The world owes Africa and Africans for the different fashion trends they gave to fashion. Hip-hop culture was started by Africans miles away from home and the one’s back at home popularied Nigerian textiles and fabrics like the Ghanaian kente, wax and bologan. The north of Africa (along with persia and arab) helped the Kaftan to become popular around the world and western Africa (along with Asian countries) introduced the tie-dye technique to the world.
The African fashion scene is booming again with African designers and their designs walking the runway at Milan Fashion week and Paris fashion week. Let’s take a look at the top 20 African designers who are bringing a change in the very fabric of fashion by showcasing the rich culture, history and most importantly the jaw-dropping fashion Africa has to offer.
Top 20 African Fashion Designers
Anifa Mvuemba
Anifa Mvuemba, Congolese-American designer, owns the luxury designer clothing brand called Hanifa. The brand is inclusive of all sizes and also does bridal wear.
During the pandemic, in 2020, Anifa did a virtual fashion show on her instagram. She called this collection the Pink Label Congo collection and live was such a hit that the orders exceeded her production. Anifa’s label caught the eyes of the likes of Vogue and forbes. Rather than the textiles, the branding and presentation of the African brand Hanifa reflect the designer’s proud ancestry.
Aisha Ayensu Obuobi
Ghanaian fashion designer Aisha Ayensu Obuobi combines contemporary design and workmanship with traditional African textiles such as Kente, Batakari and Ankara. She proudly owns Christie Brown, a high-end brand. Christie Brown’s collection, which includes everything from custom dresses to cutting-edge ready-to-wear items and creative accessories, features traditional designs heavily. She has captivated fashion fans all across the world, from the glitzy pages of Harper’s Bazaar to Vogue Italia. Icons like Jackie Appiah, Genevieve Nnaji and Beyonce have all been dressed by Aisha.
Laduma Ngxokolo
MAXHOSA AFRICA is the brand founded by Laduma Ngxokolo. The brand celebrates the Xhosa beadwork and modern knitting techniques using the local mohair wool. Laduma has always been vocal about African representation in the fashion world. He brings a modern twist to the beauty of Xhosa fashion. The striking shades and elaborate patterns of MAXHOSA’s clothing have made them an essential component of luxury African design.
Celebrities like Beyoncé and Alicia Keys have worn Laduma’s creations. His designs have also been on the New York Fashion Week runways.
Loza Maléombho
Loza Maléombho has changed the game with her afro futuristic designs. Loza’s distinctive design effortlessly combines traditional African components with modern flare, combining innovative aesthetics and cultural references. Loza’s skill has been recognised by the international fashion community, as seen by the numerous high-profile runways, films and magazines that include her works.
Adebayo Oke-Lawal
The creative mind behind Orange Culture is Adebayo Oke-Lawal. He seamlessly combines streetwear with African, particularly Nigerian, fashion. His designs combine brilliant colours that transcend gender stereotypes with androgynous styles and indigenous Nigerian materials such as Aso-Oke. He has established himself as a stylist, art director and costume designer for well-known figures like Ice Prince, Rita Dominic and Tiwa Savage, Lupita Nyong’o, Dua Lipa and more.
Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana
Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana has become a major force in the fashion industry. Her brand, which is a pioneer in the luxury apparel industry, is dedicated to honouring and conserving African culture.The gorgeous selection of winter coats and jackets in Thabo Makhetha-Kwinana’s designs is inspired by Basotho blankets showcasing her culture. Her work was praised for its quality and inventiveness when she made her runway debut at Vancouver Fashion Week in Canada in 2014.
Yodit Eklund
Bantu is an African surf and beach lifestyle brand founded by Yodit Eklund. Bantu skilfully blends traditional African art and fabrics with the vibrant surf culture, drawing inspiration from Africa’s mythology of Mami Wata, the ocean goddess.
Mai Atafo
Mai Atafo’s ATAFO is here to make your clothes seem better. ATAFO is renowned for its finely fitted suits and refined sense of style, which are evident in every piece of clothing they make. He became well-known for creating custom wedding outfits and aso-oke waistcoats, specialising in traditional Nigerian textiles in chic and contemporary styles. Renowned for luxurious craftsmanship, ATAFO designs menswear, womenswear and bridal couture.
