Luxury Black-Owned Brands You Can Support in Philadelphia During Black History Month and Beyond

Freedom Apothecary Owners Bonkosi Horn and Morrisa Jenkins

These Black-owned brands are making history on their own terms. From formal and streetwear lines to skin care essentials and lifestyle shops, we have assembled a list of businesses to support in Philadelphia during Black History Month and beyond.

Damari Saville

Started by co-owners Malcom Jenkins and Eric White, this Philadelphia-based mens and womenswear brand holds a collection of custom suits and other formal wear. Including a collection of ties, bowties, pocket squares and cufflinks, these pieces should be the next addition to your formal wardrobe. Make a statement with the label’s Overcoat No.2, a 100% wool overcoat with peak lapel, patched pockets, three-button closure and hand made signature patch-work by Hamid Holloman. 72 N. Second St., 267.270.2322, damarisavile.com/

Cultured Couture Gallery

With his vintage clothing brand, Cultured Couture, designer Erik Honesty set out to bring individuality with styling for men. Steeped in a selection of vintage pieces, his aesthetic comes from his interest in history. He is heavily inspired by the stylings of the 1800’s, early 1920’s art deco and 1970’s. The custom pieces on his site are works from his current collection where you can find a host of coats, jackets, tunics and pants that look like they would fit comfortably on any runway. 6379 Germantown Ave., culturedcouturegallery.com/

Yowie

This Philadelphia-based home and life shop started by Shannon Maldonado focuses on curating small collections from friends, independent artists and designers. The store sells a host of handmade home decor objects, independent publications and artist series t-shirts. Maldonado brings in new products about every four- to six weeks and tries not to overproduce anything with the intention of making each piece feel special. 716 S. Fourth St., shopyowie.com/

Freedom Apothecary

Morrisa Jenkins and Bonkosi Horn created Freedom Apothecary as a space for Black women and women of color to find themselves represented within a brand. Through their luxury skin care products and consultations with a holistic esthetician, they aim to pass on a message of radical self-care and holistic wellness. Vending from over 50 different brands, Freedom Apothecary has all the skin care essentials you need to make sure your skin is well taken care of. Looking for a list of products to start with? We recommend the Lilfox | Prickly Pear Illuminating Face Nectar to brighten and even your skin, the Berlin Skin | Matcha Mask to protect and moisturize your skin and the Freedom Apothecary | Green Tea Butter to help regenerate your skin cells. 736 N. Second St., 215.982.2772, freedomapothecary.com/

Common Ground

With an impressive collection of authentic vintage Nike, Air Jordans, Supreme and other designer sneakers, Common Ground is the ideal spot for those who are fans of luxury street style. They even hold a selection of high-end tennis shoes from modern designers such as Off-White and Balenciaga that would impress the most staunch sneaker heads. 134 S. 11th St., 215.747.4592, commonground12.com/

Grant Blvd

Kimberly McGlonn’s clothing line Grant Blvd reached new heights of exposure after receiving a $10,000 grant from Beyoncé’s BeyGood foundation. The company, which was named after the street she grew up on, 2677 Grant Blvd., aims to use fashion as a means of activism to help those whose lives have been crippled by poverty and criminalization. By sourcing reclaimed fabrics to be environmentally sustainable, McGlonn has also been able to champion the new wave of gender neutrality in fashion as it has become a successful medium in the brand to rework menswear into an androgynous styling. With fashion forward street style and luxury clothing, Grant Blvd has found the perfect intersection of activism and fashion. 3605 Lancaster Ave., 215.970.9630, grantblvd.com/

Buddha Babe

Tina Dixon Spence launched this baby-essentials business when she saw space in the market for stylish bibs with safe fabrics after her son began to receive rashes from the bibs she was currently buying. What launched as an e-commerce business in 2014 has expanded into a luxury design studio as of November 2020. They now sell a host of products including blankies, toddler scarves, swaddles, and a host of other baby clothing. With the brand's vast collection, this is the ideal place to shop for your children or to gift a loved one at your next virtual baby shower. You can’t go wrong starting with their Protective Masks to keep your child stylish and safe as they venture outside. 7101 Emlen St., 215.315.8430, buddhababe.us/