I started Omi Woods after inheriting my grandmother’s Caribbean bangles. Like so many in the Caribbean, our family honours passing down jewellery as a tradition. My mother and aunts all received their own sets, but when it was my turn, I struggled to find fine jewellery that reflected my culture as a Black woman. I say “cultures” because my identity isn’t singular. I’m Jamaican, I have Indigenous Caribbean heritage, and my lineage traces back through West Africa, the Nile, and Sudan.

Back then, I was bouncing from designer to designer, searching for something that felt true to my roots. Eventually, I decided to create it myself. That was the beginning of Omi Woods, a brand built to celebrate our heritage in a way that feels authentic, elevated, and deeply personal.

Redefining Luxury on My Terms

Luxury fashion has historically been exclusive, but I define luxury differently. To me, true luxury is found in nature, art, heritage, and living in harmony with people and the planet. I positioned Omi Woods as a brand that values ethical craftsmanship and responsible sourcing. It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about respecting the materials, the makers, and the stories behind each piece.

Early on, I never called Omi Woods a luxury brand. I still don’t. That’s not a title you take, it’s one you earn. Luxury entails quality, service, and the experience you create over time. It’s bridging art, heritage, and ethics in a financially sustainable and culturally relevant manner, and I embrace that challenge every day.

Breaking Into a High-Growth Industry

Black entrepreneurs are historically underrepresented in high-growth industries like luxury fashion. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is maintaining mainstream visibility. Support for Black designers and DEI efforts comes in waves. One moment, the industry is championing diversity, and the next, it’s back to business as usual.

I didn’t create Omi Woods for the mainstream, but mainstream recognition helps amplify my work. Publications, celebrities, and fashion insiders help introduce my designs to the world. But breaking into this space is never just about talent. It requires resilience, strategy, and staying true to your vision even when the industry overlooks you.

Leading with Creativity 

The growing influence of Black creators in luxury isn’t a new phenomenon. We’ve always been at the forefront of innovation. The difference now is that social media has made it harder to erase our contributions. Before, industries could steal our ideas, designs, styles and profit without credit. That’s been the story for generations, from historical patents to fashion trends.

Now, we have platforms where we can call out copycats in real-time. We can own our narratives, showcase our work directly to our communities, and create movements that brands can’t ignore. The shift we’re seeing isn’t because the industry suddenly became inclusive. It’s because Black creators are making it impossible to overlook our impact.

The Power of Cultural Authenticity

I always say, no one can do you like you. Your cultural authenticity is your competitive advantage. When you build from a place of real passion and heritage, people feel that energy. They connect with it.

At an event once, a speaker said something that stuck with me: “People gravitate toward what’s real.” That’s why it’s so important to root your brand in something meaningful. It’s what will keep you going when things get tough. For me, that’s honouring my lineage and creating pieces that tell a story.

The Branding Strategies That Elevated Omi Woods

Professional, high-quality imagery and communication have been key to growing Omi Woods. But beyond aesthetics, identify a real gap in the market and serve it well. There was a demand for fine jewellery that spoke to Black heritage, and I focused on delivering that with excellence.

A major turning point for my brand was when our pieces became a fixture on Issa Rae’s show Insecure. That show was a cultural force, and seeing my jewellery pop up episode after episode was surreal. It put Omi Woods in front of an audience that deeply resonated with the brand.

The Future of Black-Owned Luxury

Over the next decade, I see Black-owned luxury brands expanding globally. There is so much talent across the diaspora in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, the Caribbean, and more people are travelling to experience it firsthand. We are building bridges between cultures, creating spaces where our artistry is recognized and celebrated.

For the industry to truly support Black designers, it needs to treat us like professionals, not novelties. The expectation shouldn’t be that we only get attention during Black History Month. We are here year-round, pushing boundaries and setting new standards.

To Aspiring Entrepreneurs

If you want to enter the luxury space, focus on the fundamentals. Your product has to be something people genuinely want to buy at the price you set. Luxury is an art form, but it’s also a business. It requires patience, precision, and a commitment to excellence.

And most importantly, respect the craft. Be intentional about your sourcing, your storytelling, and your service. That’s what builds a legacy.