São Paulo

Ariel learned to cut hair in prison and developed the most famous hair-cut in Brazil: “Blindado”. The most resistant cut, able to resist even a motorcycle passing-by. Today he travels the world to spread the essence of Brazilian favelas cuts, a styled called "chavosos".

OG favela gear from south side of São Paulo. Worn by the real ones, from artists to rappers. They also have a community bar and football team.

A Brazilian Indigenous Afro brand led by Isaac Silva. Genderless democratic fashion for all kinds of bodies. Haute couture is also present in its DNA, all handmade by the stylist Isaac Silva himself.

Led by Cameroonian Melanito Biyouha, this stylish African eatery uses spices to make their food with love. The environment welcomes everyone as a family. Each employee who passes through the kitchen ends up recreating the dishes of their land (the extensive menu has more than 40 options with different kind of flavours from Africa).

Working as a fashion designer for more than 10 years, Luiz Cláudio, is filled with the desire to build an amazing and intricate fashion label, characterised by the use of manual techniques and precious fabrics worthy of a couture atelier.

Lu Safro is an incredible hair designer who creates true masterpieces and owns a saloon in the heart of downtown, near the iconic Galeria Rock. She usually does hair styling for the most important fashion shows in São Paulo Fashion Week, always alongside her daughter, Mika Safro, the most relevant young beauty artist in the emerging fashion scene.

Amazing vegan cuisine created by Congolese refugee Pitchou Luambo, with the help of his daughter Marie Luambo. "The basis of African gastronomy is vegetables, which we need to demystify that there is meat in our kitchen, a habit that was practically acquired only in Brazil when our ancestors arrived here".

Cacau Brito doesn’t do nails, she does art. Much demanded by the most relevant artists in the rap scene, and using several techniques combined to reach its perfection in composing unique and memorable nails. Nail Queen? definitely.

Bar do Biu is an absolute classic and is the headquarters of Corinthians soccer team fans in the west of São Paulo. That typical Brazilian-style bar, serving the best Northeastern dishes & traditional feijoada every day.

Jardin do Centro is a plant shop and cafeteria in Downtown. They occupy 2 floors of a building hosting a film room, a co-working space and promotes black artists thought events and exhibitions.

Black-Owned Businesses in São Paulo

Vicky Grout

London

Multi-storey bookshop in Soho where I always end up spending way too much money

Amsterdam based streetwear brand Patta’s own London store

Formerly Plan B, Phonox has been the spot for underground dance nights and raves.

An indoor plant shop in Hackney, feels like you’re in the palm house in Kew Gardens.

The best store for photo/art books and magazines

The spot for streetwear and cute homewares.

One of my go-to film labs, and Terry is a sweetheart.

New and vintage records, always manage to find some gems whenever I go in.

Women’s streetwear and trainer store (for tiny feet and tiny garms)

Vicky Grout's London Guide

New York City 

Lichen is located in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a design shop that’s helping to democratise design and proselytise more under-the-radar participants. Founded by Jared Blake and Ed Be the two have curated an exceptional archive of accessible vintage and contemporary furniture.

Sitting at the crossroads of Chinatown and the Lower East Side, Chop Suey Club is a boutique store in downtown NYC focusing on contemporary Chinese design, arts and culture. They procure design products from young Chinese creatives around the world, showcasing seasonal rotations of items for diverse lifestyles. They believe the best way to dissipate xenophobia is to make your own culture more accessible to others. Chop Suey Club is an effort to open up contemporary Chinese culture to a larger audience.

Rooted is a modern-day plant company reconnecting you to nature, one houseplant at a time. Rooted was started because they firmly believe in the positive mental, emotional and physical health benefits associated with having greenery in your space.

.IMAGE is the first sneaker consignment shop to open in Queens, New York. Located in the heart of Queens, Main St Flushing, they carry many hard to find and limited sneakers you will not find anywhere else.

The space is a more than a restaurant, it’s a home away from home. With a growing number of Korean-Americans and Korean internationals working and studying in the city, Her Name Is Han wanted to create a place where these busy dwellers of New York can find the perfect home-cooked meal, prepared with the goal of bringing about the flavours of their mothers’ cooking.
Using only traditional Korean ingredients and recipes to produce what we like to call “Korean soul food”, their mission was not to replicate the fancy contemporary culinary experience, but to design a nostalgic one, where guests can enjoy an authentic Korean meal, all with the same feeling of comfort as eating at home.

Make sure to get your trim at 12 Pell, one of our favourite barbershops and community spaces in the city.

Mint By Mai is an amazing lash extension business run by lash artist and educator Tammy Mai. In addition to her lash services, Tammy offers educational 1:1 training to those who are looking to start their own businesses.

Jeepney is the best Filipino Food in NYC hands down. The restaurant, founded by Nicole Ponseca’s and Miguel Trinidad, has been at the fore-front of popularizing Filipino food in the city. It’s named after the "Jeepney", the WWII jeeps left behind by US occupation. Filipinos took the left-over jeeps chopped them up and tricked them out, creating a vibe, a mode of transport and a symbol that is uniquely Filipino. That is the essence of being of Jeepney and being Filipino – it's a vibe, a mode, and a symbol of uniqueness.

The original Lhasa in Jackson Heights is one of our favourite places in the city to eat momos. Each momo flavour is so delicious it’s understandably difficult to choose which flavour you want to commit to. So to make it easier for you, they do great combo selections, perfect for lunch of dinner.

Asian-Owned Businesses in NYC

Athens

This is my two-year old store. Everyone is welcome to see the shirts I make and I will be there to assist you.

I have known the owners George and Jason for a few years now. Those two talented and kind guys are there to assist you in case you wanna buy something local. They are mainly focused on skate culture clothing , but not only! I personally love their hats. Go and have a look!

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful stores in Athens. Ifigenia, Vasilis and Chara are there to show you rare plants as well as ceramics from greek artisans. Do not miss it!

Not in the area but a bit further is the studio of this amazing project/brand. Book your visit and check their greek herbs and teas. Do not forget to take away Dittany from Crete, a great treat for the cold days..

One of the oldest and definately best vintage stores in the city. Pay a visit and spend your time digging into vintage jeans and rare findings.

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