Fashion in Africa has taken a whole new shift as there’s been series of designers across Africa who have taken fashion to a new level. Fashion is not only notable in Nigeria but it cuts across other parts of Africa. This is to show that every part of Africa has a unique style that best explains them culturally. Blending traditional artistry with contemporary fashion, African designers have been making crazy waves in the fashion industry. Here are some notable African designers who have constantly put Africa on the map with their unique fashion style;
1. Kenneth Ize: A Nigerian born who later studied in Europe, is a fashion designer who is celebrated for his amazing work, particularly with weaving the Yoruba textile, Aso-oke. He has envisaged fashion design in a different manner therefore being versatile with traditional Nigerian textile with a blend of contemporary fashion integration. His works has gained significant attention from the international fashion community after he made his first international debut in Paris Fashion week 2020. He has collaborated with many brands like Karl Lagerfeld.
Ize is known for mixing colours in unexpectable ways and also collaborating with local weavers in Nigeria to produce beautiful handwoven piece that marks the importance of sustainable and culturally respectful fashion.
SOURCE: Karl Lagerfeld
2. Thebe Magugu: Magugu is a South African that is well recognized as a major figure in the fashion world. He made history in 2019 as the first African to win the LVMH prize for young fashion designers. This award cemented his place and reputation as the leading voice of contemporary African design on the global stage.
In one of his collection “African studies”, he combined elements of traditional African dress with high fashion using locally sourced fabrics from south Africa.
SOURCE: The New York Times
3. Maki Oh: Amaka Osakwe otherwise known as Maki Oh is a renowned Nigerian fashion designer known for her work with traditional Nigerian dyeing technique such as adire, a technique that involves intricate resist dyeing patterns.
Maki Oh has been celebrated internationally and worn by various influential figures, including the former first lady of America, Michelle Obama. She has showcased her collections at New York fashion week and was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.
Her works combine a strong sense of African cultural heritage with a modern feminine aesthetic, making her one of the most acclaimed fashion designer in her generation.
SOURCE: Vogue
4. Imane Ayissi: The Cameroon born former dancer and model, Imane Ayissi, has a strong sense of fashion and connection to African arts and culture. Ayissi is known for his use of traditional African textiles such as Kente, and raffia incorporated into contemporary high fashion.
His debut as the first sub-saharan African designer to showcase a couture collection at the Paris fashion week, was a landmark for the introduction of his distinctive taste on African textiles and designs to the world.
SOURCE: CNN
5. Rich Mnisi: A young and innovative designer from South Africa is known for his playful and colourful approach to fashion. He draws inspiration from African mythology, queer identity, creating designs that are bold and expressive, blending street wear with high fashion.
Mnisi’s willingness to explore themes of identity, gender, and African folklore has made him a trailblazer for inclusive African fashion. He also experiments with gender versatility, fluidity in fashion, creating pieces that can be worn by all, irrespective of the gender.
He has won several awards, including being named one of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30.
SOURCE: Instagram
These African designers have done nothing but constantly put African traditional fashion on the map, telling stories about Africa with our traditional fabrics and textiles to create amazing fashion designs and still infusing contemporary high fashion styles.
