A sustainable luxury discovery platform for independent Black-owned brands

The platform is re-imagining the retail industry’s cultural landscape by creating spaces for independent businesses of the African diaspora to thrive

Spotted: Black consumers are far more likely to say that the products and services available today do not meet their needs according to McKinsey’s Inclusive Consumer Survey. The same study also found that supporting Black-owned brands is important to the buying decisions of 92 per cent of Black consumers. 

Yard + Parish is a UK-based discovery platform for sustainable Black-owned luxury. With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, the platform provides curated offerings of fashion, beauty, wellness, and homeware products, powered by a growing community of over 40 independent Black-owned brands.

The site was founded in 2019 by cousins and co-chief executives Alesha Bailey and Samantha Newell. The idea for Yard + Parish was “born out of the frustration in not finding products that were right for us,” explains Bailey. The Jamaican-Canadian duo grew up in Brampton, Ontario before moving to the UK. They recall that “although we lived in a diverse community, the local stores never considered us in terms of beauty and fashion.”  

Yard + Parish aims to be the go-to destination for modern Black women who want eco-friendly and luxury products. Some of the brands carried by Yard + Parish include Afro Hair & Skin Co., Willow & Mane, A+ffirmation Culture, Talou London, and Latticia Organics.  

In addition to offering a curated selection of products, Yard + Parish also provides editorial content on topics such as natural hair care, sustainable living, and wellness. 

Inclusivity in retail is an important issue, and Springwise has previously spotted a marketplace for Black-owned businesses, and a digital bank serving Black and Latinx-owned companies.