When fashion designer Aurora James, founder of the sustainable accessories brand Brother Vellies, started the 15 Percent Pledge, she also started a movement. The pledge urges big-name retailers (think Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods) to commit to greater equity in their merchandising mix by having at least 15 percent of their products come from Black-owned brands.
But you don’t have to be a major corporate player to embrace the tenets of this pledge in your own life. On a more personal scale, you can support Black-owned businesses by making conscious choices to include products and services in your daily life, including the most important space of all: your home.
“Supporting Black-owned businesses and designers can help to encourage young and aspiring Black designers to join the industry, and to help diversify perspectives and voices represented,” says Shelby Girard, Havenly’s VP of Creative & Design, noting that Black designers and businesses have historically been underrepresented in the design industry.
We recently spoke with Shelby about what Black-owned home decor brands are on her “must have” radar. Get to know these inspiring, creative design forces, and bookmark for your upcoming home purchases.
Textured Artwork from Élan Byrd
Miami-based multidisciplinary artist and textile designer Élan Byrd creates artwork, wall hangings, and prints that embrace imperfection, focusing heavily on raffia and natural fibers. Most pieces share a soothing palette of warm, tonal neutrals, and Byrd is adept at incorporating fun, 1980s-inspired geometric shapes into her work. Although her originals tend to sell out fast (it’s easy to see why!), she has beautiful, affordable prints available on her website, and she recently launched a stunning rug and accessories collection in collaboration with Lulu & Georgia (this patterned beauty is currently a Havenly fan fave).
Luxury Linens from Linoto
Linoto specializes in Italian and Belgian linen sheets made right here in the United States. The brand also sells sleepwear, towels, table linens, and masks. Unsurprisingly, founder Jason Egeve is seriously passionate about the natural fabric — he created the brand in 2007 (way ahead of the linen bedding trend) with an emphasis on meticulous workmanship. Their artisan-quality products are treated more like a designer dress than a household linen — each item is marked with cloth, cut with tailor shears, and measured and sewn by hand, allowing the beauty of linen to speak for itself. Plus, the company is committed to eco-friendly processes — they exclusively use natural laundry soap to wash all linens and shipping items in plastic-free, recycled packaging.
Whimsical Ceramics from Lolly Lolly
Lalese Stamps is the creative force behind fun and funky ceramics brand Lolly Lolly Ceramics, a nod to her nickname in high school. Her stoneware mugs are objets d’art that often feature whimsical handles (we’re partial to this one). The coveted tableware is often sold out due to the handmade, artisan nature of her products, but follow along on Instagram to stay up to date on restock alerts.
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