The Relaunch of DARQ Collective
Originally launched as an online magazine and dissertation project in 2017, DARQ Collective has now evolved into a thriving brand celebrating beauty and storytelling through hair and skincare. The founder handcrafts each natural product with care, bringing unique creations to an online audience.
Founder Larissa Brown discovered the talented photography team through The Dots, collaborating with them over two days to bring DARQ’s refreshed identity to life. Product shots were captured in a Hackney studio, while lifestyle images were taken at her best friend's home in South London. For more photos from the shoot, visit DARQ Collective on Instagram (@darqcollective) or explore the gallery on the website.
After submitting her dissertation, Brown decided to launch an online magazine, featuring interviews with up-and-coming creatives from around London and capturing portraits of them in the city’s vibrant settings. However, balancing the demands of a full-time job made it challenging to keep up with the magazine. Seeing her passion for haircare, Brown's cousin suggested a new direction: creating haircare products. This idea promised to be both a rewarding business venture and a natural next step after her dissertation project.
After completing a cosmetic-making course and navigating years of challenges—ranging from unemployment and lockdowns to mental health struggles—DARQ has finally reached a strong and thriving place, growing beautifully into its potential.
DARQ Collective includes:
Hair & Body Butters
Almond & Shea Butter with Apricot Oil
Mango & Olive Butter with Avocado Oil
Shea & Mango Butter with Sweet Almond Oil
Hair & Body Oils
Peng One | Olive & Apricot Oil
Soft One | Jojoba & Peach Oil
Sweet One | Pumpkin & Almond Oil
MERCH
DARQ Durags
DARQ Bandanas
Starting in 2025, the collective will produce media pieces that uncover the untold and complex hair stories of Black Londoners. These stories, deeply rooted in Black British culture, will shed light on experiences often shaped by subtle but persistent undercurrents of racism, bringing visibility to voices that have long been overlooked.
If you'd like to be involved in creating these media pieces, please send an email to hello@darqcollective with the subject [DARQ Media Pieces].
Project Tags
Companies
DARQ Collective
- Hair, Beauty & Cosmetics