If you aren’t familiar with SSENSE, it’s the online epicenter for buying luxury brands and high-end streetwear. Founded by the three Atallah brothers, the goal was to take away the obstacles and headaches that could arise from purchasing high-end fashion and democratize the latest, coolest brands.
More than any other platform right now, SSENSE does curation right. They’re painfully aware of which pieces from new collections are a fit for their audience. They show you what’s relevant and hot right now — prioritizing pieces you’ll genuinely like rather than what’s just being pushed by the brand. Now, SSENSE carries brands of all price points from Adidas to Versace.
Another highlight: SSENSE is known for its brand diversity. They often highlight Black-owned brands and showcase collections from people of color and lesser-known designers. To close out Black History Month 2024, SSENSE is teaming up with none other than ESSENCE: a pairing that makes perfect sense.
ESSENCE, the lifestyle publication geared towards Black women, is helping feature three designers and artists: Bianca Saunders, Mowalola, and Stanley Raffington. The series will showcase their designs and tell their story.
According to SSENSE’s site,
“The two brands are turning ESSENCE’s “In The Studio” print franchise into a video series hosted by Lynette Nylander. The series will spotlight the achievements and creativity of Black designers who have significantly impacted the menswear realm. With three episodes, each featuring a distinguished designer, the series offers exclusive insights into their creative processes and journey,”
Meet The SSENSE X ESSENCE Feature Designers
Bianca Saunders
Bianca Saunders
British GQ
Bianca Saunders’ clothing embraces masculinity in womenswear. Her jackets will always be a bit oversized, or the style will mimic a classic streetwear bomber that could have been borrowed from boys like Jeremy Allen-White and Jacob Elordi — a girl can dream.
“The essence of Saunders' clothing lives in the details, which point to how she subverts ideals often associated with menswear.”
Finding the intersectionality between workwear and streetwear, Saunders clothing is genderless and trendy. Some of her signatures include layered shirts, tucked waists, and somewhat minimalist designs.
@babyboyflame Buying Black: @Bianca Saunders #streetwear #menswear #blackownedbusiness #fashion #fashiontok #fashiontiktok ♬ Oldschool - Cookin Soul
Mowalola
Mowalola
Joyce NG
Mowalola, a highly sought after designer whose pieces have been worn by the likes of Rihanna and Naomi Campbell, is a bit of an icon in the fashion world. Her mantra for fashion is “do what you want to do” and that’s exactly the kind of energy Mowalola’s clothes give off.
Much like Bianca Saunders, Mowalola is known for her gender bending designs. Inspired by cinema, many of her collections revolve around movies. And this is on full display at her cinematic runway shows.
She brings an edge to her designs through textures like leather and intentionally placed cutouts. She’s not afraid to make public commentary on race and gender, making her runway shows incredibly popular.
“The British designer has shifted the cultural zeitgeist with her boundary-pushing collections inspired by the world around her.”
@i_d Replying to @JAC So are we! #ferragamo #maximiliandavis #tiktokfashion #mfw #mowalola ♬ original sound - i-D
Stanley Raffington
Stanley Raffington
ESSENCE
In a world where the Chanel black-and-white aesthetic hails ever-popular, especially amongst those emulating Old Money Style and Sofia Richie’s closet, it’s hard to find designers who aren’t afraid of a bit of color…enter Stanley Raffington.
Often incorporating Rastafarian colors of red, yellow, and black as an ode to his Jamaican roots, Raffington isn’t going to shy away from any hue. He quickly rose into fashion prominency when Madonna and FKA Twigs attended his show, which included 3D printed accessories.
Constantly inspired by his Jamaican roots and the nostalgia of past trends, you will see lots of Y2K nods in Stanley Raffington’s clothing. He’s embraced tech in the fashion world by utilizing 3D printing in many of his designs and runway shows, and he’s not slowing down now.
@yungstanz Process behind my 3d printed curve bag. Taking inspiration from the architecture of Zaha Hadid, mixing new technology with natural materials and craft. Available now exclusively at @SSENSE ♬ Never Lose Me - Flo Milli
Black-Owned CBD Brands You Need to Know
We're profiling POC-owned CBD brands that are making a splash in the industry and improving their communities at the same time.
Despite the CBD boom and the recent moves towards decriminalization and legalization all over the US, people of color haven't benefited as much as they should have. In the US, 80%-90% of cannabis businesses are led by white people; while at the same time, people of color are much more likely to suffer the brunt of criminalization.
According to the ACLU, Black people in the US are 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for simple possession than a white person, despite the fact that usage rates are about the same across the demographics. Even before arrest, interaction with police can often prove fatal, as the still ongoing Black Lives Matter protests remind us.
The Importance of Supporting POC-Owned CBD Companies
Running a CBD business is hard work, especially for people of color who are less likely to get the same amount of connections and access to funding.
