Choosing inclusivity as a core value for Terrance Williams’ handmade clothing and accessories business Terrance Williams Designs was never something he had to think twice about. From the beginning, Terrance set out to create a space where representation mattered by making sure to source designs from Black artists when it came to picking prints for his handmade headbands.
Today we are excited to welcome this talented Small Business Grantee to the blog to share more about the foundation behind his business and the six Black artists that have caught his eye.
Meet Terrance Williams, Owner of Terrance Williams Designs
Terrance Williams
Hello, my name is Terrance Williams! I am a self-taught sewer and small business owner of Terrance Williams Designs, a handmade clothing and accessories line that uses ethically sourced and sustainably-produced materials and is gender and size-inclusive!
Sustainability and inclusivity are the foundation of my business. Working with fabrics that are ethically sourced means people were paid fair and liveable wages in safe working conditions to produce the fabric. Sustainable practices in my business range from using fabrics with low environmental impact, recycled packaging and zero-waste patterns.
The pieces are genderless, size-inclusive and are fun, vibrant prints that reflect my outgoing and charismatic personality. Everything is handmade and made to order. I wanted to create a brand where everyone felt welcome.
It’s important to me to source designs created by Black artists for my business because representation matters.
When people only consume products from the same places and the same people who look, think, talk and act like them, they lose the chance for a greater understanding of people and cultures beyond their own. They lose the chance to experience the greatness that is Black people and Black culture. We deserve the same chances, opportunities and platforms as everyone else.
Spotted in the Black Artists Matter collection, keep reading to see why these six artists have caught Terrance’s eye.
Meet the Artists
Ashley Summers
Why Terrance was drawn to Ashley’s work:
“The raised fist has always been a symbol of fighting oppression and with the global movement of Black Lives Matter advocating for equality and ending police brutality, the fist has taken on an even more prevalent and significant symbol. The Black Lives Matter fist print by Ashley Summers Design was the perfect way for Black people and allies to show they stand with the movement. It’s beautiful and symbolic.”
Priscilla Adei-cardwell
Why Terrance was drawn to Priscilla’s work:
“African prints are some of my favorites to work with and I love this shop because it has traditional African prints that are given a fun and modern update. I love how the prints still pay homage to ankara and the African diaspora but designed in a way that anyone can feel confident wearing them!”
Sareka Smith
Spoonflower Shop | Instagram
Why Terrance was drawn to Sareka’s work:
“As a lover of color myself, these designs immediately spoke to my inner colorful soul! Eye-catching, bright and vibrant, these geometric modern prints were the perfect addition for people who love to live their life on the colorful side!”
Janine Lecour
Why Terrance was drawn to Janine’s work:
“I am a lover of floral prints and this shop is exploding with them! There’s something really delicate about flowers and the use of colors and motifs that make these prints so bold and beautiful. The bee garden print specifically really spoke to my inner nature lover.”
Paul Lawrence Andino
Why Terrance was drawn to Paul’s work:
“I really love art and have a deep appreciation for how expressive it can be, how people interpret it in different ways and connect with it on different levels. What drew me to this shop was how the designs just seemed to have so much movement and freedom. The uniqueness is refreshing because the watercolor designs are nothing like I have seen before and knew people would love. ”
Shelia J. Hall
Why Terrance was drawn to Shelia’s work:
“I love these prints and patterns because they are so vibrant and colorful! Looking at them is like looking through a kaleidoscope, the images mirror each other in a uniform and bold way. You can definitely see the use of traditional Afrocentric prints and colorways but with the mirroring of the images it makes them look abstract and modern.”
Promoting “Black Lives Matter the corporation” is very yikes.
I couldn’t think of an organisation that cares less about POC and more about money, power and pushing their anti-family agenda.
Their riots “not protests” has caused many people to lose their lives and billions of dollars in destruction including the murder of black cops and annihilation of 100s of black owned businesses.
Please don’t pander to far-left ideologies of the main stream media, it’s really not that flattering.
Thank you for reading the blog and sharing your perspective. While there are a few references to the Black Lives Matter global movement, our main objective is to highlight Terrance’s amazing work and his core values of inclusivity, representation and sustainability. We hope readers are inspired by his work and support his business, and the businesses of the six creatives featured in the blog.
Best,
Amy
Spoonflower
I just love this! As a History Major, I am excited about the possibilities of what concerns us and telling my Story in Fabric.
Quancidine Hinson-Gribble
ETSY Page, Quancidine
Fayetteville, NC
Surely making a point that the artists are black is a denigration of their talent. Origin may inform an artist’s style so it could be of significance to their work; but just because they are labeled Black in skin colour? Please…!
Art is an equal playing field – and all – of any colour or ethnicity, should play on it.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your comment. The intent of the piece is to celebrate Black History Month by honoring and acknowledging the amazing work of some of our black community members, like Terrance. As part of our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts we leverage different awareness months throughout the year to partner with community members in highlighting makers who identify with the awareness being celebrated. We are proud of the opportunity to highlight creatives that may have been historically overlooked and are truly delighted with the positive response our efforts have gotten so far.
Take care,
Amy
Spoonflower
So So SO Inspiring.
Thank you to have shared. I so hope every single one had more visibility!!!
My culture is not as rich in style than others so I could never give you something back for everything we “borrowed”. (unless you’re into ceinture flechees which I think we also borrowed…).
And the colors!!! Juxtaposition. Now that’s gumption!
Thank you foe everything!