Petite Style, Clean Skincare + Baby Goods by Black Owned Brands

It’s been a long-term goal of mine to support and share more women-run businesses, such as these handmade jewelry shops, these clean-focused beauty lines (Follain, Kosas & Ilia to name a few), and many of the baby brands we feature. While this continues to be a priority, I also want to make a dedicated effort to promote brands with more diverse ownership and representation. As part of my everyday, I patronize and mention a lot of Asian-run businesses (although I want to do a better job of highlighting their founders and leaders), and want to be more conscious about featuring other minority groups that are underrepresented in business like the Black community.

I spent the past week researching and learning about Black-owned brands relevant to categories that I know EP readers love. A few of these are brands I’ve purchased from in the past, and several are new-to-me which I look forward to trying!

Wellness + Beauty
  • Organic Bath Co. (also available at Follain ). Organic Bath just gave me code EP20 for 20% off their site! And Follain gave me JEANWANG for 10% off (free ship on all orders, 6/15 only!).
    • Bath & body company based right in the Boston area! The founders, husband & wife duo Gianne Doherty and Jay Weeks, wanted to create a line using only organic and natural ingredients from an ethical supply chain.
    • My top recommendations:
      • Body butter in either Naked (no fragrance) or Zesty Morning, formulated with shea butter, argan oil, almond & jojoba oil and is extra rich. It’s nearly solid so I scoop some out with a small spatula or my fingers, warm it up in my hands and pat onto skin after showering. I used organic shea butter all throughout my pregnancy with Nori on my belly, thigh and chest so this has also been great for that purpose!
      • Bar soaps – We use these in the shower and love the gentle exfoliation and ALL the scents! “Java jolt” is Nick and my favorite – refreshing just like a mint coffee.
  • Briogeo (also available at Sephora and DermStore)
    • A clean haircare company that is “6-free” meaning they don’t use harsh sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA or synthetic color.
    • Founder & CEO Nancy Twine believes in “nurturing our hair in the same way we care for our skin – by detoxifying, hydrating and protecting it.”
    • Best sellers: Scalp Revival Exfoliating ShampooDon’t Despair, Repair! hair mask
  • Golde (also available at Blk + Grn, a marketplace of all-natural products by all Black artisans)
    • Beauty + wellness products (by co-founders Trinity Mouzon Wofford and Issey Kobori) made with superfoods like matcha, turmeric, and cacao that are organic, vegan, and cruelty free.
    • Best seller: Clean Greens Face Mask which left my skin feeling smooth and refreshed (though it truly does smell like a green smoothie)
Size Inclusive Style

These are on the pricier side, so I’d love to hear more affordable recs in this category! 

  • Byron Lars (sizes 00 petite & up)
    • Romantic and whimsical, these are some of my favorite romantic lace dresses (see on me). 00 petite fit like a glove on me pre-pregnancy. I’ve recommended the white lace option before as a beautiful bridal shower or rehearsal dinner outfit!
    • Lars first learned how to sew in 10th grade from a neighbor, and continued to teach himself. He started making his own patterns, and designed and sold prom gowns for his classmates (I loved this tidbit as I also sewed prom gowns in high school)!
  • DIARRABLU (garments are tailor made based on your height)
    • Focused on sustainability and versatility, pieces feature convertible and adjustable designs, and are hand crafted to order in a small atelier in Senegal.
    • Sizing is a little more general (i.e. XS/S), but you input your height when ordering and the garment is made accordingly. Per my inquiries, they shared: “We basically use your height alongside the size selected to derive sleeve length, dress length, and other measurements. If we need more info we may follow up to request your waist or hip measurements.” 
    • Diarra, the founder, has an interesting story and teaches high school math while running this business. Having moved around a lot in her life, she references mathematics as a universal language that inspires her and all the prints on her apparel.
  • Color Inclusive Shoes. As a collector of nude pumps, I know one shade does not suit all!
    • Kahmune (sizes 4 – 13)
      • From Jamela Acheampong, the founder: It’s my goal to ensure that ALL women have “nude” products that celebrate the diversity of the human complexion. I’m proud to be one of the few high-end labels offering a product that caters to all tones.
      • Very size & color inclusive, with 10 different nude shades from extra light to dark, 4 heel heights, and lots of styles. Shoes are made of premium leathers and crafted by artisans in Italy.
      • Prices start at $100 when on sale, around $300 retail. Free ship & returns in the US and UK.
    • Rebecca Allen
      • From Rebecca Allen: As a black woman navigating corporate America, I always needed a go-to nude pump in my closet, and I could never find a shade that was MY nude. This drove me to begin working on Rebecca Allen…Today, I’m driven by the opportunity to bring together like-minded women who want to celebrate one another and share in each other’s wins.
      • A smaller style & size range (6-11) with 3 clean-cut, everyday shoes in 5 shades.
      • Prices start at $150 when on sale, with free ship & returns in the US.
  • Tracy Reese
    • This designer has a pretty established following, but I wanted to point out her sustainability-focused Hope for Flowers line at Anthro includes a few pieces in petite sizing each season.

