WORDS Jonquil Lawrence
Historically, the most sustainable forms of consuming fashion have been purchasing vintage, second hand and thrifted clothing, or learning to craft your own clothes. Now in 2020 making our style sustainable is more important than ever. Due to the current environmental and political climate I think we can all agree that the participation in sustainable fashion when possible whilst also holding exploitative fashion brands accountable is absolutely vital.
A key part of dismantling systemic racism within a capitalist society is to stop supporting unethical and problematic fashion brands, and instead elevate POC talent and support black-owned businesses. Here’s a selection of our favourite sustainable black-owned Depop businesses – let’s put our money where our mouths are.
MIA JOSEPH
| DEPOP | @mayaemade |
| @mayaemade |
Bristol-born, Brixton-based designer Mia Joseph creates colourful one-off pieces from the inside of her bedroom, and via Depop has now turned this into a booming business. Mia uses overlocked raw stitching and incorporates various materials such as mesh and jersey to construct into vibrant patchwork tops, co-ords and dresses. Having been featured in the Depop Space at Selfridges London last year @mayaemade is now a favourite with Jorja Smith, Jordyn Woods and Stefflon Don.
MISS JASON
| DEPOP | @comcwithmissjason |
| @jasonscloset |
A more recent member of the Depop community, the gag-worthy and loveable host of Youtube series ‘Jason’s Closet’ Miss Jason has created a non-profit account @comcwithmissjason in order to raise money for The UKQTIBIPOC Hardship Fund. Miss Jason has received donations of gorgeous designer pieces from the likes of FKA Twigs and Lily Allen amongst other celebrity friends. With even more pieces to come, so far we’ve seen drops of Art School pieces, Ashish, Liam Hodges, Xander Zhou and Alan Crocetti to name but a few. The UKQTIBIPOC Hardship Fund offers financial aid to cover living costs for Queer, Trans and Intersex POCs who have been affected mentally, physically or financially by COVID-19. 100% of proceeds from the fashion sale are going to the important cause.
CHRISTIANA JONES
| SHOP | www.christianahjones.com |
| @christianahjones |
Whilst studying at Kingston University in 2017 Christiana Jones found her beginnings in business and fashion on the app Depop selling vintage sunglasses and clothing inspired by her travels. What started as a small passion soon blossomed into a hugely successful business platform. Now specialising in sunglasses, the designer creates pairs inspired by the 90s favoured by models, artists and influencers alike. Her signature style is angular framed micro glasses with tinted lenses that come in an array of colours. Although now no longer selling via Depop, her stock is available to buy via christianahjones.com and also in Selfridges.
MINI’S WORLD
| DEPOP | @minisworld |
| @minis_w0rld |
Depop Community Leader, Adwoa Owusu-Darko and her inspiring account started way back in 2016. Adwoa gradually built up her audience through graft and consistency selling sustainable vintage clothing, and in the past year has both doubled her followers and her sales. Mini’s World sells casual versatile vintage pieces at affordable prices. Since April 2020, Mini now offers consulting sessions via her launch of ‘MINI’s LAB’ which provides one on one advice in order to help other Depoppers grow their business.
The community of kindness on Depop
THE KAHLO
| DEPOP | @thekahlo |
| @michaelboardii |
Visual and performance artist Micheal Boardii runs a gender-fluid Depop account @thekahlo which offers an array of gorgeous and vibrant high-quality vintage clothing modelled in an aesthetic experimental way.
POCA LONDON
| DEPOP | @pocalondon |
| @pocalondon |
Poca London run by Jade Laurice, sells hand-painted customised vintage wear and accessories. From phone cases to artwork to headwear and graffitied jackets – all of Poca London’s pieces are special and one-off.
YOUTHCLUBSTORE
| DEPOP | @youthclubstore |
| @youthclubstore |
Run by Dalston-based Prince, Depop business @youthclubstore sells designer garments and sportswear. Prince curates and sources vintage clothing influenced by local youth and creative communities around him in East London.
SPOOKY WORLD
| DEPOP | @spookyworld |
| @spooky.world |
This black, queer-ran Depop business sells vintage colourful gender-fluid clothing, modelled on diverse POC queers in a range of sizes – things we love to see? It.
SUICIDE RASCAL
| DEPOP | @suiciderascalfoundation |
| @suiciderascal |
Suicide Rascal sell an eclectic selection of vibrant vintage pieces at affordable prices.
STUDIO DEM
| DEPOP | @studiodem |
| @studio_dem |
Depop account Studio Dem sells elegant and chic vintage high-end pieces for all occasions, not just clothing but jewellery, handbags and shoes too.
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