Africa and its emerging crop of Fashion designers is beginning to catch the attention of the fashion world in the global scene. Read on to find out the top 10 fashion designers in Africa and their country of origin.
1. Laduma Maxhosa
South Africa Laduma is one of African finest knitwear designers who has been making tremendous impact in the world of fashion with inspiration from Xhosa rite of passage.The brand was established in 2011 and has receives numerous achievement and captures the hearts of many fashion lovers across the globe, and have create wave in the movie industry especially the Black Panther movie where several cast members wore the MaXhosa’s design to the world premiere of the movie.
2. Imane Ayissi
A Cameroonian born in a family of Craftsmen and sportsmen.He became interested in fashion as a child, and worked as a model, presenting the men’s collection of famous luxury.He toured the world as a member of the “Ballet National du Cameroun” and also collaborates on a regular basis with other luxury brands and also created a line of dresses for the presentation at the Carousel de Louvre in Paris.
3. Lisa Folawiyo
A Nigerian whose designs has been shown at the New York fashion week and had been admired by celebrities such as Nyong’o and Thandie Newton. Lisa Folawiyo is best known for incorporating west African textiles to create highly convertible print with modern tailoring techniques and innovative use of Ankara and African Fabrics which haven’t been seen before by turning it to something luxurious and convetable with her incredible designs skills. She has showrooms in both Nigeria and New York and her collections are stocked worldwide.
4. Katungulu Mwendwa
A Kenyan raised fashion designer, who source materials from local artisans for her curio shop. Passionate about making designs that are timeless, stylish casual and formal wears that extend beyond any season. She completed her fashion degree in London and went on in creating her awesome fashion lines and fast gaining global following.
5. Prime Obsession
Prime Obsession is a brand run by two designers Shelley Mokoena and keneilwe Mothoa. Their careers began in Instagram where they show off series of minimal and simple with design principle influences such as volume structures, balance and proportion which comes from interior designs background. Their clothing is inspired by many traditions and culture, religion and social structure which is exposing the brands to international audience.
6. Maki Oh
Founded by a Nigerian called Maki Osakwe in 2010.
Maki Oh is a woman’s wear brand whose designs has been worn by Mrs. Michelle Obama who invited the young designer to the White House. The line is made entirely in her home in Nigeria. Maki Oho was one of the two Africans who became a finalists in the first LVMP prize for young designers.
7. Loza Maleombho
Born in Brazil raised between Cotedvoire and the United States. She is an Ivorian African American designer. At the age of 13 she develop interest in designing and following a fashion degree she interned with Jill Stuart, Yigal Azrouel and Cynthia Rowley before launching her own brand in 2009. Then she relocated to Ivory coast where she began working with skilled artisans where she bridged Ivorian fashion aesthetic with New York Urban’s fashion.
8. Ami Doshi Shah
Based in Nairobi Kenya, a wanderer moving from Oman to North America to UK where she became a jeweler and applied artist in Mumbai and Jaipur. She founded her own brand ” I am I” in Nairobi . She designs her pieces by hands, approaching her work from a slightly eccentric view points that defies the typical or expected perception from what it means to be an African designer.
9. Kirsten Goss
A South African jewellery designers. She studied jewellery designs in Stellenbosch and worked for Erickson in the UK before moving on to start her own label in London in 2002. When she arrived in South Africa she open 3 shops in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, besides having designs pieces for major personalities.
10. Aprelle Duany, leather accessories
Aprelle Duany was born and raised in the US. She lauched her leather goods in Nairobi Kenya designed in Africa and produced in Europe. She initially studied Information Technology before switching to Fashion institute of Technology in New York City. She started making leather bags and accessories with sophisticated machineries as well as handcrafting techniques to make the products.