Black owned fashion brands

Sini Maily dress from DIARRABLU (made to measure per your height)

Baby & Kids
  • Pretty Please Teethers
    • Founder Kelli’s mission is to create safe and natural products for little ones that are also contemporary and minimalist in style. Their products are handmade in Utah with 100% food-grade silicone and natural beechwood.
  • Le Petite Organic
    • Founded by Sanjay, a mama of 3 and based in NYC, their focus is on curating the best in sustainable, hand-made and vintage inspired products for little ones.
  • Dolls
    • HarperIman
      • These beautiful handmade dolls created by Kathryn and Cynthia (a mother-daughter duo) have been a popular share and are currently almost sold out. Their focus is on “reinforcing each child’s beauty and strength by providing positive affirmations of themselves that they can identify with.”
    • Ikuzi Dolls
      • Another great option created by Ozi Okaro (a designer, children’s author and mama of 4, who wanted to ensure that every little girl has a doll that looks like her.

I hope some of you enjoyed learning about these brands and women as much as I did, and I’d also love to read your recommendations of more businesses to add to these lists!

When you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

When you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

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13 Comments

  1. Tash wrote:

    Hi Jean! Thank you for putting this list together. We’d love to be added to your list of baby + kids . Shop Lucy Lue Organics for organic baby clothing, gifts, and accessories.

    Posted 6.27.20 Reply
  2. Gab Affia wrote:

    Absolutely looooove this post and I cannot wait to try those baby + kids brands you’ve mentioned! <3 ! I am pregnant and about to pop in August! I want to share my absolute favorite maternity brand, which also happened to be Black Female-Owned – Preggo Leggings. It is part of Made With Love Brands, along with sister brands – You! Lingerie (super comfy bras) and Ashmi & Co (adorable pieces for my little one). I've also come to read the story of each and learn about their ah-mazing founder – Uyo Okebie-Eichelberger. Definitely worth checking out! 😉

    Posted 6.23.20 Reply
  3. Gabrielle Hawkes wrote:

    Thank you for posting this! Especially the children’s dolls, I have been looking for childrens dolls of color made by POC, this is so great!

    Posted 6.15.20 Reply
  4. Jodi Holcomb wrote:

    You have got to be kidding me with this post? and the anti racism one…..you’re blog used to be good and it has become ridiculous lately

    Posted 6.10.20 Reply
    • Sarah wrote:

      I’m not quite sure how this post or her previous one could be labeled ridiculous. Sadly, your comment says a lot about you.

      I commend you, Jean, for being socially conscious. This is a lifestyle and fashion blog and I appreciate that it is culturally and socially relevant. Just like her posts about baby products, recipes and travel, this blog has evolved to include subjects that are relevant in her life (and society). Great job, Jean!

      Posted 6.12.20 Reply
  5. GP wrote:

    Thank you for posting these!

    Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  6. Sarah wrote:

    Thank you for researching this important subject and providing us with these resources! I think it’s easy to post support for minorities, but you have really followed through and provided useful information. As someone who has committed myself to supporting more black-owned businesses, I really appreciate all that you’re doing!

    Posted 6.10.20 Reply
    • Jean | Extra Petite wrote:

      Thank you Sarah, I know this is only the beginning of change that has to take place consistently. Please feel free to share some of the relevant businesses you continue to discover down the road!

      Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  7. Mireia wrote:

    Thanks for all these recommendations! I’ll definitely check out some of these!

    Mireia from TGL

    Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  8. Amy wrote:

    Jean, I’ve been reading your blog for over a decade. We were the same weight height and build for a long time and I often came to you for fashion inspiration. Especially when I received my very first white collar job offer and needed to learn how to dress professionally in petites.

    Over the years along with your life your brand has evolved and I’ve loved following that journey. In the past months as society struggled through multiple turmoils you’ve really rose above to continue to be a role model for the community.

    It’s so difficult to know what “the right thing to do” is when we go through something no one has experienced before. Despite that you’ve succeeded on figuring that out time and time again. I appreciate you using your voice when it’s needed most and setting an example for how we can all promote change in small ways. .

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Jean | Extra Petite wrote:

      Hi Amy – I cant express how grateful I am for your support and readership for over a decade (!). Thank you for your kind words and for being an uplifting voice, especially during these divisive times.

      Posted 6.10.20 Reply
  9. Hannah wrote:

    I ordered the white lace dress a month ago and it’s really beautiful in person, more so than the pictures! But I think the lining underneath might be a shade lighter than what you have. We have similar skin tone, but when I try it on, it looks like the lace part doesn’t have any lining underneath. I asked a few girlfriends and my boyfriend and their initial reaction was always “wow didn’t know you’d wear something like this”. Because their response was so uniform in thinking that I’m not wearing anything underneath, I ended up returning the dress, even though I liked it and had wanted to wear it for my civil wedding.

    Posted 6.9.20 Reply
    • Jean | Extra Petite wrote:

      Hi Hannah – that is so interesting! I’m sure you would’ve rocked it with the slightly more risqué vibe regardless. Sorry the dress didn’t work out but more importantly …congratulations on your wedding and on this next life chapter!

      Posted 6.10.20 Reply

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