Telfar, Brandon Blackwood and 26 Black-Owned Handbag Brands We Can’t Get Enough Of

No matter the occasion or season, there’s always room for another handbag in your collection. From designer totes to trendy baguettes, the possibilities are endless. Whether you want to secure a Telfar or you're looking for new brands to shop, we compiled the top 28 Black-owned handbags brands to check out now. Plus, we are sharing our favorite picks from each collection.

In 2010, Cise meshed fashion and social justice together. Their first collection displayed important messages of protecting and fighting for the Black community. 14 years later, the Los Angeles-based company continues to be vocal and lend their support to important causes. A popular pick is their “Protect Black People” handbags that are both chic and impactful. Plus, a portion of the brand's proceeds go toward the Anti-Racism Fund and supporting other Black creatives.

Founder and designer Desiree Kleinen launched Ree Projects to inspire and empower women. The brand’s mission statement reads, “I want to create pieces that resonate with who I am and the world around me in a genuine way. I love to empower and inspire all the women around the globe to be herself and emphasize her strength, her pure beauty and personality.” The luxury brand provides the finest Italian leather while sourcing locally to keep up with their sustainability promise.

Anima Iris’s core mission is to redefine luxury by putting African cultures at the forefront of the conversation. With a focus on fashion, sustainability and social responsibility, founder Wilgory Tanjong launched her bag line to bring together the continent’s rich history and traditions. Inspired by Tanjong’s mother and closest childhood friend, the brand honors family and heritage—especially her Cameroonian roots. Even the biggest stars (ahem, Beyoncé) are huge fans of their bags.

If you're looking to make a big statement, look no further than BruceGlen. Twin designers Bruce and Glen Proctor went from interning for Beyoncé’s fashion brand to working with other brands (like Tommy Hilfiger) until they finally launched their own company in 2019. Since then, they continue to produce striking bags and colorful clothing pieces worn by celebs like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Keke Palmer and Jackie Aina.

Designer Brandon Blackwood started his accessory brand in 2015 and has since then created a multi-million-dollar brand. In 2020, Blackwood launched the “End Systematic Racism” tote bag that gave a portion of proceeds to Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights (a pro bono legal assistance program) and sold out within hours of releasing. Since, celebs like Beyoncé, Megan Thee Stallion and Victoria Monét have promoted his brand. While the bag that started it all has been discontinued, there are still more handbags that have become just as popular as the original.

Founder Deseri Kelley received her first designer bag at nine years old and has been enamored by the accessory ever since. By 2022, she launched Deseri, a luxury bag brand that fits every lifestyle. Each bag is handcrafted in Spain using local Italian leather to make quality staples that will last for years.

While Mateo New York is predominantly known for jewelry, their handbags hold a special place in their customers' carts too. In 2009, Matthew Harris launched the brand with men’s jewelry, but decided to rebrand five years later with women’s jewelry, accessories (aka bags) and candles. From bucket bags to leather crossbodies, each piece is minimalistic yet stylish.

This luxury brand blends Danish design, Italian leather goods and inspiration from Africa. In 2011, Yvonee Koné created the label that injects storytelling and heritage into every bag. Think: belt bags and large compartment pieces that are versatile and timeless.

Founder and designer Agnes Baddoo was set on creating bags that were fashionable yet functional. Inspired by a bag that once belonged to her mother, she wanted to create pieces inspired by the hustle and bustle of cities like New York and Los Angeles. It’s the reason why the most popular pick—Sac 1—has been such a big hit.

In 2017, co-founders Ashley Cimone and Moya Annece launched Ashya. The unisex accessories brand strives to “exist as a vehicle to diversify cultural perspectives through broadly researching narratives and design.” How? By developing multifunctional pieces for the modern traveler. The New York-based company sells crossbody bags, belt bags and passport holders to prepare you for your next destination.

If you’re in the market for a mini bag, check out Cheyenne Kimora. The crystal-covered bags are a nod to both Baroque art and hip-hop. Describing the aesthetic, Kimora told Hypebae, “I find tones of nostalgia, which relies heavily on just being Black and my Black experiences. So I would say my pieces are definitely extravagant, luxurious and inspiring.”

Inspired by her Trinidadian heritage, cities (like Miami and New York) and her key eye for fashion, Liselle Kiss started her own handbag brand in 2019. Kiss strives to create elegant accessories that spark confidence and inspires freedom of expression in her customers. As stated on her site, the brand blends "the bold, feminine spirt of Miami and the classic architectural structure of New York with an inclusive approach to luxury fashion."

Designer Sade Mims launched Edas as a sustainable accessories line for the everyday woman. From micro bags to jewelry, each piece is uniquely tailored and crafted to elevate any look. “I definitely feel like I always find that I'm looking at old styles and old silhouettes to bring new life to them,” Mims told Harper’s Bazaar. “In my mind, I design for someone who appreciates nostalgia. I design for those types of people who can identify, ‘Oh, this reminds me of the '60s. This pop of color that you added here reminds me of that era.’”

