Caribbean brands are on a steep rise, throughout the Caribbean and its diaspora. We see Caribbean culture influencing popular culture on a regular basis, but brands are following up to meet the demand and curate their authentic vision and Caribbean aesthetics. It’s time for consumers and lovers of the culture to step up and support these amazing brands not just for the holidays, but on a regular basis. Since it’s the holiday season I’m encouraging you shop small, independent and #BuyCaribbean ! We can only thrive if we support.
40 Authentic Caribbean Brands to support Click To TweetThe list is not in a particular priority, but divided into the following categories: Ready to Wear, Tees & Cultural Merchandise, Accessories, Literature, Beauty and other (art & stationery). All brands are of Caribbean heritage with availability to ship internationally.
Ready to Wear
Fabrice Tardieu has been involved in the fashion industry for over a decade. Beginning his career at Giorgio Armani in France, Tardieu rose through the ranks to hold the title of Head of Sales and Distribution for France and the French Caribbean. With countless years of international travel and work experience alongside the fashion industries top names and influencers, Fabrice learned the ins and outs of the business, design and management, driving him to move beyond sales and into creating a fashion brand that would reinvent the menswear market.
Currently available at select Neiman Marcus locations across the U.S., the collection is inspired by the multi-cultural energy of Miami as well as New York City, Paris and London street-cultures. The brand fuses times, places and essences, relentlessly cutting, threading and intermixing materials that Fabrice brings to his workshop in Italy, where his visions are fashioned with European craftsmanship.
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Fabrice attended school in the U.S. as well as in Paris, France where he studied international business management. Fabrice currently resides in Miami, Florida.
What started out as a small capsule release in celebration of The Bahamas’ 40th anniversary of independence quickly grew into an iconic clothing line in Bahamian history. A high regard for quality and distinction are the pillars of brand Bahari. It reflects their passion and dedication to creating premium lifestyle garments and products; focused around Bahamian culture and imagery.
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The vibrant menswear brand Peta Odini, created by designer Peta Odini Sutherland from multi island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She holds a BA (Hons) Fashion with a specialisation in Menswear from Ravensbourne, London and a Post Graduate Certificate in Brand Management from Seneca, Toronto. Sutherland began her studies in fashion as a Textile design student and this background is a huge influence in the development of her work.The Print Shop features Sutherland’s illustrations as an extension of her ready to wear men wear line.
Born in St. Johns, Antigua, Chen Burkett was quite tall for her age and found it difficult to find clothes that fit her stature. After attending sewing classes after school and during the summer. She honed of this skills, which allowed her to create her own custom garbs that complimented her taste and lofty frame. Over time, what started as a convenient artistry slowly transformed into a lucrative craft, officially established in New York City in 2014.
With family hailing from Ghana, Great Britain and of course Antigua, Burkett has used her family influences to create a vibrant and ingeniously fashionable aesthetic that bridges conceptual gaps.
Mamayashi creates original designs, which allow for culturally aware, regally confident people to wear their declarations of freedom and sovereignty everyday. She creates clothing because she believes that one of the ways we contribute energies to the society and the universe is through the way we dress.
She grew up in Jamaica under the protective care of a strong and determined mother, while watching her father work as an impeccable and well-respected tailor. Her journey evolved from crafting dolls’ clothing at her father’s shop to making revamping her adolescent clothing.
Her designs are heavily influenced by her love for Africa and the Rastafari journey. They reflect her values for natural creativity and growth, they also give honor to the African-minded leaders who have inspired her.
Engineered elegance. Fashion meets fabrication. Leveraging her background in mechanical engineering from Columbia University, Aisling Camps creates exquisite handmade knits. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2013 with a specialization in knitwear, Aisling started her eponymous brand at home in Trinidad. In 2015 Aisling relocated to New York to bring the clean, modern Caribbean aesthetic to a wider audience. Each piece is handmade and meticulously finished in her home studio in Brooklyn. Her work embodies grace and understated ease with unparalleled comfort due to the fastidious selection of the finest yarns.
Tees & Cultural Merchandise
Merch Carnival is an online shopping experience that connects fans to the Caribbean culture and Carnival experience that they love. Merch Carnival also works with upcoming and boutique brands to showcase and promote their products. They are a growing online hub where Caribbean brands and consumers can connect.
