You can never have too many bags, especially considering the fact that different occasions require different accessories. A messenger bag is the perfect size to hold your work essentials, but it is too large and clunky for a night out. A clutch is a statement accessory designed to accentuate your ‘fit, plus carry small items, like lip glosses, credit cards, and emergency cash. It doesn’t pair well for casual outings or travel, as its small size makes it impractical. Building a collection of bags — from shoulder bags to backpacks — is essential when establishing a capsule wardrobe.
Naturally, finding the right bag for your style and occasion is no small feat. The accessory market is so saturated that choice paralysis is inevitable. But knowing what to look for makes it easier! Hence, we’ve curated this list of the best Black-owned bag brands. All designer brands are OK, but we’re fans of these specific brands due to their durability, versatility, style, functionality, and affordable price range. Below, you’ll find the crème de la crème of designer handbags to shop.
1. Telfar
Telfar, aka the “Bushwick Birkin,” won our hearts in 2020 and has been a staple bag ever since. Almost everyone you know (and don’t) owns a Telfar. The bag is an affordable replica of the six-figured price Birkin and comes in various colors and designs, from classic black to monogram jacquard. There’s a Telfar for every style and aesthetic. Wear the mini Telfar to the club or pack your work essentials in the larger-sized totes — options are endless.
2. Brandon Blackwood
Brandon Blackwood is another brand that took us by storm during the early days of the pandemic. The Brooklyn-based designer is best known for his “End Systemic Racism” totes worn by Kim Kardashian, Winnie Harlow, and more. However, his inventory spans more than the celebrity-beloved tote and includes a lineup of handbags, clutches, and messengers. Even if you’re not a bag person, there are other accessories like wallets, sunnies, makeup bags, and apparel to shop, too.
3. Yvonne Koné
Need a classic bag for work trips, casual shopping, and traveling? Look no further than Yvonne Koné, a Black-owned luxury bag brand specializing in key wardrobe staples. Investment is the heart of this luxury label. All goods are constructed from Italian leather and feature a minimalist Danish design with a hint of color — a nod to her Ivory Coast roots. The idea behind her bags is sensibility and practicality: to have a chic accessory that fits seamlessly into your wardrobe.
4. Made by Ciriaco
Name a more visually stunning accessory than Made by Ciriaco’s Ashley Minimal Baguette. The one-shoulder bag has an asymmetrical zipper with a diagonal zipper that spells “Ciriaco.” It’s chic, playful, and so New York City. While the Big Apple is at the forefront of the design, the bag is really meant to make a statement more than anything else.
“You know how you can tell a Prada baguette from five miles away? I wanted to give that same statement with Ciriaco,” said Ashley Ciriaco, the founder of Made by Ciriaco, per Essence. “You just know from the shape alone without having to get so close.”
The baguette is the brand’s bestseller, but you can also shop the brand’s other accessories and apparel, such as baguette-shaped earrings, multi-pocket baguettes, and biker jackets.
5. Silver & Riley
For travel, a night out, or a regular work day, there’s a bag at Silver & Riley that will fit your style. The brand prides itself on providing Italian leather luxury goods that are both functional and stylish. Most of their collections are convertible and can be worn in four ways — crossbody, tote, top handle, and backpack — eliminating the need for multiple bags. You don’t need to spend your coins on numerous pieces when you can opt for their top-notch handbags that work for any outing.
If you’re influenced after reading through this list of Black-owned bag brands, then what are you waiting for? Each brand has a bag for your aesthetic, whether that’s cottagecore, maximism, or corporate Barbie. So, the next time you’re out shopping for a new accessory, may we suggest checking this list first?
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