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    13 Incredible Female-Owned Businesses To Support This International Women's Day

    Who run the world?

    Valeza Bakolli
    by Valeza Bakolli

    BuzzFeed Staff

    If you ever needed an excuse to support women-owned brands, this very special day should be it. And just in case you needed a bit of inspo, read on to find out about a few companies I discovered recently and am now obsessed with!

    Strong Opinions Loosely Held / Via Refinery29

    1. ✨ Dearcurves ✨

    Dearcurves

    The founder: Ojoma Idegwu

    A bit about them: This plus size fashion label creates a gorgeous mix of statement and essential pieces that, in their own words, "reinvent the plus size silhouette". We love to see it. Their pieces are reasonably priced, of a premium quality, and typically feature stunning prints – the perfect recipe for your first post-lockdown outfit, IMO.

    Our top pick: This beautiful leopard print kimono (price: £75.00 – it’s available in UK sizes 14-30 and also comes in a bunch of other prints).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    2. ✨ GNGR Bees ✨

    GNGR Bees

    The founder: Nathalia Grisard

    A bit about them: They're a London-based activewear brand who ethically make all of their pieces using waste products like plastic bottles and fishing nets. Their workout gear is flattering, breathable, and (importantly) includes pockets! They strive to make every area of the business as eco-friendly as possible – notably, their ingenious packaging that's made using reclaimed cement sacks and is intended to be repurposed into cute shopping bags.

    Our top pick: This stunning and supportive sports bra (price: £45.00 – it's available in sizes XS-XL).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    3. ✨ The Afro Hair and Skin Co. ✨

    The Afro Hair and Skin Co.

    The founder: Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka

    A bit about them: They make beauty and lifestyle products that encourage the user to slow down and appreciate the simplicity of beauty rituals. Their beauty products are specially formulated to meet the unique needs of afro-textured hair and melanin-rich skin, and where possible they use ingredients that are sustainably grown, harvested, and cold-pressed in the UK.

    Our top pick: The deeply nourishing Bloom hair treatment oil (price: £22.50).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    4. ✨ Labadi Studios ✨

    Labadi Studios

    The founder: Yvonne Gyamfi

    A bit about them: They’re a premium slow fashion brand that place *just* as much importance on the fit and shape of their pieces as they do on their carefully-selected colours and prints. All their pieces are made to order, and you can request custom measurements to ensure they flatter your unique shape. This green co-ord lives in my mind rent free – it’s giving me Clueless-with-a-modern-twist vibes, and I predict I’ll be living in it once it's warm enough to do so!

    Our top pick: The green version is coming soon, but this 'bluetooth' printed skirt is available now! (Price: £50.00 – it’s available in sizes XS-XL and can also be customised to suit your exact measurements).

    Shop their website here, and check out their instagram here.

    5. ✨ Tringa's Prints ✨

    Tringa's Prints

    The founder: Tringa Kelmendi

    A bit about them: An aspiring architect by trade, Tringa decided to celebrate her country's rich heritage by capturing Kosovo's landmark buildings in print form, detailing the history behind the striking architecture for each piece. I'm *obsessed* with the sleek designs that'll suit any kind of home decor, and if you need another reason to check this company out, 10% of profits from each sale are donated to Kosovo-based charities. Talk about a print with a purpose!

    Our top pick: The Palace of Youth and Sports Prishtina print (price: £19.50 for an A3 size).

    Shop their Etsy page here and check out their Instagram page here.

    6. ✨ Bespoke Binny ✨

    Bespoke Binny

    The founder: Natalie Manima

    A bit about them: They're a home and lifestyle brand that are best known for their exquisitely-printed pieces. Having previously worked as a cognitive behavioural therapist, Natalie came to realise the importance of the home environment when it comes to our mood. The company's signature Kente and West African designs bring a vibrancy to the home that, let's be honest, is more important now than ever!

    Our top pick: Every single one of their stunning lampshades (price: from £41.99 depending on size).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    7. ✨ Crochet with Shan ✨

    Crochet with Shan

    The founder: Shanaz Islam

    A bit about them: They specialise in handmade personalised cards that are each completed with an utterly gorgeous crochet design on top. 100% of profits from each sale go towards building wells in areas of the world where clean water is hard to reach – they've already built two wells and counting! Shanaz hand crochets all the designs herself, and just look at how incredibly adorable the end results are!

    Our top pick: This truly tea-riffic card (price: £4.99)

    Shop directly through their Instagram here.

    8. ✨ The Little Worne Store ✨

    The Little Worne Store

    The founder: Britt Luard

    A bit about them: They sell personalised hand-embroidered baby cardis. I can guarantee that 99% of your time scrolling through this company's page will consist of a continuous "awwwwwww" – their lil' knitwear is all just so darn cute! As someone with a pretty ~unique~ name myself, I would have loved something like this as a kid, and it goes without saying that they make pretty special gifts!

    Our top pick: The store is currently all sold out, but they have a new drop every other Thursday, including adult-sized pieces!

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    9. ✨ Omi Na-Na ✨

    Omi Na-Na

    The founder: Esha Ahmed

    A bit about them: They're a slow fashion brand who produce ethically-made statement pieces for your wardrobe and home, made to be purchased now and cherished forever. I'm a huge fan of how they combine bold prints with timeless styles that can be worn year after year!

    Our top pick: The midnight forest maxi dress (price: £145.00 – it’s available in sizes XS-XXXL and also comes in a petite length).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    10. ✨ Afroani ✨

    Afroani

    The founder: Anita Lusuardi

    A bit about them: They're a brand who produce natural hair care products and high-quality accessories. From anti-friction silk scrunchies to shower combs with handy hooks for easy storage, they've thought of everything! And can we please talk about how incredibly stunning these combs are?

    Our top pick: The rainbow shower comb and hair clip bundle (price: £12.00 for the three-piece set).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    11. ✨ Carra ✨

    Carra

    The founder: Winnie Awa

    A bit about them: They're a beauty tech platform that offers custom hair care routines, expert advice, and personalised product recommendations for afro, curly, and multi-textured hair. Members are paired with their own professional hair coach to help work out precisely what their hair needs based on their lifestyle and hair texture – the dream.

    Our top pick: The starter package, which includes a virtual 30-minute consultation with your assigned hair coach to get you started (price: £40.00).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    12. ✨ Elizabeth Scarlett ✨

    Elizabeth Scarlett

    The founder: Elizabeth Scarlett Petrides

    A bit about them: They make embroidered bags, pouches, and accessories that are so beautiful it hurts. Their ethos is to "inspire better care of ourselves, each other, and the natural world", which they live up to by raising money for keystone species – they've raised over £40,000 for orphaned elephants, turtles, and ocean conservation!

    Our top pick: This velvet tiger print pouch – it's not a want, it’s a need! (Price: £28.00).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    13. ✨ Blostma + Merewif ✨

    Blostma + Merewif

    The founder: Faye Allison

    A bit about them: The company's name literally means 'flowers and mermaids' in Old English, so you already know they're gonna have some ethereal vibes. They sell watercolour illustrations encased in handmade glass frames. Faye hand paints each exquisite piece, and you can even commission a mermaid portrait of yourself! Incredible.

    Our top pick: These whimsical encased mermaids (price: £15.00 each).

    Shop their website here, and check out their Instagram here.

    ✨ You can check out more incredible female-owned businesses here.

    ✨ And some more amazing small brands right here!

    What's your favourite female-owned business that you think others need to hear about? Share the love in the comments below!