Imagine waking as much as an email from one in all the largest stores on the planet stating they’re fascinated by carrying your brand. 

That’s what happened to Kimberly and Keyondra Lockett last 12 months, founders of athleisure brand Jolie Noire. Who sent the e-mail? Goal, yes that Goal. 

“We received a message in our business email,” explained Keyondra, who can be an award-nominated gospel singer. “After which additionally they emailed Kim. That’s how bad they were searching for us,” she said, pointing to how incredibly humbled they were to see the massive brand actively looking for out their company for partnership. 

However the road to success wasn’t all the time easy. Ever entrepreneurial, Jolie Noire isn’t the sisters’ first brand. In 2012 they launched an apparel line called Red Glasses Sisters, entirely supported by their very own funds. Even though it was well received, they found the brand’s name to be limiting and decided to pivot. That’s when Jolie Noire was born years later in 2018. 

Meaning ‘pretty black’ in French, the sisters said they’re aiming to make use of the brand as a vehicle to diversify the style industry and represent the great thing about black women worldwide. They were inspired to launch the road after failing to seek out what they desired to purchase in stores. 

“We desired to create a secure space for Black women after realizing in our adult years that  no person goes to support and supply refuge such as you and sisters,” said Kimberly. 

Starting out with graphic and illustrated tees, they’ve been an almost immediate hit, with celebrities like Naturi Naughton and Tabitha Brown showing support.  The thought was sparked from recognizing a necessity, like most great endeavors. 

“After we were sourcing designs, we found some shirts with very nice illustrations, but there have been hardly any Black women featured within the design,” Kimberly shared. “We knew we needed to shift that significantly in our own brand’s approach.” 

The sisters are also intentional about being size inclusive. 

“That was one in all the primary orders of business because we’re servicing Black women, and our bodies are available all sizes and styles,” Kimberly explained, mentioning the brand carries size offerings from S to 5XL. “We’ve been plus sized most of our lives, so we all know the problem that it’s to seek out, even in today’s time, to seek out things which can be just really good. Plus size fashion has evolved, but in my view, it has some more growing to do. We’re enthusiastic about having the chance to shift the way in which inclusive fashion looks.” 

Jolie Noire may be present in Goal stores nationwide and online at JolieNoire.com