Deola Ade-Ojo
Deola Ade-Ojo is the founder of the brand House of Deola. She is known for putting Nigerian fashion on the fashion map and her attention to detail. She perfectly blends African textile with contemporary styles shaping the luxurious African fashion culture. Deola has received several honours for her work over the years, including becoming the first Nigerian to have a solo show at New York Fashion Week in 2014 and the first Black woman to exhibit at AltaRoma.
David Tlale
David Tlale born in South Africa is famous for using vibrant textiles, textures, and motifs in a dramatic and exquisite manner. David’s designs are all about honouring South Africa’s colourful customs and rich cultural variety. His creations, which draw influence from everything from church uniforms to township dress and are the ideal combination of luxury, modern elegance, and legacy. His creations, which feature bold yet elegant clothing that powerfully tells African stories, are renowned for their beauty, craftsmanship and use of exquisite fabrics.
Sai Sankosh
Sai Sankosh started out her career with a fashion blog ‘Because I am fabulous’. She later began selling her resort wear collection in late 2018, with a focus on vibrant, flowing kaftans, two-piece sets and loungewear that drew inspiration from her African background. Whether you are at the beach, by the pool or on an extravagant trip, her designs give ladies the confidence and beauty they deserve.
Thebe Magugu
Thebe Magugu is a high-end fashion brand from South Africa that focuses on fusing modern and stylish designs with Africa’s diverse and rich past. Thebe Magugu, well-known for its ready-to-wear collections, offers the fashion industry an intriguing blend of avant-garde style, cultural honour and superior quality. Magugu has worked with big names such as Adidas, Dior and designer AZ Factory.
Lanre Da Silva Ajayi
Lanre Da Silva Ajayi is the brains behind the fashion brand LDA World. Known for its metallic fabrics, lace, bright designs and feminine shapes influenced by Victorian and mid-century aesthetics, LDA provides couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, jewellery and hairpieces. The main goals of LDA World are to empower women through fashion while also celebrating African couture.
RICH MNISI
Rich Mnisi created his label RICH MNISI in 2015 by fusing African history, gender-fluid tailoring, and simple but creative designs.His brand promotes confidence and individualism. RICH MNISI adds an own touch to fashion with anything from bold skirts to oversized jackets. If you are looking to support an African queer fashion brand that also makes incredible clothes then RICH MNISI is made for you.
Sarah Diouf
Senegalese-Central African designer Sarah Diouf is the creator of the lively, morally conscious and ready-to-wear fashion brand Tongoro. Tongoro is dedicated to changing manufacturing in Africa and promoting the economic development of artisanal workers in West Africa by utilising locally sourced materials and collaborating with talented artisans. Tongoro has become a favourite for celebrities like Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, Alicia Keys, Iman and Burna Boy.
Ozwald Boateng
Ozwald Boateng is renowned for using vivid linings, patterned textiles and experimental styles to bring striking colours into conventional tailoring. He created a fresh, youthful style by blending Ghanaian energy with British craftsmanship. His client list includes Idris Elba, David Beckham and Will Smith.
Taibo Bacar
Taibo Bacar’s designs include Mozambican cultural themes, colonial history, and African nobility. The brand’s delicate, classic designs highlight the feminine divinity and are all about empowering women. Each item is made to make its user feel incredibly appreciated, loved and confident.
Folake Folarin‑Coker
Folake Akindele Cooker founded the renowned Nigerian fashion and lifestyle brand Tiffany Amber. The brand created the ready-to-wear market and transformed Nigeria’s fashion landscape. Tiffany Amber is well-known throughout the world for its elegant, classic designs with an African touch. The brand can be seen in major fashion hubs like Paris, London, Milan and New York.
Imane Ayissi
Imane Ayissi brings the essence of African fashion to the world with style and flair through his collections, which are featured at African Fashion Weeks, Paris Haute Couture Wee, and upscale boutiques in South Africa, Cameroon and Japan. He is well-known for the rich, sculptural silhouettes that incorporate African textiles such as raffia, kente, bogolan and Obom bark cloth. He also celebrates natural dyes, bamboo fabrics and traditional textiles from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Cameroon.
Duro Olowu
Duro Olowu is well-known for using a variety of prints, shapes and textures to create a sophisticated yet playful wardrobe. Every ensemble is a statement thanks to his pieces’ vivid patterns and detailed tailoring. He stitches together the cultures of Europe and Africa.
Conclusion
By pushing the limits of creativity and drawing inspiration from their rich cultural heritage, African fashion designers are having a significant impact on the global fashion scene.They all have a strong passion for their culture and the tales that have shaped it, but they each contribute something completely different to fashion.
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