5 Black-Owned Streetwear Brands That Are Making A Comeback
Gone are the days of searching for authentic Y2K resell—renowned Black-owned fashion brands are making a comeback!
Apple Bottom Jeans
Y’all, cancel those Depop orders because your faves like Apple Bottoms and Billionaire Boys Club have entered the chat (guess they heard Gen Z loves vintage pieces).
Check out these throwback 2000s labels that are making their return to the fashion scene.
5 Black-Owned Streetwear Brands That Are Making A Comeback:
1. Baby Phat
In the early 2000s, Baby Phat ruled the scene, with stars like Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, and Aaliyah showing up to fashion shows and repping the brand. And who could forget Cam’ron’s legendary pink fur look with the Baby Phat Motorola flip phone?
Launched in 1999 by model Kimora Lee Simmons, this iconic lifestyle brand brought diversity and inclusivity front and center, giving a voice to women who hadn’t been represented in fashion before. Baby Phat defined an entire pop culture era, celebrating Black identity with everything from denim to footwear. Affordable yet glamorous, it was instantly recognizable thanks to its rhinestone-encrusted cat logo.
Though Baby Phat paused operations in 2010, the brand made a comeback in 2019 and is back with baby tees, velour tracksuits, and more.
And if you missed it—Baby Phat is still setting trends. Recently, Baby Phat’s been spotted in Sexyy Red and GloRilla’s viral “Whatchu Kno About Me” video, proving it’s still a staple in today’s culture.
2. Apple Bottoms
"Apple Bottom Jeans" by Jason Bagley, via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).
Founded in 2002 by rapper Nelly, this brand made being curvy cool with its iconic, fit-forming jeans and that signature Apple logo. Body positivity wasn’t as loud back then, but Apple Bottoms filled a major gap, offering stylish clothes that worked for women of all shapes and sizes. The brand quickly became known for its ready-to-wear denim, accessories, and even fragrance. And of course, it made its way into hip-hop culture, getting shoutouts in tracks like Flo Rida and T-Pain’s 2007 hit “Low” (you know you’re singing it now).
Apple Bottoms’ last ad campaign dropped in 2010, and fans never stopped hoping for its return. On October 30th, 2024, Apple Bottoms announced in an Instagram post that they were returning with new items. Their website is now live, so go ahead and grab those Apple Bottom jeans and boots (with the fur!) for the fall and winter. Trust, they’ve still got it.
3. Billionaire Boys Club & IceCream
“Pharrell - N.E.R.D - SXSW 2008” by Kris Krüg, via Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0).
In 2003, Pharrell Williams and Nigo launched this coveted fashion line with the motto, "Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket." Known for drawing inspiration from Japanese street style, their collections have always been bold and vibrant, with eye-catching graphics, bright colors, and that unmistakable spaceman motif. From sweatshirts to graphic tees and trucker caps, the brand is still going strong, dropping fresh seasonal releases on its website.
Fun fact: Pharrell even gave a nod to Ice Cream shoes in his 2004 collab with Snoop Dogg, “Drop It Like It’s Hot”: “I'm a nice dude, with some nice dreams. See these ice cubes, see these Ice Creams?”
4. Karl Kani
In 1989, designer Karl Kani, the ‘Godfather of Urbanwear,’ launched this legendary streetwear brand. A true pioneer in fashion, Kani was groundbreaking in developing the baggy jean style, building an all-Black sales team in urban fashion, and even becoming the first designer to host a White House fashion show during the Clinton administration.
Rap legends like Nas, Tupac, and Biggie rocked Karl Kani in the '90s, and that hip-hop love kept the brand thriving into the 2000s. Today, Karl Kani is back with an upscale twist—think leather jackets, cargo pants, khakis, and of course, tees repping the classic cursive logo.
5. FUBU
FUBU founders, (from left to right), Keith Perrin, Carl Brown, Daymond John, and J. Alexander Martin. Courtesy: FUBU.com
Standing for “For Us, By Us,” FUBU was founded in 1992 by Daymond John, J. Alexander Martin, Keith Perrin, and Carl Brown. Known for its embroidered FB logo, rugby shirts, hockey and football jerseys, FUBU became a staple in hip-hop culture, showing up in music videos like Ludacris, LL Cool J, and Keith Murray’s 2001 track “Fatty Girl.”
After a long hiatus, FUBU made a comeback in 2020, blending classic looks with modern styles. Now celebrating 30 years, the brand just dropped an anniversary collection. If you love colorful oversized jerseys, hoodies, joggers, and shorts, FUBU’s got you covered. And for the comic fans—they’ve even teamed up with Marvel!