36 Noteworthy Black-Owned Footwear Brands to Step Into Now
From Brother Vellies, Heron Preston, Telfar, and many more.
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No matter what trend cycle we’re in, supporting a diverse range of designers and makers is something that will never go out of style. And many fashion pioneers and innovators in the fashion space are Black.
With some of the most popular brands today being Telfar, Brandon Blackwood, and Hanifa, the traction and support for this sector of creatives within the fashion industry is growing. Although more and more Black-owned footwear designers, and designers in general for that matter, are calling for more visibility to Black-owned brands, it's important that we show them support now and not wait until after their respective brands garner attention.
This list is just a compilation of some of the hottest Black-owned shoe brands that you can get right now. These designers have infused their innate culture into the structure and presentation of these items. Whether you’re looking to spread equity with your spending or you’re looking for more diverse brands to support, don’t worry, we have you covered. If you’re looking for a new pair of steppers that will have people turning their heads, this is the shopping list to study. From fuzzy slippers and thick leather ankle boots to futuristic runners, these brands will meet all of your shoe needs.
AM:PM
Founded in London, AM:PM makes heels for the modern woman. From strappy sandals to slick wedges, the brand has a distinct aesthetic that feels reminiscent of styles from the early aughts.
Price Range: $300-$325
Sunni Sunni
Founded by Sunni Dixon, Sunni Sunni is a unisex brand known for its boot, named Reese, which has a square-toe shape and chunky block heel. They come in multiple colors, patterns, and heel heights and give off a nice androgynous feel.
Price Range: $550-$1400
Balmain
Originally founded by Pierre Balmain in 1945 in France, Balmain is under the creative control of Olivier Rousteing—who has been at the forefront of the brand for more than a decade now. The brand focuses on selling luxury sneakers, heels, boots, and flats that are chic and timeless.
Price Range: $750-$3750+
Amina Abdul Jillil
What happens when a dancer who shared the stage with Janet Jackson and Brittney Spears creates a shoe line? Meet Aminah Abdul-Jillil, who launched her namesake label in August 2012. This feminine brand offers the prettiest heels to spice up your life. Her motto, “try something different,” resonates loudly with each shoe.
Price Range: $295-$998
Armando Cabral
Armando Cabral is a Guinea-Bissau born fashion model turned designer. With a specialty in leather and fine workings, he released his first footwear collection in 2009. He prides himself on being able to connect with artisans in order to continue to maximize his space in the luxury mens footwear market. If you are looking for something carefully constructed and subtly show-stopping, Armando has got it.
Price Range: $455-$595
BrandBlack
David Raysse is the founder of this self-explanatory namesake brand. He was always a huge sneakerhead before even considering venturing into this business. He worked in the industry long before he created the brand, lending his mind and eye to several footwear labels. Now David himself provides the market with creative athletic footwear styles under Brandblack and allows customers to add a pop of life to their rotation.
Price Range: $78-$295
Brother Vellies
From Ghana with love, Brother Vellies is the powerhouse brand founded by Aurora James in 2013. From vegetable tanned leathers, soiling from recycled tires, to floral dyed feathers, the hyper-sustainable label honors the artisans who craft its shoes (plus bags, small leather goods, and socks too).
Price Range: $195 - $1,195
BYDOSE
Newly launched brand BYDOSE is keeping it simple and offering chic, minimal footwear that you’ll never want to let go of. These luxury shoes are just as beautiful on your feet as they are off.
Price Range: $212 - $333
Chelsea Paris
Handcrafted in Italy, Chelsea Paris is created out of inspiration from the designer’s Nigerian heritage. Famously her shoes were seen down the runways of Bibhu Mohaptra’s SS20 collection. Chelsea Paris is certainly a fashion favorite.
Price Range: $295 - $595
Duckie Confetti
Comfortable, cozy, and fashionable. What we all need right now are these luxurious furry slides crafted by the talented Duckie Confetti. A designer and tastemaker, Confetti specializes in cozy slippers. You’ll definitely feel like somebody important walking around in his styles.
Price Range: $100 and under
FETE-ish
Who said comfort had to be boring? FETE-ish offers the cutest sandals with a unique appeal. From colorful, minimal straps to cute leather flowers and butterflies, these sandals are sure to be a conversation starter.
Price Range: $69-$150
Fini
Fini is a New York based Ethiopian-American brand, that specializes in a broad range of footwear. From knee-high boots to court sneakers, Fini has a luxurious collection. Debuted in 2018, so relatively fresh, Fini has proved themself to be a heavy-hitter.
Price Range: $149, $1,100
Hanifa
Hanifa is taking the fashion industry by storm with Anifa Mvuemba’s lavishly sophisticated and fun pieces. Launched at the founder's ripe age of 21, Hanifa has been emphasizing a women’s versatility since 2011. This is a label for the fun and chic, everybody should have Hanifa on their personal radar.
Price Range: $369-$679
Heron Preston
Heron Preston wears many hats– he’s a designer, DJ, art director and a collaborator who sources inspiration from sustainable products and technology. He founded his eponymous label in 2016 and it soared like a rocket, creating shoes that continues to push boundaries.
Price Range: $200 - $1,150
Jessica Rich
Jessica Rich’s brand is another celeb favorite, seen on Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and Saweetie, just to name a few. Rich’s heels primarily incorporate the use of PVC. She debuted her “Transparent” line in 2017 in response to her customer’s ongoing love of the material, and it has been history ever since.
Price Range: $105- $295
J.J. Gray
Founder and CEO, Jessica Perdomo believes that “everyone deserves to have a pair of shoes on their feet that feels good to wear and makes them feel good too.” Each pair offers a classic and timeless approach to footwear design.
Price Range: $350-$1,100
Jo-Anne Vernay
Who knew that a pineapple could have so many uses? Founder of Jo-Anne Vernay, Dyandra Raye, created unique shoes using one our favorite summertime fruits. It goes to show that the boundaries of luxury vegan footwear are limitless. Each shoe is made of pineapple leaf fibers, along with other sustainable materials like organic cotton.
Price Range: $498
Kahmune
Kahmune’s mission is for all women to have nude shoes that embrace true diversity, not just one skin tone. Motivated by the lack of nudes for darker skin tones, designer, Jamela A. Acheampong created Kahmune. The brand offers ten shades with names like Goa, Rio, Kumasi, Douala, and Juba, and offers makeup matches to help you pick your right shade. Personalization at its best!
Price Range: $235-$475
Kendall Miles Designs
Launched in 2015, Chicago native Kendall Miles partners with family-owned factories in Italy to offer shoes that are put comfort first. Her luxury stilettos come with the bonus of double-padded leather insoles.
Price Range: $325-$975
Keeyahri
Designer and artistic director Keya Martin seeks to represent dynamic women with an eclectic sensibility. Wearing a pair of Keeyahri shoes will certainly get noticed, as each pair is crafted with sculptural heels, hand-applied feathers, and more statement-making details.
Price Range: $695-$1,970
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