Black and Creme is a Black-owned and woman-owned re-education, sustainable, and eco-awareness online retail boutique that provides a platform for sustainable designers, small businesses, local California designers, and international fair trade organizations to sell their products on our boutique.
The brand provides economic and environmental re-education awareness via Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube to teach people about equitable economics, the diversity of sustainable fashion, and the cultures who make up this beautiful ecosystem.
People, land, and fibre are at the core of our boutique. We are here to align fashion back with the Earth. Black & Cremè represents the connection to the Motherland Africa, indigenous land, people all over the Earth with different complexions, the texture of fabrics, the colors of cloth, and the life force that flows through our Soul. Our eco-fashion, vegan bags, recycled jewelry, vegan alternative shoes, sustainable accessories, and laundry items are timeless products that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime. Each item you see in our boutique has been sourced and curated consciously with love.
Le’Marqunita De’Sharay Lowe, the Founder and CEO of Black & Creme
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Le’Marqunita Lowe is a PhD scholar, 10 year educator, author, entrepreneur of a clean beauty company, and social justice advocate. Ms. Lowe is a current PhD student in Interdisciplinary Studies at Union Institute and University. She holds a Master of Education from the University of Southern California graduating Magna Cum Laude. She holds a Bachelor of Liberal Studies from Bowling Green State University with a focus in political science, history, and ethnic studies.
Ms. Lowe was a former Pageant Queen holding the title of Miss Elite Earth California 2016 and Miss Black US Ambassador 2014. She also represented California as Miss Palo Alto in the 2014 Miss California USA competition. Currently, she is completing her PhD program, operating as CEO of Mercury III cosmetics, a volunteer with Empower54, and a Board of Director member for the National African Student Association. Ms. Lowe is a hiring partner with Girls For a Change.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
When did you first realize you wanted to launch a your own label?
I have considered myself an entrepreneur and creative since I was a child. I became an indie author in high school, which was my first journey into entrepreneurship. Later on in life I launched a vegan cosmetics company called Mercury III. Since I have a love for beauty, fashion, Nature, people, and the Cosmos I wanted to be conscious of creating a fashion company that integrated these elements. To answer your question, the idea and source of the company was created since I was a kid. It just took being an adult to turn an idea into an actual business.
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
I would tell myself to not launch my company until I really had a strategic business plan laid out. While it sounds very cliche, it’s extremely important to have a business plan. I would tell myself that my business plan is the blueprint to begin building a successful boutique.
How do you want your clients to feel when wearing a your brand pieces and in what occasions can be worn?
I want my clients to feel comfortable from the softness of the natural fabrics, connected to Nature, and confident in their own ability to explore different fashion styles. Since we are a sustainable boutique that carries multiple designers and labels, we have outfits for all occasions.
Can you tell us how your collections makes a difference to help more the environment?
We collaborate with sustainable designers, small Black-owned businesses, and international fair trade organizations who have already taken the steps to have a supply chain that has both a positive environmental and economic impact on communities. We believe sustainability is both making sure that marginalized communities and both the environment are co-existing together.
There is one important person in your life, who pushes and motivates you to believe in yourself?
My mother and my sister are my inspiration. My mom is the perfect human creation of hard work, sacrifice, and never giving up. My sister has taught me the meaning of unconditional love and always believing in myself.
Describe you as a creative in your personal life and how your feelings influence the creativity process?
Outside of my business I am currently a 3rd year PhD scholar (student). I mention this fact because my creative process is very similar to how I operate in my PhD program. First, I have an idea. I research the idea. I learn about others who have been successful with the idea. I then find new ways that I can take the idea and add my own touch. Then I produce the creative product. I pursue my creativity process like a researcher.
Would you like to involve other creatives in your future projects and what do you think is the main mission of the CO-BRANDING concept?
Most definitely. I already collaborate with sustainable designers and small Black-owned businesses who are the curation for Black & Cremè. I would love to collaborate with others who share our mission!
What are the next steps for your label, in order to grow up more?
People. Land. Fibre.
The next steps is to create our own in-house sustainable designs. We also want to add plus sizes to our boutique.
Check now: https://blackandcreme.com
BLACK + CREMÈ
KREEP. 