For most women, shoes and handbags are where it's at when it comes to fashion. The fact is, some of the most stylish and well-made shoes on the market today are made by black women and men. Here are the top 7 Black-owned shoe brands:
#1 - TucciPolo: Created by designer Tochukwu Mbiamnozi, these luxury handcrafted shoes are worn by a variety of celebrities... most notably in the United States by celebrity actor Anthony Anderson
#2 - Samantha Shoes: Owner Samantha Joseph wants every women to have at least one pair of great shoes. Her customers include Tyra Banks, Debra Messing, Sanaa Lathan, Wendy Williams, Geena Davis, Sophia Bush, Queen Latifah, Rachel Bilson, and Rihanna. Her shoes sell in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Russia.
#3 - Amina Abdul Jillil: Born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, this former professional dancer turned shoe entrepreneur launched her women's shoe collection in 2012. Her dancing career, performing with top stars like Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, led to another creative field, selling designer shoes in Los Angeles boutiques and also online.
#4 - Jhung Yuro: Owner Kris Wright created his line of luxury men's footwear because he felt there was a lack of quality shoes for men. Kris incorporates styles that reflect global influence and offers a luxurious, exclusive line of footwear for men. His UK-based store launched in 2005.
#5 - Nagast Footwear: Launched in 2015 by Tariq Edmondson, an Atlanta-based entrepreneur, this company designs, manufactures and distributes Afrocentric sneakers and athletic footwear for men and women. His Red, Black & Green sneaker is a favorite for conscious Blacks in the USA, Caribbean and the United Kingdom.
#6 - Tiannia Barnes: A luxury footwear company, founded by Tiannia Barnes in 2014, designed for sophisticated city women on the go who are looking to combine comfort with high end style.
#7 - Keexs: An Africa-inspired unisex footwear brand and the first smart shoe in Africa that has a Bluetooth connection to your smartphone, tablet or laptop.
Note: If you are wondering why Pastry Shoes by Angela and Vanessa Simmons isn't on the list, it's because they sold the company back in 2011 for a reported profit of $15 million dollars. The company still exists at www.lovepastry.com, but is no longer Black-owned.