Truly Feminist Fashion with Black & Beech | Mates of the Month

Black & Beech's feminist apparel and accessories have always been a firm favourite in our Oxford shop. Like our underwear and loungewear, these are products with a real impact. Their punchy slogans and woman-led designs speak to the feminist resistance-fighters within us, which is why we're introducing even more of their collection, in our new Brighton shop! We reached out to Stacey, the incredible woman leading the brand, to ask her some questions about what it's like running the business, and why this project means so much to her.

Could you tell us a little bit about the story behind Black & Beech, and how it all began?

"Black & Beech began in 2016, although the seeds were planted much earlier.

I grew up in Ireland and was raised by strong women. Like many women, I spent years feeling frustrated by an industry that seemed more interested in making women feel inadequate than empowered. Fashion has incredible cultural power, yet so much of it is built around insecurity, exclusion and endless consumption.

At the time, I was teaching fashion design at university and creating small runs of products on the side. What started as a creative project quickly became something bigger. I realised there was a community of women who wanted beautiful, well-made things that reflected their values as well as their style.

Black & Beech was founded on a simple idea: fashion could be a force for equality rather than a tool of oppression. We started with a handful of products and a lot of determination. Today we've grown into a brand that has served more than 40,000 customers, works with over 70 stockists, and has donated more than £25,000 to charities supporting women and marginalised communities."

How has Black & Beech evolved since you started?

"In many ways, the mission hasn't changed at all. We're still trying to make fashion more thoughtful, more inclusive and more feminist.

What has changed is the scale and confidence of the business. In the early days, it was mostly slogan products and a lot of learning as we went. Over time we've developed our own knitwear collections, worked with incredible manufacturing partners across the UK and Europe, collaborated with organisations we admire, and built a loyal community around the brand.

We've also become much more intentional about impact. From committing to donate 10% of profits annually, to becoming a Living Wage employer, to working towards B Corp certification, we're constantly asking how business can be done differently.

The older Black & Beech gets, the less interested we become in growth for growth's sake and the more interested we become in building something sustainable, ethical and genuinely useful."

You talk about 'fashion as feminist practice.' What an incredible concept, could you unpack this a bit further for us?

"For me, feminism isn't something that exists separately from our work. It's a lens through which we make decisions.

Fashion as feminist practice means asking questions at every stage of the process. Who made this? Were they paid fairly? Does this product make women feel confident rather than inadequate? Are we contributing to a culture of endless consumption or creating something that will be loved for years?

It also means recognising that getting dressed isn't a trivial act. What we wear can help us express our identity, our values and our politics. Clothing can be a conversation starter. It can build solidarity. It can make people feel seen.

A feminist business isn't just about selling products with feminist slogans on them. It's about trying to build a company that reflects feminist values in how it operates, who it supports and how it treats people."

Can you explain a little about the meaning behind your name, 'Black & Beech'?

"The name is a reflection of contrasts. However it started a simple suggestion from a friend, David, when trying to come up with a name for the black and wooden beaded necklaces I was making. Its interesting how I can ascribe meaning beyond what was ever intended to it!

Black represents strength, rebellion and questioning the status quo. Beech comes from the beech tree, something rooted, enduring and connected to nature.

Together they capture the balance I wanted the brand to have. Bold but thoughtful. Strong without losing softness."

What has been Black & Beech's biggest moment so far?

"There have been lots of exciting milestones, from seeing strangers wearing our products on the street to collaborating with organisations we've admired for years.

But honestly, the biggest moment wasn't a particular launch or press feature.

It was realising that this small idea had become a genuine community. When women write to tell us that a product sparked a conversation, helped them feel more confident, connected them with like-minded people or simply made them feel seen, that's when the work feels meaningful.

Building a values-led business in a challenging retail environment isn't easy. The fact that we're still here, still growing and still staying true to our principles nearly a decade later feels like the achievement I'm most proud of."

And any plans for the future?

"Lots.

We're continuing to develop our knitwear collections, expand our wholesale partnerships and grow internationally. We're particularly excited about sharing more of our Irish heritage and storytelling through future collections.

Beyond products, I'm interested in how Black & Beech can continue to prove that business can be a force for good. The fashion industry faces enormous challenges around sustainability, labour rights and overconsumption, and I think brands have a responsibility to be part of the solution.

Ultimately, I want Black & Beech to remain what it has always been: a place where great design, good ethics and feminist values can coexist. If we can continue doing that while reaching more people, I'll be very happy."

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It was so amazing to hear from Stacey, and to get such thought-provoking insights into the world of feminist fashion. We're so grateful to work with brands who are truly using their influence to make the world a better place. 

Check out Black & Beech here.

 

Interested in the other brands we love?

Discover the innovative brand making fashion accessible

Read about a local Oxford B-Corp

Meet the school-children running their own business 

 

Authors: Evie Tucker, Comms and Retail Team, Y.O.U Underwear & Stacey Grant-Canham, Founder of Black & Beech

Images courtesy of Black & Beech and Canva