Hot Girl Summer Edit…
Vaxed, waxed, and ready to hit these streets? Don’t mind if we do. And summer is the penultimate time to dive back (safely, of course) into a buzzing social scene.
Make your post-Covid comeback tour Insta-worthy with these beautiful buys from black women-owned businesses. And because we know that you’re a fantastic human being who loves giving back to the community, all of the businesses and brands that made our Summer Edit are also busy making the world a better place by re-investing funds and resources into deserving projects and communities.
So, feel free to shop ‘til you drop – sans the guilt.
This clutch by Kréyol is sure to elevate any outfit. Founded by Haitian immigrant Joelle Fontaine, Kréyol features unique and bold pieces made by artisans in Haiti, Ecuador, and Boston. Each season, they curate new artisan partnerships to directly support women artisans and entrepreneurs.
As your social calendar begins to fill up again, you will undoubtedly need a statement dress. Something that inches up the “Wow” factor whenever you pull it out. Well, DiarraBlu’s Diago Dress accomplishes just that. With its playful pattern and elongating silhouette, you’re sure to turn heads.
With the majority of its pieces made in Dakar, Senegal, DiarraBlu prides itself on engaging sustainability-focused manufacturing practices (aka “zero waste” practices) while also creating economic opportunities for local Senegalese artisans. Fun fact – Its founder, Diarra Bousso, is also a mathematician who uses mathematical code to create textile patterns. The result? Truly iconic prints.
A symbol of abundance and prosperity, these cowrie studs from Omi Woods are a beautiful addition to your jewelry box. A jewelry line that proudly celebrates all of our connections to Africa and her diaspora, Omi Woods jewelry also features fair trade African gold. Per their site, the gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that support the well-being of miners and their communities by paying miners a fair wage and contributing to improved health care, education, safety and living conditions on the continent.
As the temperature rises, so does the need for a perfect jumpsuit. This elevated design also by DiarraBlu can easily be dressed up or down and would be just as perfect for a romantic dinner on the beach as it would for a picnic in the park.
If the beach or the pool is in your sights this summer (And why wouldn’t it be?), take your swim lewk to the next level with this gorgeous cover-up by Lemlem. With Supermodel Liya Kebede at the helm, Lemlem helps African women artisans rise above poverty through programs that promote better access to healthcare, job opportunities, and responsible production through its Lemlem Foundation.
Is there anything better than a chilled glass of rose’ on a hot summer day? We think not. Which is why we’ll be sipping on Love Cork Screw’s “We Go High” Rose’ all summer long. A wine and lifestyle brand created in 2014, Love Cork Screw also mentors young women and budding entrepreneurs in the Chicago area.
Our Summer Edit would not be complete without Black Girl Sunscreen because, ahem, ain’t nobody got time for sunburns and melanoma. Protect your precious melanin this summer and all year long with a product that will protect your skin without leaving that ghastly white cast. Black Girl Sunscreen is also a proud supporter of Pathways to Production, a non-profit that teaches black students in disadvantaged African communities the technical skills of tv production to increase the diversity and visibility of blacks in media.