Prior to becoming one of the two most popular Black accessory designers of the moment, Brandon Blackwood, the Jamaican-Chinese Brooklyn native, studied neuroscience at Bard College. He comes from a customary Caribbean family that “foreseen him finding a vocation in the stem world” until they discovered at his graduation that he was receiving his Bachelor’s degree in American Studies, not Neuroscience as they were led to believe. While his family thought he was out becoming the next Bill Nye the Science Guy, he was secretly interning at Elle and Nylon magazines. Shortly after graduation, he found employment at Crossroads Trading as a buyer. Through this position, he befriended editors and stylists, some of which encouraged him to sell a bag he had made for himself, which today goes by the Portmore Backpack on the brand’s website.

Essence Magazine initially introduced him to the world digitally, followed by Elle and Galore magazines, but stylist Raymond Gee first placed his product in print. His LLC was purchased in 2013, and in 2015, the brand began producing and selling bags professionally. He admits “everything really started taking off within the last two years.” It wasn’t just Kim Kardashian posting Brandon and his viral “End Systemic Racism” bag; it was also the traumatizing year that was 2020 that really pushed Black designers into a league of their own. Today, the brand sells on average between 6,000 and 8,000 bags a month, proving that Black designs are highly profitable.

What was your motivation for becoming a fashion designer?

I always wanted to do something in fashion, whether it meant being an editor or stylist, something more behind the scenes. If you or anyone had told me I would be a designer in college, I would’ve said, “hell no”… that sounds like the most stressful job ever. When I made and sold my first bag to a complete stranger, it was an out of body experience I’ve never felt before and haven’t felt since. Having it become someone’s favorite item was the best feeling in the world, and it took off from that moment.

What’s been the most challenging part of becoming a fashion designer and staying one?

Before all else, it was capital; today it’s an entirely different situation. Design is costly, particularly if you want to design and supply for a large number of people. I’m glad that I never needed to look for subsidizing and that it’s been organic from the start, but it’s been tough. My team was assembled gradually in light of the fact that I had to pick between hiring a new person or getting new product. The brand is doing so well now; we’ve made so much in profit in the last four months you wouldn’t even believe it, and we’re on course to do one million in the following quarter, which is truly amazing to say. Today it’s keeping the brand authentic. I always to say to my friends, “there’s always someone better out there who can design me under the table.”

What are your aspirations for Brandon Blackwood, the company?

I believe we’re at a point now that people know us for our bags and understand that if you purchase a Brandon Blackwood bag that you will be getting a good quality product. Our spring launch is going to be extremely exciting; I have a couple of things in the works. We’re venturing into eyewear, and you are actually the first to see these Brandon Blackwood sunglasses. I’m also moving into the home space for spring as I’m currently designing and finalizing a couple of candles that I wish you could smell through the screen, ha-ha. For fall 2021, we’re launching outerwear, which is going to be quite impressive.

Are there any designers, past or present, that you turn to for inspiration?

There are a several brands and designers I love and regard. Christopher John Rogers, Raul Lopez from Luar…clearly Telfar is killing right now his bags are impossible to get, which is iconic in itself. In terms of who I turn to for inspirations, it’s my close friends and customers. My girlfriends would take my samples out to clubs and such pre-COVID. My friends provide me with important feedback on what they wish individual bags had, whether it’s a longer strap, different color, fabric, or hardware. My customers are always telling me what they want, how they want it. At first, I only dabbled in muted tones until the demand for bright pinks and purples started pouring out in the comments online.

Is there any advice or message about being a designer that you’d like to share with those looking to follow in your footsteps?

I made a plethora of bad mistakes when I was first starting out, and it all boiled down to me not knowing my worth. Even if you’re just starting your brand and only have 200 followers, stick to what you feel you and your work is worth and don’t feel influenced by others to change it or lower your number…regardless of who these individuals are or what experience they have. No one will champion your brand like you, and I wish I had taken myself more seriously when I started.   

Since it is Black History Month, I would love to know what this month represents for you.

First, it shouldn’t just be a month. Black History, when all is said in done, should be second nature. A subject that we’re all taught and are consistently celebrating. I will say that in the last few years, there’s been more celebration around the month. There are more Black creatives now than any other time in recent memory, and I love to see that. As a Black creator, Black History Month represents a chance to reflect, sit down and be proud. We may not see it since we’re living in it, but we’re all making history right now. You curating interviews for the CFDA is major; that’s iconic. We have MLK, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman, and we wouldn’t be here without them. In recent years, Black History Month has seen a shift in which we are celebrating our ancestors as well as those that are here with us living and breathing now.

Is there any ancestor of ours you wish you could’ve met and why?

Unfortunately, I was never able to meet her, and she passed away sort of recently, in 2008, but Eartha Kitt. I find her super iconic in every way possible. You have this Black woman speaking French and being unapologetic in her total being. Eartha understood her star power, and people just had to deal.   

Are there any Black Designers/Creatives known or unknown that you would like to bring to the CFDA’s attention?

My buddy and Jamaican Designer Edvin Thompson of Theophilio is killing it. He’s is going to be so amazing. Sunni Dixon of SUNNI SUNNI, Johnny Nelson, is an excellent jewelry designer who needs to be highlighted. Austin “Breeze” Quinn, who goes by Breeze, definitely needs to be mentioned; he shot the imagery for this story and edited it all within two hours.

BrandonBlackwood.com

IG (brand): @brandonblackwoodnyc

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