Few contemporary brands have bags in such distinct shapes as Homage Year. These pieces feature striking bright colors, vegan leather and a curved shape that you can’t find anywhere else. But for founder Antonie Manning, the bags are so much more than an accessory. On the site, Manning writes, “Every piece, accessory, and object we create is charged with sociopolitical intention. Each creation is an activation, an HOMAGE to our people, our culture, to our environment, and acknowledging where we stand in the midst of all of that.”

When Cortnie Hutchinson asked her grandmother to teach her how to sew, she never knew one clutch could flourish into the accessories brand we know today. In 2011, she opened a shop on Etsy with only three bags. Now, Love, Cortnie produces more than 200 styles, which she sells on her own site. “I wanted to create something that everyone could enjoy but couldn't necessarily be found just anywhere,” she says. “With every piece handmade by me, I believe I have achieved that.”

Brand director and founder Tobi Egberongbe combined his love of design, photography and architecture to create Mifland. The brand mixes form and function with a touch of bold designs for both men and women. Crafted in a signature leather stitch detailing, you'll find mini bags, saddle bags and rucksacks.

London designer Peju Obasa is all about color and texture. Hence why you see a mix of bold and neutral tones with a distinct knitting technique on all their bags. The brand represents both Obasa’s Nigerian roots and the cultures she’s encountered through her travels. Plus, sustainability is a huge part of the whole process, with every bag being crafted from eco-friendly materials like 100 percent biodegradable raffia.

In honor of his late father, founder Daniel Diyepriye launched his own luxury brand of high quality staples (like backpacks, crossbody bags and clutches). The British designer looked at his Nigerian heritage for inspiration and designs each piece to coexist with African fashion. In 2022, Diyepriye hosted his first runway collection in Ghana and continues to make a name for himself in the industry.

Shekudo started out as a women’s clothing brand and soon expanded to bags, jewelry and shoes. At the core of the brand is Akudo Iheakanwa’s heritage, life experiences and her love for wearable art. Every collection relies on traditional and contemporary techniques as well as locally sourced raw materials.

Honestly, we couldn’t make this roundup without mentioning Telfar. Although the brand launched in 2005, it exploded a few years ago with its signature logo bags (also known as the “Bushwick Birkin”). These bags sell out in literally seconds, and the limited drops make it all the more exciting to grab one (or two) whenever you can. Nowadays, the brand—which was founded by Telfar Clemens—is collaborating with other major brands like UGG and Moose Knuckles, so make sure you’re signed up for Telfar’s newsletter to be notified about new releases.

For founder Valerie Blaise, fashion and style have always been important parts of her life, but it wasn’t until she brought her very first vintage bag that she wanted to start designing and creating pieces for herself. By 19, she was teaching herself to sew through YouTube and courses at FIT and in 2015, she introduced Vavvoune to the world. When asked about her brand, she told Yahoo, “I see Vavvoune being like, out there. Like in artful spaces and spaces that tell stories. The way that I design is always going to be exciting. And it’s always going to be spontaneous and it’s always going to be experiential. Without curiosity, Vavounne wouldn’t be in existence.”

Akosua Afriyie-Kumi had one goal in mind when creating Aaks: to introduce world to the weaving techniques of women in Ghana. According to the brand, the design philosophy touches on telling “a different story through detail, colour and shape.” It’s why the mix of raffia and leather blends modern and traditional methods together for a signature bag to wear anywhere.

In 2013, Aurora James founded Brother Vellies to uphold African design practices and techniques. 11 years later, James keeps the core mission alive. From shoes to bags, the luxury brand offers accessories with cultural and contemporary significance.

This Montreal-based label wants to simplify and elevate your everyday. The bags are minimal, functional and gender neutral. While they’re design is mainly for traveling, you can (and should) wear them for just about any occasion. Like the brand’s motto states, “This is our pursuit to WANT less, WANT better.”

Creative director Zainab Ashadu combined her background in architecture, acting, fashion styling and art curatorship to launch Zashadu. While her love of bags started at a young age, it wasn’t until 2010 that the brand was officially born. The sustainable luxury brand prides itself on locally sourced materials, Nigerian artisans and a dash of glamour.

After working a long shift, former nurse Jevoni McAllister decided to launch what she couldn't find scrolling through her social media feed: a handbag line that caught her eyes and didn't harm the planet. Enter VONI, an accesories brand that vows to follow sustainable practices and use eco-friendly materials (like high-quality vegan leather) in all of their products.

If you're looking for sleek, minimalist pieces made of sustainable materials, check out MAX+min. Designer Tiarra Smallwood launched the luxury brand in 2018. As the site states, the brand represents "an appetite of lovers of minimalist fashion with maximum attention to detail." To that end, each bag offers intricate stitching, various fabric finishes (i.e., suede, metallic, leather) and unique bag handles to make a statement.

Inspired by her travels, founder Lola Banjo started Silver & Riley to give people functional yet stylish options that were easy to carry. Whether you're commuting to work or exploring the world, each bag is crafted in durable calf and cowhide leather and comes in simple designs that complement any look.