Black-owned businesses are gaining more visibility as America reassesses the brands we support and invest in. In the past, FunTimes has highlighted several different types of Black-owned businesses to support, but now we want to highlight Black-owned menswear brands. The world is blessed with many talented designers, especially male designers, and many are branching out and starting their own menswear brands. Take a look at our top five picks amongst many talented brands.
Bricks and Wood
Founded by Kacey Lynch and based in South Central, Los Angeles, Bricks and Wood offers a comfortable range of loungewear and goods to compliment relaxed lifestyles. Bricks and Wood is all about texture and feel, rather than flashy graphics and big statement pieces, inspired by the everyday walks of life within South Central. From t-shirts and; sweatshirts, to beanies and caps, Bricks and Wood has it all for effortless street style. Bricks and Wood describe themselves on their website as “we are more than a brand, we are a platform for the voices unheard.”
Armando Cabral
Looking for well-crafted footwear from a Black-owned brand? Look no further than Armando Cabral. From sandals to sneakers, this brand is based on classic Italian-crafted footwear made of high-quality leather. Cabral was born in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, but grew up in Portugal and went to school in England. He moved to New York City for a modelling job and has graced the industry’s top shows and campaigns, including Balmain, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, Dior Homme, Thom Browne, H&M, and J. Crew. He launched his eponymous footwear line in 2009 for the needs of the modern metropolitan man. In an interview with MMScene, Cabral described his footwear brand as “deeply inspired by timeless design, easy elegance, and luxurious comfort, the collection artfully merges minimalist design with intricate details and technical construction made by Italy’s finest artisans.”
Post-Imperial
Post-Imperial’s website describes the company as “a menswear brand with a strong sense of optimism for the future and a focus on color, pattern, and process.” Founder, Niyi Okuboyejo, moved to the U.S at the age of 14 years old from Nigeria. What makes Post-Imperial stand out from your average tie purveyor are its beautiful fabrics, which are made using a Yoruban technique called Adire dyeing. It’s a process so old that there are only a few “master dyers” left in all of Nigeria. “It’s called Post-Imperial because it’s about the time after old regimes, and creating for today,” said Okuboyejo in an interview with GQ. “I want to make products that people like because they like the way it looks. Then once they pick it up, they can start learning about the story.” Post-Imperial excels at combining native African design philosophies and modern menswear.
Diop
Co-founder Mapate Diop, a second-generation American, started Diop with a friend and describes Diop as ready-to-wear clothes inspired by the African diaspora that are intended to serve as a form of cultural education. “Our apparel will always reflect my experience living in the space between my heritage and my lifestyle as a first-generation American,” says the brand on their website. In an interview with Seen The Magazine, Diop said that the brand was able to donate over $80,000 to over 40 different local, regional, and national relief efforts and charitable initiatives focusing on COVID-19 relief with their mask sales. From tops, bucket hats, to facemasks, the bold fabrics take inspiration right from his mom’s sourcing of Ankara fabric in West Africa.
Daily Paper
Daily Paper is an Amsterdam-based fashion and lifestyle brand established in 2012 by three childhood friends, Hussein Suleiman, Abderrahmane Trabsini, and Jefferson Osei. It’s become one of the fastest-growing fashion brands out of Europe. Daily Paper is fueled by the rich heritage of African culture, wrapped in contemporary designs. With two collections a year focusing on both men and womenswear, Daily Paper offers timeless designs across accessories and ready-to-wear clothes.
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Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
