Redefining luxury that resonates with fashion's elite
You may not have heard this name yet, but stars like Beyoncé and Serena Williams have been repping the rising label. Brandon Blackwood doesn’t just design handbags—he designs moments. Moments that defy the odds, moments that spark conversation and moments that, quite frankly, make you want to spend your entire paycheck on a purse. If you haven’t seen his latest drop, the Bouquet Clutch, prepare to witness a cultural reset. This Black History Month, we’re giving Blackwood his well-earned flowers—literally.
Blackwood’s journey started one night in Brooklyn when his friends invited him out, and he couldn’t afford to go. At the time, he was working as a clothing buyer at Crossroads Trading Co., making just $10 an hour. “I’m inside on the weekend, bored as hell and I’m really having the worst FOMO,” he recalled in a TikTok video. “I don’t know what came over me in that instance, but I just started looking up manufacturers for clothes, handbags, things like that.”
That moment of boredom sparked something bigger than he could have imagined. He decided to create a bag and cold-emailed a bunch of factories. On his next off day, he showed up at one to pitch his idea. “They were looking at me crazy but they were like, ‘OK cool,’” he said.
There was just one problem—he couldn’t afford the total cost. But instead of shutting the door on him, the factory put him on a payment plan. And just like that, the first-ever Brandon Blackwood bag was born: the Portmore Backpack.
The Portmore Backpack became his everyday staple, the epitome of sleek, everyday luxury. Designed with both form and function in mind, the bag features a structured yet minimal silhouette that effortlessly balances sophistication with street-style edge. Made from high-quality materials like supple leather or premium suede, it exudes durability while maintaining a refined aesthetic. Signature details—such as the embossed Brandon Blackwood logo, subtle metallic hardware, and carefully considered compartments—make it a go-to for fashion-forward individuals who need practicality without sacrificing style.
Blackwood wore the backpack to his job at Crossroads, unknowingly setting the stage for his big break. One day, an editor from Essence Magazine came in to sell her clothes and instantly fell in love with his bag. Two weeks later, the Portmore Backpack was featured in the magazine
Thinking back to the night he reluctantly decided to stay in, “The brand is something I totally didn’t see coming,” Blackwood admits on his TikTok page. “This came from boredom and now it’s the best thing that ever happened.”
Since that first backpack, Blackwood has built an empire on intentional design and cultural impact. His End Systemic Racism totes took over Instagram in 2020, turning an accessory into a movement. From there, he’s only continued to push the limits of luxury and accessibility, making high fashion feel personal, political and paradigmatic.
Now, his sold-out Bouquet Clutch is about to take over your TikTok feed, and for good reason. Inspired by floral arrangements, these structured-yet-delicate handbags feature three-dimensional petals blooming from their frame, embodying everything Blackwood stands for: intricacy, unconventionality and statement-making. The bags, released for Valentine’s Day, are a walking celebration of Black creativity—just in time for Black History Month.
But let’s be real: Blackwood isn’t just designing for the sake of aesthetics. His work has consistently centered Black identity in luxury fashion, challenging an industry that has historically overlooked Black designers. With every collection, he’s rewriting the rules, proving that Black designers belong not just in the conversation but at the forefront of the culture.
And the proof? How about creating custom gown for both Beyoncé and Serena Williams? (at one 34 years old!) The internet is already buzzing about the Bouquet Clutch, and you can expect to see them on the arms of everyone from your favorite influencer to your coolest mutual. And if history has taught us anything, it’s that when Blackwood drops, the girls (and the gays) listen.
So, while we celebrate the past this Black History Month, let’s also celebrate the future. Brandon Blackwood isn’t just making handbags—he’s making modern history, one viral moment at a time.