Lush Kingdom is a an expression of Caribbean love through print and design. We like coming up with fabric patterns, art and wonderful colours created by designer/illustrator James Hackett.
Rude bwoys and gals unite! Slang teez is a Jamaican brand merchandiser for men and women. Tees, caps, sweatshirts and more! Slang Teez was born in 2012 with the simple vision of using Slangs from around the globe and make them a platform to be wearable art that tells a story, strengthens humanity and inspires life through creativity and design
Embedded in the culture of Slang Teez is a passion for brilliantly designed tees, detailed illustration and a strong appreciation for all things creative.
Jewelry
Ann Ruth Henriques is a u.s.-based jeweler, visual artist, and writer who moves adeptly between each genre. Jamaican born and raised, anna has resided in France, Spain, England and japan, each culture contributing to the universality and richness of her work. she completed her b.a. at williams college, and m.f.a. at the University of California, san diego. her new jewelry collection focuses on unusual yet highly wearable gemstone combinations as well as finely sculpted organic forms.
Colour Riot is the jewelry brand for the bold, fashionable woman who’s forever young- at heart.Colour Riot’s message: “life isn’t black and white so your jewelry and accessories shouldn’t have to be either.” Explore and celebrate the joy that colour can bring to your life and to your wardrobe.
Bijou Lakay is a line of jewelry, accessories handmade by a community of several craftsmen. These fierce art workers come from different parts of the country and have migrated to the Haitian capital to seek a better being.
Bijou Lakay goes beyond this extraordinary concept. This line combines this centuries-old art with contemporary style that is free and individualistic. Using unique materials such as beef horn, wood, cedar or mahogany; and fine stones such as turquoise, jasper, malaquite and pearls.
Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, While studying at the University of the West Indies where she perused her Batchelor’s degree in Psychology and Human Resource Management, Josanne’s passion for design and beautiful things incited her to create jewelry which she sold to her fellow students and to a number of souvenir shops in Trinidad’s capital. Josanne’s philosophy hinges on jewelry as an art form that can evoke moods, inspire opinions or produce reactions. Reflected in many of her creations, is the harmonizing of organic andgeometric elements. Her collections have been showcased at several select events throughout Trinidad and in New York where she participated in the prestigious Grand Central Holiday exhibition.
Starting at the age of 16 , Loeloe started making bijoux and dream catchers and selling them.With a passion in jewelry she chose an education in goldsmithing at Vakschool Schoonhoven an Applied Arts School for Gold and Silversmiths and watchmakers in the Netherlands.
Today, Lovelies by Loeloe is based on the island of Curaçao and focusses on making handmade jewelry. Creating beautiful pieces that fits everybody’s taste while maintaining our own style. Because the islanders love being unique , custom orders are also a must.
Born in Trinidad, Crystal Antoine started off as a graphic designer/artist and found her true love and passion – jewelry design working with ceramic and mediums such as acrylic and brass. She believes, “There should be no limits to artistic expression so working in different mediums allows me to show my love for the art.”
Other Accessories
Drevait is a handbag brand that designs limited, one-of-a-kind, and made-to-order pieces, which offer a refreshing take on the Caribbean aesthetic. Based out of Trinidad & Tobago, you can find clutches, wristlets and other handbag accessories. Drevait caters to the woman who is always on-the-go, with only one mission in mind: to experience life.
Fanm DjanmFanm Djanm, which means “strong woman” in Haitian Kreyol, was founded in 2014 as a collection of eight headwraps, which lifestyle blogger and influencer Paola Mathé originally sold directly from her apartment on the weekends. Today, Fanm Djanm has transformed into a headwrap collection and lifestyle brand that serves to both empower and inspire women to live boldly. Fanm Djanm encourages women to wear a bold print, take command of a room, laugh a little too loudly, and pursue their greatest goals.
FANCY is a small Bajan company that makes handmade bags and trinkets with a passion to help individuals show how fancy they are. Their goal is simply to complement the exclusive way you choose to express yourself.
Inspired by Afro-Caribbean culture, Le Gendre handbags are a myriad of color and texture, designed and hand-sewn in New York City.
