There's a good reason why everyone loves shopping at Urban Outfitters. It's a treasure chest of trendy clothes, quirky home decor, and cool gifts that feel both vintage-inspired and completely of-the-moment. It's the go-to spot for finding an edgy graphic tee, a floral midi dress, or the perfect unique piece for your apartment.
If you love that feeling of discovery and want to support amazing creators, we've put together a list of Black-owned brands that capture a similar spirit of individuality, creativity, and style. From accessible streetwear to statement-making luxury, here are 17 incredible brands to add to your rotation.
Think of Brother Vellies as the place you go for a true investment piece. Founded by Aurora James, the brand is famous for its artisanal, handcrafted footwear, bags, and accessories made with traditional African techniques. It's where you'll find shoes that are literally works of art, from feathered heels to shearling-lined clogs.
While Urban Outfitters delivers on mass-market trends, Brother Vellies offers timeless, luxury statement-makers with a story. It's a huge leap in price point, but if you love Urban's eclectic, crafty vibe and want an ultra-luxe, ethically-made version, Brother Vellies is a dream.
Shop now at brothervellies.com
Urban Outfitters has a great beauty section, but Mented Cosmetics takes it a step further by creating inclusive makeup specifically for deeper skin tones. The brand was founded on the idea that every woman should be able to find herself in the world of beauty, starting with the perfect nude lipstick.
Their product line includes everything from beautifully pigmented palettes to buildable foundations, all completely vegan and cruelty-free. If you love UO's curated beauty picks but struggle to find your shade, Mented should be your next stop.
Shop now at mentedcosmetics.com
Pyer Moss is fashion as art and activism. Visionary designer Kerby Jean-Raymond intertwines storytelling about Black history and culture into high-concept collections that make waves on and off the runway. The brand's blend of luxurious materials and streetwear silhouettes creates something entirely new and powerful.
Like Urban Outfitters, Pyer Moss celebrates creativity and self-expression, but it does so on a couture level with a deeply meaningful purpose. For those who view fashion as a platform for change, Pyer Moss is an essential label to follow and support.
Shop now at pyermoss.com
Known for its bright, eye-catching color palettes and ultra-flattering silhouettes, Hanifa designs modern womenswear for the confident woman. Founder Anifa Mvuemba gained viral fame for her groundbreaking 3D digital runway show, showcasing how the brand is pushing the boundaries of fashion.
Much like UO, Hanifa’s collections are filled with pieces you’ll want to wear on repeat, but with a more polished and occasion-ready feel. If you’re looking for a vibrant statement dress or a perfectly tailored top that commands attention, look no further.
Shop now at hanifa.co
Few brands have achieved the cultural icon status of Telfar. Famous for its simple, vegan leather shopping bag - often called the "Bushwick Birkin" - this unisex brand stands for accessible luxury with the motto "Not for you, for everyone."
The spirit of Telfar aligns with UO's knack for cult-favorite items, but with an unparalleled level of hype and inclusivity. Getting your hands on one of their coveted bags requires dedication, but it’s a modern classic that represents so much more than just a trend.
Shop now at telfar.net
If you live in Urban Outfitters' graphic t-shirt section, Come Tees is the brand you need to know. Run by artist Sonya Sombreuil, each piece feels like a wearable piece of art, often screen-printed with abstract graphics, poetry, and messages of empowerment.
The vibe is punk, artsy, and deeply authentic - capturing the rebellious spirit that UO often emulates. While UO stocks trends, Come Tees creates them, offering unique, limited-run pieces for those who want their clothing to carry a real message.
Shop now at cometees.com
For lovers of unique accessories, Sauda offers handcrafted jewelry that goes beyond simple trends. Inspired by African heritage and natural designs, their pieces tell a story. You’ll find bold, sculptural earrings and layered necklaces perfect for making a statement.
Sauda shares Urban Outfitters’ love for interesting, conversation-starting accessories but elevates it with a focus on cultural pride and intentional craftsmanship. It's the perfect place to find a signature piece of jewelry that feels personal and meaningful.
Shop now at saudajewelry.com
Step up your style with the bold, vibrant textiles from the ethical fashion brand, Kahindo. Named after its founder, Kahindo Mateene, the brand creates colorful, elegant, and modern clothing inspired by her African heritage. Think striking prints on sophisticated dresses, jumpsuits, and separates.
This brand brings the kind of statement-making energy you’d find in UO's dress section, but swaps casual boho styles for more refined, globally-inspired silhouettes. Every piece is ethically produced in Africa, adding a layer of conscious artistry to your wardrobe.
