With the Holiday season now in full swing it's time to pick up all of your last-minute gifts for your families “Beyoncé ” or your friend groups fashionista. When talking about fashion it is more common to see “Shop Black” or “Shop Small” rather than being shown the brands making the change we need in fashion. This holiday season consider gifting brands that may seem a little out of the box but still create the moment you are looking for when gifting. 

1. Joystick Bag by Murway

Starting out our list we have the Joystick Bag  in the color green but they also come in colors red, brown, black, and pink. Founded back in 2020 Murway was the brainchild of Denishio Murray, an upcoming designer from Arkansas. Adding a touch of playfulness to an evening look the Joystick bag would fit seamlessly with a maxi skirt or a motorcycle jacket for a streetwear look. ($229 but now on sale for $113 via Murway)

2. Shoe-Tossing Earings by Homage Year

Completed in an act of remembrance but often stereotyped as “problematic”, Homage Year reclaims the shoe-tossing tradition. Featuring two shoes hanging off one of three power lines, these earrings have a mini and large version coming in silver and gold. Homage Year is most notably known for their Oval shape bags gaining headway in recent years but this departure into jewelry solidifies their stability as a brand($250-$400 via Homage Year)

3.Casj Adire Sleeveless Shirt by Orange Culture

Looking to bring fluidity to the African fashion community Adebayo Okelawal founded Orange Culture to challenge societal norms and create clothing for all. The Casj Adire Sleeveless Shirt, like all of their clothing, is handcrafted in Lagos, Nigeria, a process which includes being hand dyed as well as having all the cotton locally sourced. Okelawal and in turn Orange Culture represent the ability to blur culture and gender creating a new opportunity when it comes to African Fashion. (€85 via Orange Culture)

4. HERON01 - 0.8 BETA by Heron Preston x Zellerfeld

We all have that one sibling or family member that wears slides around the house and this would be the perfect addition to their collection. Created out of feedback from a Beta Tester Experiment, the HERON01 Version 0.81 is the second fully 3D-printed shoe by Preston that comes in black, orange, and white. 3D printing designs have not only long been used as a way to further conversations around conscious production but 3D printing fashion has now furthered the possibilities in design as well. ($10-$200 via StockX)

5. Dylan Camp Studios Airbrush pants

Adding a softer touch to the airbrush industry Dylan Camp Studios creates one of one pieces that add a sense of elevation to the streetwear world. The lines are bold and graphic but they are still able to maintain a sense of intentionality. With the possibility to be worn unisex pairing this with a sweatshirt and a cargo vest would make for the essential winter outfit. ($100 via Dylan Camp Studios)

6. Naked Body Dress by Sized the Brand

Making the thermal body print dress for plus-size folk, Sized the Brand is creating Y2K clothing that is for the folk who never saw themselves in fashion. Plus-size clothing has long been seen as undesirable and Sized is working against those narrative to produce clothing ranging from sizes XS to 5X this iteration of the body dress provides breath to a community that is traditionally left out of this trend. Fitting true to size the naked body dress comes in 4 different colors making this ideal for your matching girlfriend reunion. ($55 via Sized)

7. Anansi is King Hoodie by House of AAMA

Rooted in telling the story of migration, House of Aama’s Anansi is King Hoodie tells the story of Anansi, a divine trickster from West African Folklore. House of Aama is the creation of mother and daughter duo, Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka. It pays homage to the African continent and creates a space for the diaspora to interact with their ancestors through clothing. Being able to turn something as simple as a hoodie into a staple such as this will fit perfectly into any streetwear lover's closet.($450 via Nordstroms)

8. Octagon Hoops by Elizabeth Laine 

A staple in our community has always been gold hoops from Flo Jo to the music videos of the 2000’s hoops have always communicated a sense of confidence. Elevating this classic Elizabeth Laine channels her creativity into these contemporary styles to give her wearers a feel of elegance. Truly a timeless piece that can be worn for a day, evening, or a night out, the Large Octagon Hoops be a staple in anyone's jewelry drawer. ( $58 via Elizabeth Laine)

9. Efa Bag by Vavvoune

Your evening bag needs are cured with the Efa Bag by Vavoune. Having the illusion of a mini bag but with a spacious interior, the Efa can carry all your essentials. Valerie Blaise, the founder of Vavvoune, has incorporated her childhood growing up in Haiti throughout her collections effectively creating a space of nostalgia. Seeking to evoke emotion and create moments Vavvoune still prioritizes sustainability effectively using leathers that have been abandoned by other luxury brands and by hand-sourcing materials. ($298 via Vavvoune)

10. 254 Sunrise overcoat by Akiba Studios

Curating ready-to-wear pieces inspired by the elevation of Kenyan streetwear, David Kipkeoch of Akiba Studio has created an overcoat that tells a story and lets everyone know when you walk into the room. Using graphics to brand their clothing Akiba Studios tells new African narratives that have yet to be seen through African clothing. This overcoat features the classic 254 monogram print that features giraffes and the people of Kenya living their daily lives. Its pieces like this that truly show how African Designers are looking to the future while taking inspiration from their past. (KSh 10,000.00 or roughly $65 via Akiba Studios)

#CohortDec23