"We don't get the same financial support due to the red tape that still exists over our industry," explains Almaz Adeigbola, the co-founder of Brwnbox in New Jersey. "It is hard to promote and we run on the support of our community and nothing else. Minority-owned businesses are made up of people that are the foundation of our social structure and we should always prioritize their needs and support them so that they can continue to provide their services."
Despite being dealt a tough hand, there are still many incredible CBD businesses and brands owned and led by people of color. Their work often positively impacts the communities they work in and helps to counter the ill effects of structural racism.
"We believe supporting businesses owned by people of color is important for a community to grow and thrive," says Alexzandra Denis of Avalah Skincare in Brooklyn. "The variety of culture, foods, ideas, and ingenuity brought into the neighborhoods these businesses operate in, not only teaches people about different cultures but allows for conversations that can break down the walls of racism, poverty, stereotypes, and inequality."
Today, we're profiling some of our favorite POC-owned CBD brands from all over the country that are making a splash in the industry.
Unoia
Products: CBD honey, oils, topicals, and pet treats
Based in: Atlanta, Georgia
Founded by Brande Elise and Danielle Gray, Unoia is a cheerful brand with a holistic portfolio.
"We're focused on how CBD assists with mental health, mindfulness, and self-care. CBD is not the answer, rather one of the many ways to help us achieve ongoing mental wellness," explains Gray.
Their products are all organic, and we love how accessible they make their Certificates of Analysis. Their honey and agave packs are absolutely delicious, but we're waiting for them to make a human-version of their CBD peanut butter pet treats!
Brwnbox
Products: CBD flower, pre-rolls, tinctures, topicals, and more
Based in: Orange, New Jersey
Brwnbox is a one-stop-shop for all of your CBD needs! "We hope to insert ourselves into a client's daily routine with products such as anxiety and pain-relieving tinctures, gummies great for sleep, honey for the tea drinker, and non-psychoactive flower for smokers," explains co-founder Almaz Adeigbola.
They focus on the wellness experience of their clients and have adapted to the current climate with curbside pickup. Fear not if you're not in New Jersey, because they also offer delivery all over the US. They source their ethically-grown hemp from Colorado.
Avalah
Products: Natural skin and haircare, CBD-infused body oils
Based in: Brooklyn, New York
Avalah's all-natural products are perfect for re-creating the spa experience at home because they are made with sumptuous plant oils and fragrant essential oils. They have a large line of body oils infused with CBD, and with 1200 mg per 8 oz, they really pack a punch. They also carry non-CBD cosmetics and beard care products. The scent profiles are particularly well-chosen, so they're the perfect brand for the aromatherapy fanatic.
Brown Girl Jane
Products: CBD tinctures, oils, and skincare
Based in: Washington, D.C.
Owned and operated by sister duo Malaika and Nia Jones, as well as wellness expert Tai Beauchamp, Brown Girl Jane is a CBD business that centers the wellness of women of color. Their range of offerings is well-curated, including tinctures with varying CBD strengths, an intimate oil, and skincare. The brand's website also serves as a platform, with a blog and a bi-weekly chat on IG Live.
Rewind by Rodney Wallace
Products: CBD Isolate oils, edibles, soft gels, topicals, and pet chews
Based in: New York
"As someone who has faced adversity, we ensure that every move we make is inclusive," co-founder Rodney Wallance explains about Rewind. "The only way we can all truly be successful is by celebrating other people's wins. By supporting us it means you are an advocate for change and justice. This translates into the world moving in the right direction, which is how humanity can achieve greatness."
The Costa Rican footballer launched his own line of CBD-isolate products after noticing that the full-spectrum products he was taking to deal with pain were clouding his mind. Though made with athletes in mind, the range is comprehensive with products for the entire family!
Homebody
Products: CBD bath soaks
Based in: Apple Valley, California
Homebody makes the prettiest CBD bath soaks we've ever seen, with fantastic skin-loving ingredients and a touch of mica that turns your bath iridescent. The products are all made in small batches, so wait times on shipments are sometimes a little long. Trust us, though - it's worth it!
EngErotics
Products: Intimate CBD body care, intimate devices
Based in: Denver, Colorado
Founded by structural engineer Raven Faber, EngErotics is a brand that knows that CBD can enhance pleasure and relaxation. EngErotics CBD body products can be used in conjunction with the intimate devices they carry, for the best kind of alone time.
Satan's Breath Hot Sauce
Products: CBD-infused hot sauces
Based in: Charlotte, North Carolina
We never would have considered the combination of CBD and hot sauce if it wasn't for Satan's Breath owner and chef, Paul Booker. Your mouth might burn, but the rest of you will feel blissfully calm, thanks to the 50 mg of CBD in each jar of hot sauce. Flavors include the original, Jamaican Mango, Habanero Pineapple, and Sweet Heat.
