BRWNGRLZ

BRWNGRLZ is a laser-cut jewelry company started by Gretchen Carvajal for Black and brown women. In 2021, BRWNGRLZ was featured in Vogue.[1]

Overview

Origin

Carvajal moved to the United States in 2001.[2] She grew up in the Bay Area.[3] In 2011, Carvajal won a spot to compete at the national youth poetry slam, Brave New Voices (BNV), in San Francisco.[4][5][6] At BNV, she met an artist selling handmade earrings, which later inspired her to start her own earring business.[7] In 2013, Carvajal was frustrated and inspired by the lack of representation of women of color in fashion accessories.[8][9] She started the business, BRWNGRLZ,[10] out of her dormitory, creating laser cut jewelry for women of color.[11]

Inspirations

Carvajal is inspired by prominent cultures in the Bay Area, such as Black, Chicana, and South East Asian cultures.[3] Her creations mix technical fine art skills with symbols of social movements and cultural moments, such as the United Farm Workers movement and the international hotel strike.[8] Each pair of earrings in the company's collection is named after a woman of color.[12]

Collaborations

The company has collaborated with Toro y Moi, Ruby Ibarra, Bayani Art, and Kehlani.[13][14][15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Allaire, Christian (December 9, 2021). "7 Artisanal Labels to Know From a New BIPOC Fair That's Perfect for Holiday Shopping". Vogue. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Gretchen Carvajal: Blood Sugar Rising". PBS. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "BRWNGRLZ: Dope Earring Company Created By A Brown Girl From The Bay Celebrates Women Of Color". YLWRNGR. November 4, 2019. Archived from the original on July 10, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Lola, Lauren (July 14, 2011). "From Open Mic to the Spotlight". Newark, CA Patch. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  5. ^ Kephart, Allison (May 2, 2012). "Teens Cover Prostitution, Parental Infidelity, Cancer — and Hope: Youth Speaks Poetry Slam Finals". SFWeekly. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Youth Speaks finds its Brave New Voices at this week's international poetry slam". San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966–2014. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  7. ^ Amalia, Anissa (2018). "BRWNGRLZ". Adolescent. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Bines, Ari (November 12, 2020). "BRWNGRLZ jewelry is the small business that supports WOC". In The Know. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "Bright Ideas 2017: Love yourself without apologies". The Cap Times. 2017. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Kandula, Ikya (May 27, 2020). "How a Bay Area poet became obsessed with making jewelry for women of color". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  11. ^ Ostani, Marj (April 10, 2018). "Fashion Brands for Strong Women: Teen Idle, Yakang Yaka & BRWNGRLZ". April Magazine. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  12. ^ "Gretchen Carvajal – Interdisciplinary Artist, BRWNGRLZ". in the heart stories. May 16, 2019. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Lizette, Anne (2022). "Retail Roundup: Have You Heard of These Bold Filipino Jewelry Brands?". Undiscovered Markets & Festivals. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Bumatay, Christine (October 14, 2020). "10 Beauty, Wellness And Clothing Brands Owned By Filipinxs". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  15. ^ San Pablo, Iggy (April 12, 2022). "Toro y Moi Comes Full Circle With "MAHAL"". Wonder. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.