• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out

Intelligencer

  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Ideas

The Cut

  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power

Vulture

  • TV
  • Movies
  • Comedy
  • Music
  • Books
  • Art
  • Theater
  • What to Stream

Curbed

  • Cityscape
  • Design Hunting
  • The Real Estate
  • Corner Shop

The Strategist

  • Gift Guides
  • Sales
  • Beauty
  • Home
  • Kitchen + Dining
  • Fashion
  • Travel
  • Tech + Electronics
  • Fitness
  • Kids & Babies

Grub Street

  • Restaurants & Bars
  • The Thousand Best

The Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Crossword
  • Subscribe
  • Gift Subscriptions
  • Buy Back Issues

More

  • The Urbanist
  • Best of New York
  • Videos
  • Best Doctors
  • Top Rated Lawyers
  • Newsletters
  • About
  • Subscribe
Subscribe Give A Gift

Intelligencer

  • Politics
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Ideas

The Cut

  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power

Vulture

  • TV
  • Movies
  • Comedy
  • Music
  • Books
  • Art
  • Theater
  • What to Stream

Curbed

  • Cityscape
  • Design Hunting
  • The Real Estate
  • Corner Shop

The Strategist

  • Gift Guides
  • Sales
  • Beauty
  • Home
  • Kitchen + Dining
  • Fashion
  • Travel
  • Tech + Electronics
  • Fitness
  • Kids & Babies

Grub Street

  • Restaurants & Bars
  • The Thousand Best

The Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Crossword
  • Subscribe
  • Gift Subscriptions
  • Buy Back Issues

More

  • The Urbanist
  • Best of New York
  • Videos
  • Best Doctors
  • Top Rated Lawyers
  • Newsletters
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
+Comments Leave a Comment
Advertiser Content from
This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.
Sponsored By Shop Small by American Express Sponsored By Shop Small by American Express
Sept. 15, 2020

9 Small Black-Owned Fashion Stores to Shop Right Now

By Audrey Williams

Together with American Express, we’re highlighting some of the best Black-owned small businesses across the nation.

Together with American Express, we’re highlighting some of the best Black-owned small businesses across the nation.

Photo: Photos courtesy of Lynette Lashawn of Off The Hanger, Jackie Adams of Melodrama Boutique, and Denier Watson and Romie Watson of Senseless

In its most simple form, fashion is a fun expression of personality and style. But when wearing an outfit with pieces found at a small Black-owned shop, it becomes something more: a statement of your values as a consumer, and a testament to how dedicated you are to finding the right item even when it takes more time, more effort, and maybe a few more dollars.

And these days, when small Black-owned businesses are facing more challenges than ever before, it just makes sense to support them whenever and however you can. If that means treating yourself to a sweater you’ve been eyeing for a while, well, why not? American Express is urging us all to shop these small, local businesses, so we’ve partnered with them to round up a few of the best Black-owned fashion shops across the U.S. that should be on your radar.

Shopping at one of these stores may be an excuse to pick up a stylish new piece, but to small shop owners can be a significant act of support. Whether you shop online, make an in-store appointment, or stop by for a socially-distant shopping experience, consider snagging your next wardrobe addition from one of these stores — you won’t regret it.

Lettie Gooch, Washington, D.C.

Lettie Gooch gets its unforgettable name from shop owner Theresa Watts’s grandmother. Since its opening, the shop has been a place to find unique pieces from emerging designers, with nothing priced over $300. Watts also stocks bath and body care, home goods, and jewelry.

taylor jay, Oakland, CA

More than just a shop, taylor jay is a collection. The pieces sold out of this Bay Area store are designed by the owner (who carries the same name), and items are ethically sourced and made by a fair labor factory in Oakland. Jay’s goal was to produce environmentally safe garments made of eco-friendly textiles while creating an inclusive fashion brand for everyone.

Queen Anna House of Fashion, Minneapolis, MN

Take everything you love about shopping, and Queen Anna House of Fashion amplifies it. With a personalized concierge styling service, curated collections, and a store designed with art, gold accents, and contemporary furniture, shopping here is as much about the experience as it is walking away with a new dress.

Back to My Roots Clothing

Back To My Roots Clothing, Del City, OK

When Lakeitha Dukes opened her store, she knew it needed to be bigger than her own dreams. “I wanted a place, not only for myself, but for others,” she said. Within her Pan-African clothing boutique, Dukes houses nine other Black-owned businesses to help them reach out to new customers from the storefront.

Jackie Adams

Melodrama Boutique, Houston, TX

In business since 2002, Melodrama Boutique has a loyal following in Houston. You can find colorful, vacation-worthy dresses, artful jewelry, and statement tees in store and online. And for a more personalized experience, book a complementary styling session with owner and stylist Jackie Adams.

Denier Watson and Romie Watson

Senseless, Pittsburgh, PA

For the vintage-loving sneakerhead, Senseless is a gold mine. You can find faded music-promo tees whether you like hip-hop or country, second-hand streetwear hoodies, and hard-to-find limited-release sneakers all in a single shop.