Shop now at kahindo.com
Not just one brand, Harlem's Fashion Row is a discovery platform dedicated to supporting and championing designers of color. They have an online shop and partner with major retailers (like Nordstrom) to create curated collections from the most exciting emerging Black designers.
Think of it as the ultimate inside source for cutting-edge fashion. Just as you might browse UO to see what's new and next, a visit to HFR's shop introduces you to a new world of high-concept, culturally rich fashion you won't find anywhere else.
Shop now at harlemsfashionrow.com
Co-founded by actress Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, Studio 189 is a fashion social enterprise that creates beautiful, artisanal African-inspired textiles and clothing. The brand works with communities in Ghana to produce pieces using traditional methods like hand-batiking and kente weaving.
Their vibrant prints and easy silhouettes will appeal to anyone drawn to Urban Outfitters’ bohemian and globally-inspired collections. However, Studio 189 offers true authenticity and a powerful social mission, letting you wear a piece with a real story.
Shop now at studio189.com
For the guys who love UO's stylish everyday wear but need something a bit more polished, Mizzen + Main is the answer. This brand is famous for reinventing men's dress shirts with performance fabrics - meaning they are stretchy, moisture-wicking, and wrinkle-resistant.
Their designs look sharp and classic but feel as comfortable as an athletic tee. It's the perfect grown-up alternative to UO's casual flannels and button-downs, ideal for work, weddings, or any occasion that calls for elevated yet low-maintenance style.
Shop now at mizzenandmain.com
True style is about function, too. Grace Eleyae is built on this idea with its signature line of satin-lined hats, beanies, turbans, and more. Bestselling products like the "Slap" (satin-lined cap) help protect hair from friction, prevent breakage, and maintain moisture, especially for natural and textured hair.
Like the quirky yet practical accessories you'd stumble upon at Urban Outfitters, this brand offers a genius solution to a real problem. For anyone looking to protect their hairstyle without sacrificing style, this is a game-changer.
Shop now at graceeleyae.com
UO's wellness section is filled with cool finds, and The Honey Pot Company fits right in. As a plant-based feminine wellness brand, its mission is to provide effective, herbal solutions for everything from washes and wipes to pads and tampons, all made with natural ingredients.
It has developed a massive, loyal following for its commitment to transparent, healthy, and accessible feminine care. For anyone looking to make more conscious, health-focused swaps in their personal care routine, The Honey Pot offers essentials you can trust.
Shop now at thehoneypot.co
If your Urban Outfitters cart is always monochrome, Blvck Supply is about to become your new favorite brand. Their entire aesthetic is built around the color black, offering a range of sleek, minimalist streetwear from hoodies and tees to hats and tech accessories.
This brand nails the high-end, edgy vibe that permeates UO's trendier collections. Its focus on quality materials and subtle branding makes it perfect for building a versatile wardrobe that's effortlessly cool and timelessly stylish.
Shop now at blvcksupply.com
Amsterdam-based menswear brand Daily Paper has become a global force in streetwear by blending contemporary fashion with the founders’ African heritage. The collections are packed with killer graphic tees, statement outerwear, and tailored tracksuits featuring bold prints and powerful brand messaging.
Daily Paper shares UO’s commitment to culturally-relevant graphic apparel but with a more grown-up, global perspective. If you love discovering the next big thing in streetwear, you’ll find it here.
Shop now at dailypaperclothing.com
Topicals is rewriting the rules of skincare, making the treatment of chronic conditions like eczema and hyperpigmentation feel fun, not clinical. With punchy, shelfie-worthy packaging and science-backed formulas, this brand has taken the beauty world by storm.
Their beloved "Faded" and "Like Butter" products are TikTok famous for a reason - they work. Topicals captures the Gen Z-focused, slightly-edgy vibe of UO's beauty aisle perfectly, making it an essential brand for anyone dealing with less-than-perfect skin.
Shop now at mytopicals.com
A true trailblazer in the beauty aisle, Shea Moisture has become a household name for its natural, affordable, and effective hair and skin products. Rooted in Shea Butter and other nourishing ingredients from Africa, the brand champions curly, coily, and textured hair like no other.
You can sometimes even find Shea Moisture at UO, but its foundational role in empowering the natural hair community and commitment to fair trade ingredients deserve its own spotlight. It's the go-to for anyone looking for holy-grail conditioners, masks, and stylers that really work.
Shop now at sheamoisture.com
At Apart Style, we're obsessed with curating the best in fashion, beauty, and jewelry to help you discover new brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, style, and uniqueness. When you make a purchase through our links, Apart Style may earn a commission - which helps support our small team, and allows us to continue bringing you the best in online style brands.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our full brand directory or check out our curated brand guides to find your new favorite thing.
