Couture: Conscious Shopping

As we launch into another week of quarantine and the BLM movement continues to gain momentum, many of us are thinking about what we consume - the media outlets we watch, the material we read, and the items we purchase. One of my takeaways from the last few weeks has been a heightened awareness of where my spending power goes. Which vendors am I supporting? Do those companies align with my values? What do the faces of those companies look like?

I recently stumbled upon local jeweler Valerie Madison. Located in Madrona but available for shipping nation-wide, Valerie Madison uses only SCS-certified recycled materials and conflict-free diamonds. All pieces are made locally to foster a sense of community and reduce the company's carbon footprint. The founder by the same name is a Black Latina woman and UW grad (Go Dawgs!) who has made a name for herself in the very male dominated and very white world of the fine jewelry industry. I love seeing a woman take charge in a typically masculine industry... just one more reason among many (local! green! Black-owned!) to feel good about spending your dollars at Valerie Madison.

Founded in 2014, this homegrown company merges fashion with environmental responsibility. The company's vision is to "create beautiful jewelry that quietly listens to modern trends, but more importantly, feels classic and is well-made to become future heirlooms." One glance at Valerie Madison's website and you can see that mission ring true. The initial earrings are simple and delicate. Her use of rings and loops are pleasing to the eye and symbolic of the lifetime the pieces will last (and then some). Best of all, her prices are reasonable and fair, especially given the care in craftsmanship and attention to materials.

To explore other Black-owned companies in the fashion, beauty, and home goods sectors spanning the nation, check out this list.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from Valerie Madison. All photo credits go to Valerie Madison.

Initial Earrings