Event season is upon us. Weddings, garden parties, music festivals, beach getaways and more will soon be here. So are you ready, Sis?
Whether you want one new dress or a few fresh looks to rotate throughout the season, consider these Black-owned labels. You’ll find vibrant prints, unique silhouettes and statement-making styles — perfect for your special occasion, neighborhood party, cruise, weekend brunch or beach stroll.
DIARRABLU
We’ve long been fans of this sustainable and size-inclusive brand from designer Diarra Bousso. Mostly manufactured in Dakar, Senegal, the designs celebrate African heritage and artistry. Discover printed maxi dresses, asymmetrical styles and flattering jumpsuits — a worthy dress alternative for special occasions.
Pricing: $145 – $295
Sizing: XS – 3XL
Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese
Known for feminine designs, Tracy Reese’s sustainable line, Hope for Flowers, is a go-to for special occasion style. Whether you want something flirty, sophisticated or chic, you’ll find it here. The prices are definitely in splurge territory, but it’s an investment that will carry you through the season and beyond.
Pricing: retails for around $300 to $700
Sizing: XS – XL
Ooshie
Styles from Ooshie strike the perfect balance of feminine, sexy and classy. This brand features bold prints, chic silhouettes and versatile camisole dresses. Whether your event is in town or in the Caribbean, you’ll give off serious luxury vacation vibes.
Pricing: $115 – $245
Sizing: XXS – 2X
Míe
Made in Lagos, Nigeria, by local seamstresses and artisans, this brand offers unique styles that will surely turn heads. You’ll find printed caftans, flowy dresses and silhouettes with cutouts, lace-ups and other feminine details. For a tailored experience, get your dress custom-made by providing your exact measurements when ordering.
Pricing: $245 – $500
Sizing: XS – 3X
Megan Renee
This sustainable line from designer Megan Smith is full of bold prints, structured shirt dresses and colorful caftans. If you want to stand out at your next event, you’ll find the perfect outfit from this brand. Styles are made-to-order, so give yourself plenty of time when shopping here.
Pricing: Most from $115 – $220
Sizing: XXS – 2X
Tip: Though not Black-owned, another place to find affordable designs by Black designers is Target. The retailer has fab collabs. Target’s Future Collective is a series of collections co-designed by creatives and influencers of color. Each collaboration features size-inclusive and innovative looks, representing the designer’s aesthetic, style and point of view. Past collaborators included Vogue contributing editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson and style expert Kahlana Barfield Brown. The collections featured figure-flattering dresses, unique prints, sexy silhouettes, pop colors and other on-trend looks. The best part? Most of the styles are priced under $50! Sign up for Target’s behind-the-scenes newsletter to find out when new collections drop.
Pricing: Under $50
Sizing: XXS – 4X
