Celebrating Black History Month: Footwear Innovators and Rising Stars
RG Barry Brands
We create consumer-focused, digitally-centric, earth-first brands that make life more comfortable.
Smart Brevity® count: 2 mins...587 words
In a world where fashion, art, and design intersect, these African-American footwear and handbag visionaries carve out spaces that redefine beauty, inspire innovation, and ignite conversations.
Footwear Innovators and Rising Stars
Jamela Acheampong,
Acheampong, the founder of Kahmune (pronounced Commune), reimagines the concept of "nude."
After being forced to paint a pair of white pumps to match her skin tone, she knew that if she was having this issue, thousands of other women must be too.
Launching the brand was a way to guarantee that no one is forced to paint, dye, or settle for not having their shade again.
Their shades were named after the women of the cities and regions whose skin tones inspired them.
The Kahmune website includes a shade match guide to find your nude. They've matched all 10 of their shades to some of the leading makeup foundations on the market.
For her work, Jamela was honored as the Women in Footwear 2023 Best Inclusive Designer.
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Keya Martin
Keya Martin, founder of KEEYAHRI, launched a Black-owned premium shoe brand that transcends the ordinary, inviting everyone to embrace their unique style with confidence and flair.
The brand embodies the spirit of self-expression by creating a space where boldness and eccentricity intertwine seamlessly.
At the heart of KEEYAHRI lies a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship that celebrates the essence of love and connection, all while empowering the individuality within.
Keya was honored as the Women in Footwear 2023 Best New Shoe Designer.
Inclusive amp; Socially Conscious Bag Designers
Brandon Blackwood
Brandon Blackwood’s namesake brand launched in 2015, built on blood, sweat, and trunk shows.
His line of purses and handbags are not only effortlessly beautiful but also stand for causes that impact our day-to-day lives.
He gained international notoriety in 2020 by creating a mini-tote with the words End Systemic Racism engraved on the front to support Black Lives Matter protests.
A portion of the proceeds from the bag were donated to the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which is an organization dedicated to helping racial and ethnic minorities find legal representation while fighting civil rights cases.
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Telfar Clemens
Telfar Clemens launched his namesake Telfar label in 2005.
Since then, he’s balanced accessibility with luxury, creating handbags that are sought after by everyday people and A-listers.
Telfar is championed for its simple, yet luxury designs at a moderate price. Their motto is, “Not for you, for everyone.”
With inclusion at its core, Telfar became one of the first brands to blur the lines between what is seen as masculine and feminine.
Its best known item, the shopping bag aka the “Bushwick Birkin” has been worn by both men and women alike.
Clemens released a special capsule collection in collaboration with White Castle with all proceeds from the partnership going to bail funds for teenagers imprisoned on Rikers Island.
Learn More
The National Museum of African American History and Culture has amazing resources and information! Click the links below to visit.
Celebrate Black History Month 2024 - Art as a Platform for Social Justice
Get a 360 degree view of the Cultural Expressions exhibit - a circular, experiential, introductory space to African American and African diaspora (people who have spread or been dispersed from their homeland) culture