Lynette Lashawn

Off the Hanger, Newark, NJ

A boutique full of risk-taking and conversation-starting pieces, there isn’t a pattern or a print you can’t find at Off the Hanger. You can shop online, but in-store you can experience personal shopping, private styling, on-site alterations by appointment, and a traditional shoe shine service. Oh, and the clothing racks are actual giant hangers.

Pink Sky Boutique, Atlanta, GA

Pink Sky’s bright and affordable fashions — nothing is over $100! — are handpicked by the boutique’s owner, Christi Hector. A mix of clothing, accessories, shoes, and jewelry, it’s become a go-to spot for local Atlanta residents.

Dripped + Draped, Omaha, NE

Dripped + Draped is an Instagrammer’s dream. If you stop by for some socially-distant shopping, be prepared to shop and snap a few photos next to one of its many selfie-worthy spots: a flower wall, an angel wing neon sign, wall art that reads “Pink Vibes Only” and “Vibin’ and Thrivin’,” and a pink telephone booth. And it’s more than just a clothing store — it’s a full-fledged coffee shop, too, complete with blue lavender iced drinks and glitter lattes.

Sources are provided for informational and reference purposes only. They are not an endorsement of Advertiser or Advertiser’s products.

This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.

Tags:

  • advertiser content
  • new york stories
  • finance
  • american express
  • shop small
  • fashion
  • shopping
  • guide
  • More
+Comments Leave a Comment
9 Small Black-Owned Fashion Stores to Shop Right Now

  1. WandaVision Recap: Big Trauma’s House
  2. No, They Weren’t Dead the Whole Time
  3. How Did Larry Nassar Deceive So Many for So Long?
  4. Tory Lanez Forbidden From Speaking Publicly About Megan Thee Stallion Case
  5. Okay, Let’s Talk About Behind Her Eyes’s Double Twist Ending

Latest News from New York Magazine

crime 11:11 p.m.
Lady Gaga’s Stolen French Bulldogs Returned After Armed Robbery Los Angeles police confirmed the two dogs were dropped off unharmed.
anime 9:49 p.m.
The Terminator Will Be Back as a Netflix Anime Series Come with him if you want to watch.
rom-coms 8:14 p.m.
Julia Roberts and George Clooney Buy a Round-Trip Ticket to Paradise Directed by Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’s Ol Parker.
cancellations 7:09 p.m.
Taylor Swift Has Some Bad News About All Her Concerts Postponed Due to COVID “It’s not my favorite thing in the world to have to tell you news I’m sad about.”
this week in late night 6:53 p.m.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman Educating an Uninformed Mom on BLM Won Late Night The representative educated Bootsie Plunkett with patience and care.
movie review 6:46 p.m.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday Is an Inert History Lesson Andra Day is great in the title role, however.
nyfw fall 2021 6:28 p.m.
Christian Siriano’s Psychedelic Trip The designer went for a dreamlike ‘alternate reality’ for his second pandemic show.
By Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz
follow friday 6:05 p.m.
Janelle James Is All Ideas We caught up with the comedian on Instagram Live today.
now streaming 6:00 p.m.
What’s Leaving Netflix: March 2021 The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Silver Linings Playbook, Taxi Driver, and more.
gifts they might actually want 6:00 p.m.
The Best Gifts for Writers, According to Writers Including bulletin boards, fountain pens, running shoes, meal replacement drinks, and a slang dictionary.
extremely online 5:56 p.m.
James Charles Denies Accusation of Grooming an Underage Fan The YouTuber responded quickly after accusations on TikTok went viral.
the inside track 5:53 p.m.
Noname’s Voice Remains Singular on ‘Rainforest’ The wonder of the track is nothing feels out of place.
By Justin Curto
painless shopping 5:35 p.m.
A Gift for Every Type of Girlfriend From a book about mushrooms to a robot vacuum.
crime 5:30 p.m.
An Asian Man Was Stabbed in the Back While Walking Home Police have identified a suspect, who says he attacked the man in Manhattan because he “didn’t like the way he looked at him.”
crime 5:10 p.m.
Lady Gaga Offering $500K Reward for Stolen Bulldogs She has now spoken about the shooting and theft on Twitter.
a beautiful life 5:00 p.m.
This Mother-Son Team Started a Hair-Care Line It’s called Mr. Smith.
easter eggs 4:45 p.m.
All the WandaVision Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed As with everything Marvel, scratch the surface of this show and you’ll find a host of nods to both comics and MCU history.
recommended by experts 4:18 p.m.
The Best Metal Detectors, According to Real-Life Treasure Hunters Experienced detectorists weigh in on the best tools for finding priceless relics.
to be continued 3:34 p.m.
Ray Donovan’s Showrunner Credits Fan Outcry for the Show’s Wrap-up Movie “It’s become clear to me that the living organism that is Ray Donovan is a collaboration, a shared ownership, with our audience.“
that's hot 3:32 p.m.
Another Pandemic Spring, Another Wave of Pink Hair This time, celebs are cranking up the brightness.
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
New York is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.