Radiating with positive vibrations, Territory VI is the homeland of free spirited souls on a journey to harmony, fulfillment and consciousness, dedicated to promoting self-expression and individuality through the creation of unique tribal and beaded sandals and accessories, all carefully handmade in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our items are for the fearless and stylishly conscious, featuring designs of batik/tribal prints, semiprecious stones and beads. Territory VI knows that we are one and believes in spreading itinual good vibes that uplift the souls of all who wish to enter. “One love, One world, One sole”
Jamaica Sandal Company offers handcrafted sandals from the gorgeous island of Jamaica. Their sandals are simple and classic flats with festive adornments made with leather and various colors and styles.
Literature
Til The Well Runs Dry by Lauren Francis-Sharma
Lauren Francis-Sharma, daughter of Trinidadian-born parents, was raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan Law School and practiced as a corporate lawyer before writing “‘Til the Well Runs Dry”, her first novel.
Set in Trinidad, in 1943, the main character Marcia Garcia, a splendidly talented, 16-year-old seamstress, is struggling to feed young twin boys left in her charge. She has a galvanizing effect on a young, confident Indian policeman, Farouk Karam. Their love should have been joyous, and they should have been able to raise their four children in harmony. Instead, their relationship is poisoned by racism, poverty, gossip, and corruption.
Francis-Sharma’s consummate portrayal of her stubborn, conflicted characters subtly illuminates the rigidity and treachery of Trinidadian society. Francis-Sharma’s spellbinding, intimately detailed, psychologically lush, and suspenseful tale of racial and sexual trauma, hard work, love, and family devotion makes personal the injustice people endured in the years leading up to the civil rights movement in both multicultural Trinidad and segregated America.
Callaloo is a children’s media brand that promotes cultural understanding and social awareness education for toddlers and children ages 3-7 through books, animation, live performance, digital content, games and arts education tools.
Callaloo: The Legend of the Golden Coqui is the second installment in the Callaloo book series from author Marjuan Canady and illustrator, Nabeeh Bilal. This story follows Winston and his best friend Marisol as they adventure from New York City to Puerto Rico to free the legendary golden coqui frog trapped in El Yunque Rainforest. Using clues left by the Taino Indians and the guidance of the coquis, the children navigate their way through the enchanted forest in hopes to complete their mission. In a race against time, Winston andMarisol must avoid the evil Chupacabra, solve the mystery and make it back home for Abuela’s Nochebuena dinner. (Ages 3-7)
Be You and Live Civil by Karen Civil
Be You and Live Civil; Tools for Unlocking Your Potential and Living Your Purpose incorporates Karen Civil’s personal journey through life, how she unlocked her purpose and how you too can gain mental strength through self-motivation, positive attitude, understanding and accepting yourself.
To reach the heights Karen Civil has – CEO and cultural influencer and digital renaissance woman – she had to first become mentally fit, which wasn’t always easy growing up in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After taking the reigns of her destiny through online communities, marketing and blogging, Karen found the keys to her continuous success.
Swim & Beach Wear
Handmade luxury swimwear made in Jamaica for all Sun Goddesses.
LAPOSHE is a contemporary resort wear brand that embodies the free-spirit of the beach lifestyle with a sophisticated twist. Inspired by its Caribbean roots and world travels, the line evolves a unique, tropical flair into a globally enticing aesthetic.
DKLYPSE DKLYPSE was founded by a young local from Nassau, Bahamas by the name of Kristen Cartwright in June 2013. In Kristen’s first year at college, she knew that swimsuits were her calling and she has been at it ever since. Kristen has designed over countless suits and has made Dklypse known all over The Bahamas. Dklypse features lots of uniquely designed swimwear handmade in the beautiful Country, The Bahamas by local Bahamians.
Beauty
Specializing beauty products made naturally, body butters, lip moisturizers, liquid black soap and more. A Life Balanced seeks to balance health and well-being using holistic approaches. A life Balanced will give you the knowledge and support you need to achieve your nutrition and health goals.
SHEEQ Cosmetics is a luxury Makeup and Skincare brand for Women of Color, created by Jamaican born makeup artist and beauty expert, Melissa Hibbért. With SHEEQ, you can rest assured that every makeup and skincare product are well thought out to ensure we deliver quality makeup to enhance your beauty. Our face products are available for the fair skin tone to dark skin women alike. The products are Hypoallergenic, Fragrance free, Allergy tested, Non-pore clogging and perfect for even the most sensitive skin. Natural makeup, natural cosmetics, botanical skincare and flawless application.
