African fashion is experiencing a renaissance, with a new wave of talented designers making waves both locally and internationally. Let’s take a look at ten emerging African fashion designers who are reshaping the industry with their innovative designs, bold creativity, and unique perspectives.
1. Nkwo
Nkwo is an artisanal fashion brand at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement in Nigeria. Founded by designer Nkwo Onwuka, the label’s core values revolve around conserving natural resources and the environment.
Nkwo draws inspiration from everywhere and everything. The brand focuses on reducing textile waste and restoring traditional value systems corrupted by fast fashion.
Dakala Cloth is an ethical textile waste cloth developed by Nkwo’s studio. It bridges the gap between inadequate waste management systems and the preservation of traditional craft skills. The fabric is created by stripping and sewing denim, resulting in a hand-loomed upcycled material with an African feel.
Nkwo’s clothes are free-spirited and nomadic, inspired by the lives of wandering people in African deserts and great plains. The brand celebrates African heritage while promoting sustainability.
For more information, visit the Nkwo website.
2. Lisa Folawiyo
Based in Nigeria, Lisa Folawiyo is renowned for her fusion of traditional African textiles with modern silhouettes and embellishments. Her eponymous label features handcrafted pieces adorned with intricate beadwork, embroidery, and appliqué, creating a unique blend of luxury and cultural heritage that resonates with global audiences.
In 2005, she launched her label, Jewel by Lisa, with an initial investment of 20,000 Naira.
Armed with 12 yards of fabric, she collaborated with her mother to create the first pieces. Lisa seamlessly blends traditional West African textiles like Ankara with modern tailoring techniques. Her emphasis on beading and sequin trim elevates her designs above the ordinary. Issa Rae, the Senegalese-American actress, has been spotted wearing her creations.
Lisa Folawiyo’s work has graced the pages of Vogue Italia (2012) and garnered attention globally. She has showrooms in both Nigeria and New York. Lisa’s unique approach resonates with a global audience.
For more information, visit the Lisa Folawiyo website.
Read: Meet Arafat Bello-Osagie, The New CEO Of Play Network Africa
3. Rich Mnisi
Hailing from South Africa, Rich Mnisi is a South African-based contemporary fashion brand founded in 2014 by LISOF graduate and Africa Fashion International Young Designer of the Year 2014, Rich Mnisi.
Rich Mnisi is making waves with his gender-neutral designs and avant-garde aesthetic. His bold use of color, unconventional silhouettes, and attention to detail have earned him acclaim on local and international runways, positioning him as one of Africa’s most promising fashion talents.
Rich Mnisi’s designs are characterized by extremist yet minimalist structures, where design and craftsmanship take center stage. His keen interest in pop culture infuses the brand with a contemporary outlook, bringing together worlds of artistic imagination. Explore the latest collections on the official RICH MNISI website.
4. Sindiso Khumalo
Sindiso Khumalo is a sustainable textile designer in Cape Town, South Africa. She founded her eponymous label in 2015 with a passion for modern and sustainable clothing emphasizing African history and heritage.
Inspired by her mother’s activism, Khumalo infuses her designs with social equality and female empowerment values. Her pieces celebrate the history of her home nation and prioritize ethical production.
Khumalo’s hand-painted watercolors and collage prints are at the heart of each collection. She collaborates with NGOs and small South Africa and Burkina Faso workshops to produce unique handwoven and hand-embroidered textiles. Her work has been showcased at prestigious museums such as the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, and the Zeitz Mocaa Museum in Cape Town.
You can explore Sindiso Khumalo’s collections on her official website. Her work is also available on NET-A-PORTER as part of their Vanguard initiative.
5. MaXhosa by Laduma
MaXhosa by Laduma is a South African knitwear brand founded in 2012 by Laduma Ngxokolo. The brand celebrates traditional Xhosa aesthetics through contemporary knitwear designs. Ngxokolo’s innovative use of geometric patterns, vibrant colors, and luxurious yarns has garnered international attention, earning him a place among Africa’s leading fashion innovators.
Laduma’s initial vision was to create a modern Xhosa-inspired knitwear collection that would resonate with this market. Inspired by traditional Xhosa aesthetics, he reinterpreted astonishing beadwork patterns, symbolism, and colors into contemporary knitwear. The brand’s evolved and amended designs resonate globally, transcending fashion markets. Laduma’s pride and creativity shine through the intrinsic pieces he creates for MaXhosa Africa.
