7 Brooklyn-based women-owned businesses you should know

By Kayla Curtis-Evans

Among the many facets that make up the mosaic of Brooklyn are some of the city’s most talented creators, designers, and brand owners, many of whom are dynamic women who have helped lay their own bedrock in Brooklyn’s vivid arts and fashion space.

Small businesses and independent brands like these keep the city bustling and alive — as well as dressed to the nines — well past Small Business Saturday. Brooklyn Magazine recently sat down with seven of the area’s standout women-owned small businesses so you can get to know them too.

Kelsey Randall

Courtesy Kelsey Randall

Kelsey Randall began her eponymous line in 2015 and has since built a sparkly, chainmail clothing dynasty with famous fans from Lizzo (top of page) to Chloe x Halle (pictured here).

“I think there is something particularly special about a woman designing for another woman,” she tells Brooklyn Magazine. “We know what clothes will feel effortless on our bodies.” Her clothing is just as fierce as her personality, but behind the glitz, she says she makes sure her brand ethos is instilled with intention.

“I would rather make a handful of truly incredible pieces each year that I can pour my creativity into that will continue to make an impact for years down the line than be overproducing my clothes,” she says.

Randall’s favorite women-owned businesses: Apprvl by Megan Mussari and Hunu by Megan Williams

Allina Liu

Allina Liu’s shop. (Courtesy Allina Liu)

Allina Liu is a Chinese-American designer based out of Brooklyn who creates ethereal ready-to-wear garments characterized by balance and slow production. Her designs are inspired by Japanese manga, 17th-century Dutch art, and the power of femininity — softening hardcore accents with feminine touches.

“I’m very proud to be operating out of such an incredible city,” she says, “Being a small business is like playing chess. You’re always thinking about the next move and ways to essentially survive. It also means no time off but, to me, there’s a lot of beauty in that kind of pressure.”

Liu’s favorite women-owned businesses: Flowers by Ford, Yoyo the Ricecorpse, and Chela

Sheena Sood of Abacaxi

Sheena Sood. (Courtesy Sheena Sood)

Sheena Sood makes her kaleidoscopic clothing pieces — from dresses to flashy tops — from her home base of Prospect Heights and shares them far beyond. Her whimsical designs capture the heart of her heritage and the many skilled artisans and creators who come from her background by using traditional textiles or methods, such as shisha stitching.

“As a designer, I’ve always been most inspired by my identity, by my Indian heritage, and that comes through my fabric choices, my work with artisans and textiles, and silhouettes inspired by traditional drapes,” she says. “What led me to create was a desire to bring traditional South Asian textile techniques back into our everyday wardrobe; an interest in reviving ancient crafts through creative designs.”

Sood’s favorite women-owned businesses: Imli Dana, Gundi Studios, Elle Qui Vit, Labucq, No Borders Shop, Sincerely, Tommy, Ode to Babel, Marche Rue Dix, Diaspora Co.

Christina Tung of SVNR

Courtesy Christina Tung

By day, Christina Tung is the founder of New York-based fashion PR agency House Of NYC. But she also lets her artistic side flourish by designing handmade jewelry for her brand, SVNR. Every piece is made from found, used, or upcycled materials, like delicate seashells and sea glass — souvenirs from Tung’s journeys.

Tung’s brand is rooted in a commitment to mindful production, diverse representation, and honoring the many people and places that inspire her creations. On her favorite SVNR pieces, she says, “Shanghai and Ningbo [earrings consisting of agate, quartz, 14k gold, and mother of pearl] are both very special to me because I designed them with my grandmother in mind. She was born in Ningbo, a fishing village, and raised her family in Shanghai.”

Tung’s favorite women-owned businesses: COVRY Asian Fit Eyewear, LCD, Petit Kouraj, Abacaxi, Nomasei

Hannah Richtman of The Break and Gush

Gush. (Courtesy Hannah Richtman)

Hannah Richtman is not only the founder of a conceptual space and curated vintage clothing dealer based out of New York, called The Break, but she also founded her own comfy, recycled-fabric underwear company, Gush.

“The Break is my personality brought to life. And so is Gush. I think that a big part of my personality and what drives me in life is community, creating these experiences, and hosting.” she says.

Richtman’s New York community is fashionable, creative, and above all else, accessible. “That’s what I think is so beautiful about owning a small business — is creating the confidence that you find in camaraderie,” she says.

Richtman’s favorite women-owned businesses: Glazed Studio, Friends of Form, Skilset, Edas, Radicle Wine, Place des Fêtes, Yip.Studio, Rolo’s, Flow Pilates, Lovemenot Floral

Geno Pedrero Setzer of De Maria

Courtesy Geno Pedrero Setzer

De Maria is a responsibly sourced and produced accessory line created by founders Daniela Novelo Iñiguez and Geno Pedrero Setzer. With workshops in Queens and Mexico, the brand collaborates with Mexican artisans to create pieces that are symbolic of their upbringing and to show the world the rich beauty of their culture.

“Everything that we make is completely rooted in our Mexican identity. So from the inception of the brand, the way we built it, it was all very much inspired by all of these Mexican creatives that lived in the past,” Setzer says. “Being a small business owner, it’s a huge privilege. I am a thousand percent, every day, inspired by my neighborhood. All of the creativity informs my work so much.”

Setzer points out that a core value of theirs is making sure that everyone involved feels appreciated and is fairly compensated. “I feel responsible for the well-being of everyone involved with de Maria and I want our customers to know that the price points reflect that,” she says.

Setzer’s favorite women-owned businesses: Tangerine, Marmalade, Talea Beer Co., Casa Ziki, Mirth Vintage, Toñitas/Caribbean Social Club

Mariel Pica of Sprkl Shop

Courtesy Mariel Pica

Mariel Pica and Kate Haveles of Sprkl Shop produce all of their sparkle-saturated jewelry, phone cases, ashtrays, and more from their Brooklyn studio, following a slow production method to reduce waste, as each accessory is handmade by their small all-woman team.

“Female identity is so powerful and so vast. One of the most incredible things about being female-founded and being female is that there are so many ways to celebrate that about yourself, and no matter how you do it, it’s personal and it’s you,” Pica, the CEO, says. “Some of my favorite pieces are the custom phone cases with pictures! My other favorite piece is the first tag I ever made for my dog Beans.” Meaning, Sprkl Shop not only has the cutest accessories available, but you can match them with your pet too.

Pica’s favorite women-owned businesses: MONTSERRAT New York, Fanny David Jewelry, The Donas