In 2007 Rochelle Campbell, the founder went “natural”. With inspiration from her mother, Marlene Moulton, and husband, Demond Campbell, she stopped chemically relaxing her hair and cut it all off. She did vigorous detailed research, reading herbal books her grandmother read while growing up in Jamaica. She was determined to find “natural” ingredients that would promote hair growth. Mixing and testing ingredients to create her perfect formula, the now famous Essential 17 Hair Growth Oil. By 2012 the Alikay Naturals line expanded into a formal company operating out of Fort Myers, FL. Entailing a manufacturing department and a retail storefront. Now, the line offers more than 60 products. It focuses on Natural Hair Care, Skin Care and Bath and Body. Keeping a core value to only use natural ingredients and can be found at various beauty supply chains, online and in Target.
Calypso Glow is an exciting range of Caribbean-inspired organic handcrafted skincare products, formulated to deeply nourish skin and naturally support its repair, replenishment and protection skin.
Over the years, founder and CEO Patricia Bentham has been inspired by the generations of women in her family who hand-make coconut oil using simple tools in their kitchens. Enjoying the many benefits and uses of coconut oils, especially in skin care has been part and parcel of living life naturally for generations of Caribbean families. Today’s range of Calypso Glow products pays homage to those Caribbean women who mix tropical herbs gathered from lush botanical forests, enjoy the abundance of fresh tropical fruits, and understand the natural healing power of the Caribbean sea.
The corporate girl born of Jamaican parents, LAW Beauty Essentials’ owner Tanisha Lawrence has always had a love for beauty products. LAW Beauty Essentials’ pigments are high shine, chip resistant and makes for a flawless application each and every time. Made in the USA, it’s formula is 5 free and cruelty free, meaning no animal testing or harsh chemicals. LBE focuses on technology and innovation to stay in tune with the rapidly growing cosmetics industry.
Sacha Cosmetics is manufactured in Trinidad and Tobago, where there are people of every complexion and summer all year round. To ensure that our women never look chalky or ashy in this bright lighting or photos, Sacha Cosmetics works tirelessly to successfully develop products that are flash-friendly on diverse skin tones.
Known for their foundations finish like a second skin, with a superior coverage and a lightweight feel. They never look or feel oily and provide excellent sun protection. Their Buttercup Powder is also completely flash-friendly and is the #1 Bestseller in Face Powder on Amazon.Their line of cosmetics include long lasting eye shadows and intense lip colors with a “pop” that can be seen a mile away.
Soaps, bath treats and body butters inspired by founder Marcia Allen’s home of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Allen grew up on the Caribbean Island of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.Now living and working in Texas, Marcia has developed a line of handmade soaps that speak to her childhood and native home.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island country in the Lesser Antilles, in the southern portion of the Windward Islands. It was called Hairouna (hi-rune-a) by the indigenous people of the island, the Caribs, which the region was named after. Hairouna means “Land of the Blessed.”
Born and raised in the US Virgin Islands among swaying palm trees, beautiful flowers, and the aromas of exotic fruits, creator – Yoki Hanley grew up in a family tradition of natural remedies and knowledge of local plants and fruits and how their importance to our lives. Yoki made her first soap with skin-loving oils like coconut, mango butter, lemongrass and lavender. After bathing her daughter with this soap for the first time, the change was dramatic – a tear free nightly bath and, for the first time since birth, a peaceful night’s sleep for mother and daughter. Yoki immediately knew she needed to share her knowledge with others and, over time, Itiba, as a collection of natural products, was born.
Yoki’s commitment to using natural, minimally processed and/or unrefined butters and oils blended into the best unisex skincare products to come out of St. Croix is driven by her purpose to produce a unifying range of products for all skin types regardless of the color of their skin and the shape of their body –phthalate free, mineral oil free, silicone oil free and paraben free.
Food
Ziggy Marley & Family Cookbook
Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook: Delicious Meals Made with Whole, Organic Ingredients from the Marley Kitchen Inspired by the Jamaican meals Ziggy enjoyed while growing up – with an updated healthy spin – the cookbook features a variety of contributions from family members, including Ziggy’s wife Orly, sister Karen and daughter Judah.