MaXhosa Africa is globally recognized, with invites to showcase at prestigious platforms like New York Fashion Week. Explore the world of MaXhosa Africa and discover their latest collections for both women and men on their official website.
Read: The Different Types of Fila Worn by Yoruba Men
6. Taibo Bacar
Hailing from Mozambique, Taibo Bacar is known for his sophisticated, elegant designs that seamlessly blend African influences with contemporary fashion trends. His collections feature luxurious fabrics, impeccable tailoring, and timeless silhouettes that appeal to discerning fashion enthusiasts seeking refined and timeless pieces.
As the son of a seamstress, Bacar was always surrounded by fabrics and the constant sounds of old-school sewing machines. He occasionally designed for most of his mother’s clients.
Since its inception in 2008, the young designer has graced numerous magazine editorials and international fashion weeks and created tailor-made dresses for yours truly. He currently has two lines: TB (ready-to-wear) and TAIBO BACAR Couture, which focuses on high fashion.
7. Christie Brown
Christie Brown (CB) is a Ghanaian-based luxury fashion brand founded in 2008 by Creative Director Aisha Ayensu. The brand is named after Aisha’s grandmother, a Ghanaian seamstress with no label of her own.
From women selling colorfully printed and intricately woven fabrics in crowded market stalls to seamstresses expertly cutting out patterns by hand, Christie Brown is inspired by the countless artisans and visionaries who have come up before it. From women selling colorfully printed and intricately woven fabrics in crowded market stalls to seamstresses expertly cutting out patterns by hand.
Their vision is to infuse modernity into the essence of African aesthetics, transcending international tastes. Their Holiday 2023 collection features luxurious textures and dazzling shimmers, perfect for your social calendar. Mansa, Demi, Lola, and Abena are among their sought-after creations.
For more information and to explore their collections, visit the Christie Brown website.
8. Tongoro Studio
Established by Sarah Diouf in 2016 in Senegal, Tongoro Studio is known for its vibrant and bold designs celebrating African culture and identity. The brand was named after Diouf’s mother’s nickname: “Tongoro” (meaning “star” in Sango).
Diouf’s label offers a range of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories crafted from locally sourced materials, showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of African fashion on a global stage.
Tongoro’s pieces are easy to wear, instantly covetable, and, best of all, affordable for her target audience. The deceptively simple construction of pieces like the Ngor dress belies the remarkable craftsmanship of these seemingly breezy dresses and separates.
Visit their website to embrace the beauty of African fashion!
9. Mille Collines
The Mille Collines story begins in Kigali in 2008 when the paths of two passionate women crossed: Antoinette, a Rwandan seamstress, and Ines, a Spanish design student. They shared the same vision: believing that uniting talents would lead to groundbreaking products in Africa.
Ines’s best friend Marc joined her in Rwanda, and with Antoinette’s mentorship, they created the first apparel collection. In 2009, Marc and Ines co-founded the brand. The artisans and design team at the first Kigali Atelier voted for ‘Atelier des mille collines’.
Kigali is known as ‘Le Pays Des Mille Collines, ’ which means’ the land of a thousand hills’ in French. Since its start, Mille Collines has worked with talented entrepreneurs passionate about their craft. Our designs start with them and are adapted to meet the uniqueness of their work.
10. Tokyo James
Tokyo James is a British Nigerian luxury fashion brand founded in 2015 by Iniye Tokyo James. This visionary brand focuses on intersectionality, going beyond mere clothing creation to craft pieces that serve multiple purposes while maintaining a clean and visually appealing appearance.
Iniye Tokyo James, the designer behind the brand, studied Mathematics in London before embarking on a career as a fashion stylist. His edgy tailoring with a London rebel spirit challenges stereotypes associated with African fashion. Notably, music stars like Burna Boy, Naira Marley, and Ghetts have become fans of Tokyo James, with Ghetts recently donning a custom Tokyo James suit at the Brit Awards23.
Established as a menswear brand, Tokyo James bold tailoring soon expanded to womenswear. Iniye Tokyo James has been Nominated for many awards, including as a finalist for numerous awards, including the LVMH Young Designer Prize (2021) and the Fashion Trust Arabia ( 2023 ). Tokyo James has collaborated with brands including LVMH 24s, Martell & Budweiser.