Starting and growing a business is no small task.
It requires a lot of effort and attention.
When members of the deaf community rise to take on such entrepreneurial challenges, it is up to us to rally around them and support them as much as we can.
This is not only good for them but us also.
In one way, you must have supported someone to build on their hope and aspiration and in other ways, you get something you love in return.
So, if you’re in for exciting clothes shopping this week or any other week, you might want to check out any of these clothing businesses started by members of the deaf community.
These businesses represent the hope of these people and show that they never gave up the fight to make an achievement regardless of their limiting disability.
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10 Best Deaf-Owned Clothing Companies
Starting a business requires a lot of courage and keeping such businesses alive requires even more effort.
These deaf business owners have taken up such courage and kept the momentum to keep their businesses alive.
If you’d love to support them and keep them going, then consider stopping at any of their stores, checking for great outfits, and buying from them.
1. By Mara
This is probably the most popular deaf-owned clothing store on the internet.
If you love comfortable chic clothing with bold signs from the American sign language, then you will love the By Mara collections.
With each item embossed with a beautifully designed ‘i love you’ sign using the American Sign Language symbol, this business speaks the simplest and most beautiful language in the deaf community.
You also get to choose clothing options for kids such as onesies, swaddles, blankets, and kids tees all embossed with the ‘i love you’ symbol.
While By Mara primarily collects and sells clothes for women and kids, there is also a unisex section for everyone.
The unisex section features colorful tie and die long sleeves, tee shirts, pullovers, and kiss fit tees.
By Mara was founded in 2008 by deaf Asian female business owner, Mara Ladiness.
She was inspired to start her clothing company as an undergraduate at the University of Los Angeles, California.
She started the By Mara collection in a small store at Dumbo, Brooklyn in 2008 with only a few shirts embossed with the “I love you” sign, which she made for her graduation.
The brand is quickly expanding and currently has grown into a country-wide business with over 100 product lines.
You can support By Mara by walking into her physical store in Dumbo or shopping online from her business website and getting your items shipped to you.
- Website: https://www.bymara.com
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2. Girl and Creativity
Looking for girl fashion that will make you feel alive and inspired?
You might want to consider this store to find your next inspiration.
Girl and Creativity is a new age fashion house for girl power.
The goal is simple; make women feel beautiful and empowered with self-love so that they can break down barriers and live above their insecurities and prejudices.
Girl and Creativity is a clothing line co-founded and owned by deaf owners Kasmira Patel & Isabel Laínez.
They have a line on Etsy. And you can also shop on their website to get your item shipped to your doorstep.
The store is primarily targeted at ladies. You can find some of your favorite fashion like tees and crewnecks on display. All are designed with symbols from the American Sign Language
There is also a special section for beautiful stickers.
So, if you’re hunting for some beautiful stickers for your home or office, you might want to consider Girl and Creativity first for a sleek selection.
- Website: https://www.girlandcreativity.com
3. Language Priority
The deaf community is a quiet one but we don’t all always want to be quiet.
The deaf community has a whole language of its own that the world doesn’t seem to want to understand or agree with.
Language priority is one of the few clothing businesses that hold to spread light and love from the deaf community using custom-designed clothes.
The clothes from language priority come in different sizes and colors; they’re all designed with beautiful symbols from ASL.
- Website: https://changing-the-narrative-language-first.myshopify.com
4. Erry B
Ericka B. Olujie is the founder of the Erry B clothing line. She is a black deaf woman.
She started Erry B clothes in 2019 with the hope to spread light in the deaf community.
Her shop was among those selected by an issue of the Women’s History Month among Deaf Women of Color’s Overlooked Gems.
Her clothing line features premium t-shirts for women and has one of the most extensive collections in deaf-owned clothing businesses.
The shop is for everyone as you can find trendy clothes for men, women, kids, and teenagers.
- Website: https://erryb.myspreadshop.com
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5. Sisters in Style
Looking for a place to shop with love and comfort? Think Sisters in Style and you will get the perfect shop for your next buy.
It is a clothing business founded and owned by Nikki Reineck. Today, the business has grown with other women working as staff, models, and creators.
If you’re looking for a warm and comforting place to shop, then you might want to consider checking out SIS.
You can browse through their catalog and order online through their website.
- Website: https://shop.shopsistersinstyle.com
6. Melissa Malzkuhn
Melissa is an activist, academic, and digital artist.
She currently heads the Motion Light Lab at Gallaudet University where they are working on using 3D technology to provide immersive learning programs for deaf kids.
She’s an Obama fellow and was recognized in 2020 as a leading social entrepreneur by Ashoka.
Her store is currently dominated by a campaign call sign ‘to sign is human’ and a big Hu symbol at the center.
The goal is simple.
To tell everyone that sign language is a language just like spoken words, and should be given equal priority from an early age.
Currently, only about 3% of deaf children receive any good education in sign language at an early age.
Her campaign is to make that figure higher and give more deaf kids an opportunity to express themselves in a rather noisy world.
Melissa currently owns a clothing line.
Although the selections are not many, they are a great way for anyone who wishes to support her campaign.
They’ll also spread the message of how natural it is for kids to learn sign language just as kids who are not deaf learn how to speak.
- Website: https://mezmalz.com
7. Clean School Paper
Clean School Paper is a deaf-owned business by the artistic duo, Robyn and Charity. It’s currently based in central coast California.
The business features mostly vibrant ASL, artistic prints like green cards, and wall arts (great collections of wall arts).
But you can also wander off to their clothing section under the EveryDay wears and find amazing t-shirts with different sign language symbols.
- Website: https://cleanschoolpaper.com
Related: List of Top 10 Deaf Owned Business
8. Catch Rachie Boutique
This is a boutique owned by deaf business owner Rachie Smania.
On the homepage of the boutique, you might not find what you’re looking for. But if you dig a little deeper, you tend to find true treasures.
I’ve done all the heavy lifting for you.
So, if you’re in for getting a nice set of outfits from a deaf-owned clothing business, consider shopping with Rachie at her Lularoe boutique online to support her entrepreneurial spirit.
- Website: https://catchrachie.com/store
9. Eaffers and Max
The shop was founded by Vicki Campos-Hamilton and currently retails on Etsy.
Although her clothing collection is very limited, she’s extremely crafty with the limitations and has a long list of accessories and artworks for you to choose from.
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/eaffersandmax
10. Tansey Limited
Here’s another great option to look into if you’re looking for a great deaf-owned fashion business.
At Tansey Limited, you get to find an excellent collection of hoodies, T-shirts, long sleeves shirts, unisex tees, and clothing for babies.
- Website: https://tansey-limited.creator-spring.com
