Melanin and Sustainable Style
Dominique Drakeford is a woman who wears many masks. First and foremost, she is an environmental educator, but she is much more than just that as she takes on the role as creative director and community advocate within her numerous spheres of work. Her passion project is her evolutionary platform, Melanin and Sustainable Style (MelaninASS), which addresses the issues and celebrates the triumphs of communities of color in sustainable fashion, green beauty and wellness spaces. She strives to inspire ecological, cultural, and social change as well as change the way people talk about sustainability in practice. She has done work with Urban Zen and Studio 189, written for publications, is partnered with global luxe sustainable fashion brands, and has been featured on the cover of Ethical Style Journal. This piece is from Issue №3 of The Regeneration Magazine:
The idea of sustainability has been around long before the term was adopted in the Western world. Traditional craftsmanship and modalities, such as being mindful of the Earth and treating communities with respect, have been rooted in the heritage and history of cultures of color for generations.
Much of sustainable fashion today is re-learning how to cultivate the ethical production methodology of indigenous cultures, while still adhering to modern Western ideology.
Today, the African diaspora is flooded with amazing sustainable designers who have adopted a cocktail of skills from their ancestors and other cultures of color around the globe. The pulse of sustainable fashion is founded on culture with a heartbeat of melanin.
Far too often, we see a lack of positive representation in a space that is inherently for and by people of color, pre colonization. So many amazing eclectic and luxury brands founded by people of color need to be elevated within the sustainable style realm. Bloggers, editors, creative directors, models and everyday people should be looking to more brands by women of color so that eventually those brands can simply be recognized as amazing sustainable fashion designers, period.
The following are just a few of my favorite black-owned sustainable fashion brands.
Studio One Eighty Nine @studiooneeightynine
Studio One Eighty Nine is an award-winning, luxury, ethical brand founded by actress and activist Rosario Dawson and fashion powerhouse Abrima Erwiah. The entire collection is handcrafted in Ghana using traditional techniques, such as hand batiking, to truly create uniquely luxe pieces while paying fair wages to local artisans.
Remuse @remusedesigns
This Australian-based brand creates handmade designed pieces inspired by Earth. Her collections have Afrofuturistic influences that have been a driving force for her cultural aesthetic. In particular, this designer explores the cosmic beyond — a worldly place which has informed the designs, silhouettes and use of colors.
Chan & Krys @chanandkrys
Chan & Krys is a collection of stylish and sustainable separates and accessories focused on texture and comfort. This brand is inspired by menswear and draws from elements of the Bay Area and New York, where each of the co-founders reside.
Printed Pattern People @printedpatternpeople
Printed Pattern People partners with artisans around the globe to provide printed leisurewear that complements women’s desire for exploration and world travel. With a plethora of oversized, draped pieces, the brand looks amazing on all body types.
Paige Dawkins @bypaigedawkins
Luna Soul is a locally made fashion brand that will definitely add chic, minimalist pieces to your wardrobe. Inspired by southern roots with a boho-chic vibe, this brand believes in slow, ethical production inspired by worldly travel.
Yemzi @yemzi
This London-based designer sources natural fibers, azo-free dyes and GOTS-certified fabrics for all of her products. Using paints and sketches to inform bold design, Yemzi digitally prints exclusive fabrics by West Africa and the diaspora. This brand also hosts design workshops to teach teenage girls design skills and help them to channel their creativity into a successful career in fashion.
Mixed Color @mixed_color_
This brand creates experimental collections of handmade textiles with all-natural textiles, such as raw silk, certified organic cotton, hemp and linen. Mixed Color pecializes in 100 percent natural dyes, such as madder root, cutch and osage orange, with an inspiration of culture and nature.
Chelsea Bravo @chelseabravo_
This unisex deigner based in the U.K. makes thoughtfully crafted pieces inspired by art, environment and abstractness. Believing in working alongside the environment, Bravo’s designs feature contemporary urban minimalism.
Sindiso Khumalo @sindisokhumalo
Sindiso Khumalo is a South African designer focused on creating modern, sustainable textiles using strong graphic prints that create the perfect pieces to stand out among the crowd. Her uniquely vibrant voice speaks to Zulu and Ndebele heritage and continuous African storytelling.
Tabii Just @tabiijust
Tabii Just is a women’s empowerment brand focused on much-needed zero waste basics with a subtle Trinidadian twist. With a mantra of responsible production, Tabii’s seasonless dresses are fun, flirty and great for any occasion.
Aliya Wanek @aliyawanek
Aliya Wanek is an Oakland-based label focused on handmade quality, craft and functional pieces for women who love American monochromatic classics. Wanek’s pieces have a hint of Japanese inspiration and a minimalist aesthetic that is simply beautiful.
Lemlem @lemlemnyc
Lemlem is a luxe, made-in-Africa brand focused on helping women artisans thrive. With a wide assortment of styles — such as dresses, tunics, jumpsuits and cardigans — investing in multiple pieces from this designer is essential.
This article is featured in Issue №3 of The Regeneration Magazine. You can preview it, order it, or subscribe on our website.
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