This 4/20, It's Time to Go Green
CBD and legalized marijuana could help the environment.
Plants are extraordinary.
They give us so much beauty, nourishment, and medicine—and few plants are more beloved than cannabis, a genus of flowering plant that produces CBD and THC, among other treasures.
There are three main types of cannabis plants: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. "Hemp" and "marijuana" are broad classifications of cannabis, with hemp generally referring to a type of cannabis that does not have psychoactive effects.
Since ancient times, the cannabis plant has been used as a treatment for mental and physical illnesses, and CBD in particular is rapidly growing in prominence as a therapeutic and relaxing force with far fewer side effects than its psychoactive sibling.
Today is 4/20, a date many know as the unofficial holiday of the cannabis plant. This Wednesday, 4/22, is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a date dedicated to celebrating our planet and our connections to it.
As many of us turn to CBD and other natural products in this time of pain and suffering, it's the perfect time to thank our planet for all that it provides us. It's also a great time to get educated about cannabis, the environment, and our relationship to them.
The Cannabis Industry Is Actually Very Bad for the Environment
Here's the bad news: The cannabis industry can actually have extremely negative effects on the environment. (Tragic, right?)
First off, cannabis plants generally use a tremendous amount of water—nearly 23 liters per day for one single mature plant, according to a 2016 document (as opposed to 13 liters for an ordinary wine grape plant). The illegal indoor cultivation of cannabis also requires tremendous amounts of energy; this process alone consumes about 3% of California's electricity usage, leaching off tons of carbon dioxide in the process.
Furthermore, spikes in demand for cannabis plants can result in habitat destruction, erosion, deforestation and other environmentally devastating activities. The chemicals used to kill rodents and pests that damage the crops can also put wildlife in danger, especially when pesticides are deregulated.
But that's not to say that we should stop growing the devil's lettuce. There are many potential environmental solutions that could solve the issue of cannabis's environmental consequences. For example, hydroelectric dams could help circumvent the problem of increased carbon emissions. Some places like Boulder, Colorado are requiring cannabis growers to offset their carbon emissions, and others are investing in energy-efficient growing techniques. Legalization could also help ameliorate many of marijuana's worst environmental consequences.
Still, if you're worried about the environmental impact of your joint, CBD might be a great option.
How CBD Can Help the Environment
For all its negative effects, some forms of cannabis cultivation can actually be quite beneficial for the environment. One form of CBD in particular, industrial hemp, can be particularly beneficial for nature's ecosystems. Out of all the types of cannabis plants, industrial hemp may be the least damaging to the environment.
Industrial hemp is a member of the cannabis family that has a lower than 0.3% concentration of THC (by dry weight). Hemp crops can help control erosion, preserving nutrients and fostering healthy ecosystems while ingesting toxic chemicals and preserving soil health. (It was even planted to reduce concentrations of toxins at Chernobyl, for example).
Hemp can easily be recycled, and it may even be a potential biofuel that could help shift humans away from their reliance on fossil fuels. Plus, because CBD is legal at the federal level in America, growers aren't forced to keep it indoors like they are with marijuana, which means that the process requires far less energy and produces fewer emissions than its more psychoactive counterpart.
This isn't to say that we should all abandon THC for CBD. Instead, we should look to hemp's environmental benefits and examine how to extend them to the entire cannabis industry.
Hope For the Future: A Greener World
Legalizing marijuana could be an important step towards reducing the industry's overall carbon footprint. If marijuana growers can plant their cannabis in glass greenhouses rather than secret basements, this would help reduce the amount of electricity needed to grow the plants in the first place.
So the point is: You don't have to let go of your 4/20 celebrations in order to celebrate Earth Day. Instead, we all need to support widespread marijuana and hemp legalization as well as regulations that pivot us away from fossil fuels, towards cleaner, greener sources of energy.
Today, as you take your CBD or enjoy the cannabis plant however you prefer to do so, take some time to kick back and imagine a better, greener world. Imagine a world where cannabis is legal in all forms.
In this world, human beings work to heal nature while being healed by it. There's no more acrid smoke in the air, except for the fumes we willingly exhale as we tend to our backyard marijuana plots. Nobody is behind bars for marijuana possession; instead, everyone has a shot at a good job working with clean energy, rebuilding the world's infrastructure so that it relies on our natural resources—like wind, water, and sunshine. Everyone is healthier and calmer, because we all have access to plenty of nature's medicine. The pandemic is over, and we're all outside together in a park, with our reusable glass CBD canisters and our joints. The new Rihanna album is playing ambiently overhead.
Dreams, dreams… but this 4/20 and this Earth Day 2020, we all need some of those, right?