For decades, Black fashion designers have fought through adversity to have the same opportunities in business. One industry where this discrepancy is obvious is the fashion industry. Only 7.5% of all US fashion designers are Black. Diversity in the industry exists. In fact, over 17% of fashion designers in the United States are Asian and another 13.2% are Hispanic or Latino. While these statistics are promising, African Americans are still excluded. One company looking to change this is Murway, a gender-neutral leather bag line made in Italy.

Obstacles Faced By Black Fashion Designers 

Systemic racism and socioeconomic factors play into this exclusion in the fashion industry. The heads of fashion houses are rarely people of color. Since it is so hard to break into the fashion industry this way, many Black designers choose to start their own businesses. Doing so, however, requires funding. Money is also required to make a designer’s products accessible to the public. Inventory and advertising are two other large expenses that may potentially affect the ability of a designer to bring their brand into stores or build up a direct-to-consumer business. Without capital, then, the designer may encounter barriers to success. 

Denishio Murray’s Interesting Start in Business

Denishio Murray, founder of Murway, had an interesting start in the business world. In 2017, when he was just 24 years old, Murray started Murray’s In-Home Care. This personal care agency assists the disabled and elderly. This company gave Murray a head start in being a successful Black entrepreneur. 

Murray notes there are certain characteristics that make you more likely to succeed when starting your own business. Doing so requires “determination, resilience, taking the time to educate yourself on business and your industry, and having a very strong work ethic.” For a Black entrepreneur, he stresses that these things are even more important. 

In 2020 he started Murway, a gender-neutral leather bag line. He had always had a passion for fashion design and with his experience in business, he decided it was time to combine his two skills. 

Murway Making Strides

As a Black-owned business, Murway is one example of a company that formed in part due to the difficulties African Americans face in the fashion industry. It is common for Black fashion designers to have a very creative, unique vision. Sometimes this vision is not shared by those higher up on the food chain. 

Murray encourages future entrepreneurs like him to “never let anyone place a limit on your capabilities.” He also tells up-and-coming Black designers that “your own approval is enough.” This is an important reminder for all designers, he says, because he believes that it is easy to get rejected in a world where creativity and subjectivity are the name of the game. 

How Murray Got His Start

Murray recalls when he was his mother’s stylist from a young age. He would style looks for his mother and other family members whenever there was a special event. His love for fashion is rooted deeply in his love for his family. This is one reason why he named his most recent “MoMo” collection by Murway after his late uncle, who passed away from COVID-19 in September 2021.

How Murway Can Change the Game

Murway’s bags combine unique Black creativity with Italian leather. Recently, due to the Black Lives Matter movement, an increasing number of people are looking to purchase from Black-owned businesses. Known as the “Buy Black” movement, consumers are moving towards more socially conscious companies. Denishio Murray is aware of this, and is making his bags accessible to all consumers. He is selling them directly to customers on the Murway website. These bags are a luxury product. Similar bags may sell for over $1,000, but it was important to Murray that his bags were accessible to everyone so he lowered his prices. 

For more information on Murway, please visit: 

Website: https://Murwayofficial.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/murwayofficial