The cookbook also draws inspiration from Ziggy Marley Organics, Ziggy’s own line of hemp seeds and flavored coconut oils, which he launched in 2013. It was the positive response to Ziggy Marley Organics that eventually planted the seed for Ziggy to release a cookbook based on the foods of his life. Many of the recipes are vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free, from delicious and savory egg dishes, to healthy, nourishing juices, soups, and salads, to classic Jerk Chicken and fish recipes.
Roy “Gramps” Morgan, a member of the internationally renowned reggae group, Morgan Heritage, Being a lover of all foods and people, Gramps has now embarked upon the Food and Beverage Industry, starting his own Food line Gramps’ Farms. Bringing authentic Jamaican flavors to the mass the line is distributed worldwide and will also be affordable and healthy to all humanity. Gramps’ Farms will be a New Generation of Food and Beverages across the world, bringing great tasty Food and making people smile and say, “Yummy in My Tummy”.
Bacchanal Sauce is a fiery gourmet food company that celebrates the passion of the Caribbean with flavor-packed condiments made with exotic tropical ingredients. It is the home of Bacchanal Pepper Sauce, the unique handcrafted hot sauce made with island flavor & perfect heat! A delightful Caribbean hot sauce which allows chefs and home cooks to become the life of the party. It is the brainchild of a Brooklyn girl with Caribbean roots & grew out of a passion for pepper and a deep abiding love for rich unique flavors. Brooklyn made, Caribbean hot.
Haiti Uncovered by Nadege Fleurimond
Haiti Uncovered: A Regional Adventure Into the Art of Haitian Cuisine is a culinary coffee table book that embraces every region and tradition of Haiti. The Book will delve into the Art of Haitian Cuisine and will bring into focus the beauty of Haiti through its diverse culinary traditions there by offering Haitians and non-Haitians an opportunity to explore and learn. The beautifully bound and illustrated, hardcover book was released in 2014, presents and represents the dishes, recipes and cooking traditions, from geographical Departments of Haiti.
Other
The Artsy Trail is an online stationery store that helps people to celebrate life’s special moments through fine stationery created by Topp In Designz Ltd. The Artsy Trail believes that celebrating life should be made easy. They help effectively communicate your message in a creative way, allowing you to personalize our designs to suite your personal style. You can select your colour, choose your wording and leave the rest up to us to give your personalized product the best quality it deserves.
Originally from Trinidad & Tobago, Stacey Leigh has lived in the UK for over 12 years. Her use of bright textural color and various mediums like acrylic paint and feathers are inspired by the beautiful Earth, bubbling personalities, the way people communicate with just our bodies. “All that raw feeling has to be released somewhere and 9 times out of 10 my canvas gets it.”
Just a young girl from the Bronx name Pat, armed with some colored pens and pretty paper who was sent off to boarding school to begin to make her way in the world and to of course “learn her lessons.” This is where her love affair with stationery began. Born of Caribbean parents, the youngest of five and most lovingly referred to by my siblings as “the one that was born here.” Yep, born in the US but, in love with my West Indian culture.Pat’s designs are a reflection of her personal experiences and are filled with love and laughter
Mikelah
Mikelah is a Caribbean Culture expert, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora. A CUNY Baruch College graduate with a BBA in Marketing. With previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV and JAMROCK Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands.
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Love this list of holiday goodies!
Yes!!! Thanks!!!
There doesn’t seem to be any owners of the Spanish Caribbean. Why?
Hi Dee! It didn’t dawn on me until you asked! I most certainly should have included!!!! Are there particular brands that you would recommend?
When people write about the Caribbean it’s either about the non-Spanish Caribbean or the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. It gets divided. If we’re talking about the Caribbean, it should be as a whole. There are plenty of Spanish Caribbean business owners. Do the research and you’ll easily find it.
It’s weird you didn’t think about the biggest islands in the Caribbean – Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico…
I appreciate you calling it out. I agree with your sentiment. Again, it wasn’t purposeful. It’s up to us to change the narrative on how people see ALL of the Caribbean, so I appreciate your passionate about being inclusive and I think that it’s important.
Great! Hopefully some Spanish Caribbean owned businesses get added to the list