Standing In Solidarity: Supporting Black Owned Pittsburgh Fashion

Like many of you, my heart has been heavy this past week.  As a small business, FN stands in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters who have suffered inequality and injustice, for far too long.  Racism will never be tolerated in our business.  We pledge to listen, to learn, and to strive to make our little world of fashion more inclusive and representative of this great city of Pittsburgh.  Today's blog hopefully will help you explore an important part of Pittsburgh's culture.  Here is just a sampling of black-owned businesses, specifically fashion related for you to support...I hope you discover at least one new favorite!

 

The Black Business Directory Guide:

A guide to help you find black-owned businesses in Western Pennsylvania and the Greater Pittsburgh Area. A great resource as you can find these businesses within a multitude of categories and industries.  Click here to view the directory.

Knotzland:

Ethical, Wearable Art. Named Pittsburgh’s Best Local Brand in 2018, Knotzland takes the best in textile discards and reuses them to create stylish bowties. Owner, self-taught CEO Nisha Blackwell has helped vastly reduce the disposal of fabrics that may otherwise end up laying around and polluting our environment. To date Knotzland has rescued over 1,700lbs of textile waste and over 1,000 of it (and counting) has already made its way to their new home on the necks of their amazing customers!  Currently, due to the pandemic and the need for masks to keep the public safe, they are creating sustainable stylish masks.  https://knotzland.com/

Kin of Duncan:

Owned by 13-year old (the youngest entrepreneur at the Gallery on Penn) Jasmiere Bates, Kin of Duncan has enhanced Pittsburgh’s “fur kids” with original clothing for peoples’ dogs. Items include things like custom made bandanas, shirts, hoodies, windbreakers, and even sunglasses (all for your pup of course!).  Click here to view Kin Of Duncan's Facebook page.

A Woman’s Touch Boutique:

This boutique has been described as a “candy store” for hats! A Woman’s Touch Boutique carries both causal and church apparel, accessories, and more.  Click here to view A Woman's Touch's Facebook Page.

Avon Products Inc:

Owned by Kim Talbert, a lover of Avon products. She’s here to guide you through their amazing products and give you exclusive deals. As your local Avon rep, she’s also sharing makeup tips and tricks.  Click here for Kim's Avon page.

Best Buy Uniforms:

This national manufacturer with local distributors has over 35 years of experience of being an industry leader in providing uniforms, custom apparel, and promo items across all industries. In the Pittsburgh area, they provide apparel for large organizations including UPMC, Kennywood Park, Primanti Brothers, University of Pittsburgh, and Duquesne University.  https://www.bestbuyuniforms.com/

CC Xpressions:

Fun, trendy, and chic! Owned by Clarissa Clirsa, the CC Xpressions mission is to inspire women to love and be comfortable in their own skin via fashion while discovering their own stylimony, no matter how eclectic it may be. Don't be afraid to switch it! Embrace your stylimony!  https://shopccxpressions.com/

Clayton’s Clothing:

This men's and women’s apparel store, owned by Brian Clayton, is a local favorite for fresh, trendy, and unique styles. Products range from shoes and accessories to swimwear, nightlife, and special occasions!  Click here to view Clayton's Clothing's Facebook Page.

Focused Fashion Consulting, LLC:

Focused Fashion Consulting LLC is here to help clients focus on what their style is, how to enhance it, and how to leave a lasting impression wherever they go with their wardrobe. Owned by Lakisha Pattin (an award-winning fashion stylist), Focused Fashion Consulting LLC offers a tri-fold service of hair, makeup, and wardrobe and has done style segments for KDKA Channel 2 News, Dress for Success workshops, and a partner for Pittsburgh Fashion Week.  Click here for the Focused Fashion Consulting Facebook Page.

360 Café LLC:

Owned by Tyleda Worou, 360 Café was opened in 2017 as a response for a growing concern for the east side black community's lack of access to affordable holistic health and wellness care. 360 Café is here to service individuals looking for a more holistic approach to healing the mind, body, soul, and spirit.  What I love about this brand is that they are encouraging children to focus on creativity instead of electronics and toys.  Eight-year-old Peyton has developed a line called "Peyton Createz" launched in Summer 2019.  Thirteen-year-old Tyric developed "Tyric's Designz" after getting bored with store-bought clothing and accessories.  His products will be coming soon to their website.  https://www.360cafellc.com/

Sittoy Boutique:

An incredible shop that creates garments tailored to fit your personal style. Owned by Yottis Tinsley, a fashion designer who brings innovative elements to her designs, Sittoy has been featured in fashion shows around the world and celebrates occasions such as weddings, proms, and birthdays!  https://shopsittoy.com/

Smoye Fashion:

Owned by Stephanie Moye (award-winning fashion designer and stylist) who has been featured in our own Carnegie Museum of Art), S. Moye' celebrates women by creating ready-to-wear that highlights style and self-expression. Her designs are infused with elegance and a touch of edginess.  https://www.smoyefashion.com/

O.O.T.W. Creations:

Owned by local artist, Rainclashh, O.O.T.W. Creations fuses art and fashion all in one. O.O.T.W. takes fashionable pieces and reimagines them though painted art and every piece created is hand (and heart) done. Her work has been featured in fashion shows throughout the area as well as on KDKA!  Click here for Rainclashh's Facebook Page.

Show Your Support

As we've mentioned before, writing a review for your favorite local shops is one of the best things you can do to show your support during this time! Normally we ask our customers for reviews of our own shop, but today we are encouraging you to write reviews for any of your favorite local black-owned businesses. Thank you, FN-atics,  we appreciate you!