KitsCH Noir was created, founded and is managed and run by Cherelle Brown, a fashion graduate with a passion for design who started drawing and creating stationery and greetings cards after she was made redundant from a role and had to time to really indulge her creative side. Quickly her doodles and handmade cards became popular with her family and friends and she branched out into design.
The mainstream greetings card industry has been far too white for far too long, and Cherelle has made incredibly headway to change it. She designs each piece to uplift and celebrity diversity and community, and as anyone who’s shopped with KitsCH Noir will attest; she’s pretty damn good at it. Her customer base is diverse, and she admits that it’s not uncommon for non-Black people to browse and find they relate to the cards and designs before they realise all the faces on them are Black. It goes to show: representation is important, and those who aren’t Black probably have never even considered the lack of it in the greetings card sector before.
In raising awareness of diversity and celebrating Black British culture in her designs, Cherelle has fast become an activist for inclusivity. She launched the #CelebrateBlackMen campaign in May 2020 and continues to work to embrace, empower and encourage her community (you’ll spot these words on lots of her designs) and works with companies who do so too.
KitsCH Noir now comprises greetings cards, stationery, prints and even merchandise. It’s hard to believe that Cherelle only founded the brand in 2017 – as you’ll find it in the likes of high street giants Scribbler, Paperchase and Papersmiths, and online through Moonpig! Her planners and notebooks are strewn across my desk (I’m literally typing with them either side of my laptop!) and I’m the proud owner of her prints on my wall.
Cherelle brought her cards and range of brilliant Black British products to her first Fierce Babe market back in 2020 and we hope to see her at many more.
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