80 Black-Led Fashion Brands And Stores To Support Now and Always

Historically, the fashion industry has been a fickle friend to the Black community. Even as it borrows freely from Black culture, strategically aligning itself with key figures to capitalize on the demand for surface-level diversity, Black faces remain conspicuously absent from the boardrooms where decisions are made and the design studios where fashion comes to life.

Over the last few years, cries for a long-overdue assessment of the industry’s inability to make significant inroads when it comes to embracing inclusivity have reached a fever pitch. A lot of (very public) handwringing has followed. New initiatives were announced. Committees were convened. And while efforts like the 15 Percent Pledge and organizations like the Black in Fashion Council represent very real strides forward, there’s still much to be done. Read more at Esquire.