The beginning of a new year provides a clean slate for a number of things: from new year resolutions to be healthier to overdue wardrobe transformations. But instead of heading straight into an overhaul of your entire style, we recommend easing into this new season by starting small, with key pieces of jewelry and accessories that will have lasting power in whatever wardrobe you curate for yourself in 2022.
Choosing the right accessories to complement your clothing is a form of self-expression that should not be underplayed. They have the power to make or break an outfit and well-chosen accessories can go a long way in elevating a look. With that in mind we’ve selected five pieces from African and Black-owned brands to add to your accessories collection this season.
The Motion Hoop Earrings by Octave
Inspired by the balance between sharp geometry and soft organic form, Brooklyn-based accessories brand Octave creates sculptural pieces that are carved from materials such as sterling silver and hand-cut jade, opal, agate and jasper stones. Carefully and skilfully crafted by hand, each piece is bold, characterful and designed to bring a sense of elegance to any look.
Comprising a square-edged silver hoop punctuated with an oval-shaped jasper stone, the Motion Hoop Earrings are eye-catching yet subtle.They are thin and lightweight, so you can comfortably wear them all day.
The Extended Docker Beanie by Crystal Birch
Founded in Cape Town, South Africa, milliner Crystal Birch is known for its fashion-forward headgear, which are all crafted by hand. Inspired by the belief that hats can radically transform your look and persona, the brand creates irreverent designs of classic hat styles, resulting in fashion-forward berets, beanie hats and felt fedoras that stand out.
The Extended Docker Beanie is the perfect blend of classic style and contemporary fashion. Handmade from 100% wool in a striking red hue, the hat is designed in a structured, vintage-inspired shape with a slightly elongated crown. Not only will it keep your head warm in the cold months, it’s a fashion-forward piece that will surely turn heads.
The Khartoum I Ring by KHIRY
Afro-futurist jewelry brand KHIRY was established by Jameel Mohammed to subvert the conventions of the luxury industry, making pointed statements about the value of black creativity and culture to advance a new vision of luxury. The luxury brand’s sculptural and sleek designs evoke West African craft and the rich cultural history of the continent through natural materials and semi-precious stones.
For the 18-karat gold vermeil Khartoum I Ring, Mohammed draws inspiration from the elegant curve of big-horned cattle native to Sudan. It has been cast and shaped by artisans from a solid band of metal that has a lightweight feel. The simple yet chic ring is perfect for accessorizing everything from smart dresses to everyday looks.
The Yshaia Mini Bag by EDAS
Accessories brand EDAS was founded by designer Sade Mims with a focus on sustainability to deliver feminine and staple handbags for the modern woman. Mims describes EDAS as an eclectic brand created for women like her, who like to "mix and match, and add old with new". Classic silhouettes are revamped and reinvented to appreciate nostalgia while bringing new life to old styles.
The trend for small bags shows no sign of waning and the Yshaia Mini Bag can just about fit all your essentials. A scaled-down version of the brand’s signature design, the mini bag is made from cowhide leather in a flax yellow hue that will add a welcome pop of color to muted winter outfits. It’s detailed with the signature oversized buckle and wide strap.
The Lua Earrings by Pichulik
South African accessories brand Pichulik crafts its jewelry by hand in Cape Town using artisanal materials such as braided rope and colorful threads. Inspired by the sacred relationship between women and their adornments, the pieces are designed as contemporary heirlooms that feel both modern and ancient.
Named after the Portuguese word for “moon”, the Lua Earrings are designed in the language of African artistry and ornamentation. The elegant crescent shape has been crafted from custom brass with a high polish finish, perfect for elevating the simplest of outfits, and on any occasion.
