? Gift them Pyer Moss—guarantee you’ll be the favorite relative.
Demi-fine and fine jewelry is not typically space you’d expect to see Black founders, but the New York-based couple and co-designers Kristin and Kofi Essel are changing that with their brand, Third Crown. Designing both men’s and women’s jewelry, they’ve been spotted on shows like Insecure and will be appreciated by jewelry lovers in your life.
For the most eclectic person on your list, the best place to shop for their gift is from the made-to-order brand, Edas. Specializing in unique accessories and home goods, you can find a piece they’re bound to love.
Fe Noel has long been a fan-favorite among fashion girls, and this luxurious robe will be their favorite gift guaranteed.
Located out of Los Angeles, the online Black-owned marketplace Well Unknown curates up-and-coming brands to keep on your radar. So if you’re shopping for someone who is always wearing the next upcoming brand, then you’ll want to give them something from Well Unknown.
What happens when a former stylist starts her own brand? You get Petit Kouraj. Creating hand-knitted handbags that rival art, this Black-owned brand has become beloved among fashion-girls and is a great gift idea for anyone who loves unique pieces.
If you’ve seen our cover story with Issa Rae, you probably noticed Jason Rembert styled the shoot. But what you might not have known is that the celebrity stylist also recently launched his own colorful collection that makes for the perfect gift for anyone on your list.
Remember when Michelle Obama stunned the world with her Vote Necklace? That was Bychari. And it just so happens that you can give a little statement necklace to your loved one, too.
Who What Wear editors live for rising brands, and Thebe Magugu is at the top of our list. The South African luxury label specializes in sleek ready-to-wear pieces that your most fashionable friend would be delighted to receive.
At the helm of leading change in the fashion industry, Brother Vellies designer Aurora James is someone you’ll want to watch (and support). She not only founded the 15% pledge, which is calling for more Black-owned brands to be supported across the fashion industry, but each piece created by her label is hand-made by African artisans.
The best art comes from the most unexpected places, and that is very much true of the Jamaican-born founder and designer, Matthew Harris of Mateo. Specializing in fine jewelry using diamonds and precious stones for men and women, this brand gives meaning to the phrase wearable art.
If you’re looking for a fashionable yet practical gift idea, look no further than this cute cardigan from Wales Bonner.
You’d never guess that a political science major would be behind one of the most budding demi-fine and fine jewelry brands of the moment, but that’s Jameel Mohammed’s story. Founded in 2016, Khiry is a brand that creates the perfect jewelry for any occasion and can be found on DTC or Black-owned commerce sites like McMullen.
The best gifts often are handmade, like this bag from Anima Iris. The rising luxury Black-owned handbag brand is not only sustainable and operates off a zero-waste model, but each classic piece is also handcrafted by professionals in Senegal, resulting in a thoughtful bag from its conception to when you gift it.
Based out of Los Angeles, the fine jewelry brand White Space is one to watch. It not only is it Black-owned but also sources ethically made materials and leans on an array of artisans based in the United States.
Give them the gift of cashmere from the iconic Paris-based Caribbean designers behind Nina Ricci.
You’ve made it this far, and you might still be wondering—what should I get her? For your most stylish confidant, we recommend giving her a piece from the luxury fashion designer, LaQuan Smith. We promise it won’t disappoint.
Let’s be real; diamonds are a dream gift. And why not make their dreams come true while also supporting the Black-owned fine jewelry brand Harwell Godfrey?
Luxury and street style lovers alike would be hard-pressed to pretend like they didn’t write a letter to Santa asking for an Off-White piece. He may not get down the chimney, but you can wrap the bag.
