Black businesses to visit before the end of London Fashion Week
The fashion industry’s elite has jet-setted from New York and taken over the streets of London. The third city in the “big four” of fashion weeks, London Fashion Week, began on February 17 and will conclude on February 21.
Fashion United shared the bustling schedule for the week, including 47 catwalk shows, 18 presentations, two appointments, 37 events and 41 digital activations.
While the Spring trend showings are the main attractions over the five days, the city is full of places to keep the in-vogue crowd busy between events. So before you pack up your designer threads and head toward Milan, here are some Black-owned businesses in London you should visit.
For over 10 years, Soapsmith has been creating vegan, cruelty-free products that appeal to your senses and skin. The brand offers a variety of handmade soaps, hand and body washes, lotions, oils and other body pleasing products.
Uncle John’s Bakery was established by Uncle John himself, John Mensah and his wife Emelia Mensah, 20 years ago. Using a recipe handed down from his aunt, Mensah has used traditional Ghanaian recipes to create a baked good institution in the UK.
Prick is London’s first boutique dedicated to cacti and other succulents. Based in East London, it offers a selection of the most unusual and exotic plants from all over the UK. Prick is the brainchild of Gynelle Leon, an award-winning photographer with a career background in forensic science who also has a green thumb.
Owned by award-winning barber, Mark Maciver, SliderCuts is London’s premiere Black-owned barber shop. Maciver has an impressive client list, including Lebron James, world-heavyweight champion boxer Anthony Joshua, TV personality Reggie Yates and high-hitting UK rappers Stormzy and Tinie Tempah, amongst others.
What started as a pop-up party for publishing group, Knights Of, grew into a brick and mortar bookstore. The location not only provides shoppers with well known titles but highlights local authors as well. It hosts weekly events and is in the running for “Independent Bookshop of the Year” with the British Book Awards.
Martie Bowser is a journalist and public relations professional in Charlotte, NC. She enjoys amplifying the voices of POC and women that fill a void within their community. Her bylines include “person of interest” interviews, small business highlights, pop culture commentary, entertainment features, and everything Beyonce.
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This story was originally published February 20, 2023 at 1:06 PM.