Netherlands

Amsterdam

Fashion

Designer

Shopping

Isaac Kimbugwe

Daily Paper key figure Isaac Kimbugwe lets us in on what's good in Amsterdam. Born and raised in South London, he moved to Dam back in 2014 and quickly established himself in the local scene by strengthened the partnership between London and Amsterdam's creatives. He now considers Amsterdam his home - "I have always been connected to the streets and culture wherever I am". Innovation & design obsessed, Isaac's top spots are certain to give insight in to the growing creative scene.

When I first moved to Amsterdam from London back in 2014, the first people who showed me the ropes in the city were Daily Paper co-founders Hussein Suleiman, Jefferson Osei, and Abderrahmane Trabsini who grew on to become my family. In 2016 Daily Paper’s first flagship store opened and since then has served as more than just amazing clothing, but also a hub for ingenious people from all walks of life to come together, hang out and share similar passion points. What makes this place unique is that you'll always feel welcome and directly get to know the people behind the brand.

Foam is an internationally renowned Amsterdam museum that exhibits all genres of photography in a beautiful canal-side setting on the Keizersgracht. The museum presents ever changing exhibitions and all kinds of photographic genres are shown, such as historical photographs, art photographs, news photos and fashion photographs. As well as displaying a wide variety of works, it acts as a creative hub where photographers can meet and participate in forums and symposiums. I first fell in love with this place when my good friend Mirelva Berghout, who is project cordinator at Foam invited me to enjoy a special viewing of the exhibition Gordon Parks - I Am You.

What you might get to know from me is that I’m all about supporting friends and their ventures, no matter the industry. You’ll most likely catch me hanging at friends' stores, offices, exhibitions, restaurants etc. This usually takes me over to Mendo located in the Berenstraat, which is one of the 9 Streets in the heart of Amsterdam. My close friend (Gunifort Uwambaga) is the publisher and co-owner.
Mendo is a candy store for book aficionados. It has a comprehensive stocklist of streetwear and fashion coffee table books that are both super informative and look great out on display. As I’m always in and out of London and Paris, my last pick up was the collection of ‘The Streets of…’ It's a series of books that offer a contemporary take on the classic city photo-book and contain: The Streets of: New York, London, Amsterdam and Paris. 

The Fitting Room is home to one of my favourite contemporary fashion and streetwear brands, ØLÅF Hussein, who marries technical features and sharp minimal silhouettes. Located in Amsterdam’s bustling 9 Streets shopping district, this beautiful space is on the ground level of an early 17th century warehouse with existing wooden ceiling beams, herringbone flooring plants and comfortable furniture. This is all intended to give the store the feeling of a living room and embody the timeless design of the modernist movement.

To be honest, Amsterdam Chinatown is one of the areas of Amsterdam I dread to go simply due to…. tourists, yet I find always myself there for Zeedjik 60. A multi-brand store of Amsterdam's finest young and independent labels: Bonne Suits, The New Originals, SMIB and Secluded Clothing

Best pancakes in town and another cool spot I and my friends like to hang. You can find a signature Daily Paper pancake on the menu as well. 

A Tremaine classic… a wavey 1.5 with the grain, skin fade and a beard shape up. At the back of the Daily Paper store you’ll find a barbering concept titled Day Studios. It's a one of a kind full men's grooming experience. The store is redesigned to emphasise a concept where fashion and barbering come together to give you a 360 experience. 

Personally for me the South-East of Amsterdam is a refreshing view of the city that I feel many have not had the pleasure to visit and explore when they come here. Amsterdam Bijlmer is a place where different ethnicities not only understand the challenges that face them, but unite and help each other which reminds me of how I grew up in South London. With a mix of 100,000 residents from 150 ethnic backgrounds, predominantly African and Caribbean, I really feel at home whenever I’m here. Every Saturday the Ganzenhoef Bijlmer market takes place and I like to come here and get my African ingredients and flavours. There are also a number of Afro-Caribbean salons and stores catered to black hair and skin in the area where I like to pick up my oils and creams. 

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8 Places to Hit Up in Amsterdam with Daily Paper's Isaac Kimbugwe

This list of Black-owned businesses in Amsterdam is a result of collaboration across our global community and is by no means exhaustive. There are so many more incredible businesses out there and we welcome all suggestions. We’ll be updating this guide regularly, so if you feel like sharing, please email us.

We'd like to thank Guillaume Schmidt and Isaac Tremaine

and the anonymous collaborators who helped curate this list for us.

Here are Dutch, English and Spanish children's books, toys and maternity gifts for the little ones.

They then began to collaborate with the likes of ASICS, adidas, Converse, Nike, Reebok among other brands, after their increased online presence.

A delicious Surinamese BBQ dine-in and take-away restaurant.

The brand is fuelled by the rich heritage of African culture wrapped in contemporary designs.

A designer clothing label founded by Olaf who is continuously inspired by countries, cultures and citizens.

An independent publishing house with a flagship store and an award-winning webshop, dedicated to sharing the love for beautiful books.

This salon stands for Afro-centric styling and care of hair for all ages and genders.

The first Black doll gift shop in Europe!

A footwear designer established by Guillaume Philibert, aiming to sell premium high-quality sneakers for a reasonable price.

Founded in Amsterdam in 2012 by a group of inspired youths for consumers who want thoughtful clothing.

Quality streetwear pieces with influences coming from Japan street culture and much more.

If you don’t know this place, you'll never find it. This Surinamese take-away place is tucked away in a small nondescript building in Venserpolder, Amsterdam Zuid-Oost. The fish is Annie’s signature dish. It is American butterfish, fried to perfection and served with banana and cassave.

The first West African restaurant located in Gein serving everything from spicy calf ribs to tilapia with plantain and chicken with the famous jollof rice.

Inspired by a journey between the metropolitan cities of Addis Ababa and Amsterdam, Dechase is a contemporary shoe brand that merges diversity, sustainability, and African heritage into its core brand ethos.

The New Originals (est. 2015) make performance clothing for creatives. Our collections are made for a unisex audience.

Once an Amsterdam bike shop, now a staple brunch spot. Since 2017, the brothers at Water & Brood have brought quality interpretations of classic American brunch dishes alongside authentic Surinamese dishes straight out of their mother's kitchen. Chef Tracy B, from St. Martin, has only upped the game with her addition of classic island flavours.

An international fusion kitchen with the specialty of bringing cultures and spices together in an extraordinary meal.

A funky, family-run cafe with communal seating offering vegan versions of Caribbean & Japanese dishes.

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