10 African Designers you should already know, and their latest Collections

Today there is thread of designers who are weaving and breathing a fresh perspective on the African Fashion Industry. These creatives have continued in the breaking of new ground, and are claiming new territory for “African work” all over the globe. From appearing on mega cover magazines to getting worn by global stars across all boarders. Here are 10 of the many designers who are currently commanding focus on African fashion both at home and away.

1. Sarah Diouf

Launched in spring 2016, the Tongoro brand takes its name after Sarah’s nickname “Tongoro” which was given by her mother. The name means “star” and the brand designed and produced in Dakar, Senegal shines its focus on economic and social development for artisans in Western Africa.

Their long-term goal is to create a new dynamic market for Africa-based manufacturing, and foster the economic and social development of local tailors and artisanal workers in west Africa. Tongoro has gained international brilliance since its launch with the likes of Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Alicia keys, Iman, Burna boy and was listed amongst fast company’s 10 most innovative companies for 2020.

Find out more about Tongoro here.

2. David Tlale

Born in Vosloorus, in the East of Johannesburg, South Africa. David Tlale has steadily (and most definitely) elegantly progressed as one of Africa’s truest OGs in fashion. His career begun after winning the Elle New Talent at SA Fashion Week and his brand David Tlale draws inspiration from his Vosloorus roots and upbringing.

The Brand highlights elegance that challenges the clichéd and predictable trends in African fashion. Recently launching his Autumn/Winter Collection 2022/2023 titled ANTICS. The designer reflects and embodies beauty and African rawness with the bold colours and textures that reverberate elegance. Fabricated with satin, suede, organdy, and leather on mesh, and knit men’s wear. This will give you more sheath, A-Line, extreme volume and dramatic shoulder wedge silhouette.

Find more about David Tlale here

Also Read: BRAND OF THE WEEK: ASANTII

3. Adebayo Oke-Lawal

Since it’s birth in 2011, the Nigerian brand Orange Culture has gone from strength to strength thanks to Adebayo Oke-Lawal the brand founder and creative director. He began creating garments at the age of 10, and has made way towards becoming a voice for fashion that knows no bounds in Nigeria’s true blued society. His collections are a ‘movement’ rather than just items to be worn, and he wears this movement constantly (have you seen his Instagram page, fire!), which has made him an inspiration for many.

From breaking traditional gender stereotypes to synonymously celebrating his Nigerian culture, at the age of only 28, Adebayo is a pioneer in the making. Orange Culture gives an urban twist to modern African outfits, whilst keeping a strong sense of tradition throughout every piece. Sustainability is integral to the brand and all the materials used are ethically-sourced and manufactured in Lagos.

Today, Orange Culture is the first Nigerian brand to be stocked in Selfridges and has accumulated various accolades, including the prestigious LVMH prize.

View their latest African fashion collection here.

4. Taibo Bacar

Known for its fusion of high fashion and ready to wear, the TAIBO BACAR brand was curated in 2008 by designer Taibo Bacar with former model and fashion mogul, Tatiana Ismael. Taibo was born to a seamstress and this introduced him to fashion at an early age.

His brand is now considered one of the leading in Africa. It emphasizes the feminine body using only selected cutting techniques and the highest grade of materials, making every Taibo Bacar woman unique. Their latest collection Hyde Park brings out the luxury in silk and soft style. Pieces on the collection involve shirts, dresses, suits, jumpsuits, swimsuits and more.

In the African Fashion industry, Taibo is considered a solid and sustainable pillar for the forthcoming years. The brand has won many international awards since its inception, and was the first African brand to showcase at Milan Fashion Week. The brand is slowly conquering the world with timeless creations designed in Mozambique, Africa.

Find out more about Taibo Bacar here

5. Rich Mnisi

Rich Mnisi is a South African based contemporary and multi-disciplinary designer. His brand RICH MNISI was founded in 2015 but his style; disruptively epic, has most recently become the internets favourite, with a few controversial looks, but truly intentional.

Through his work, Mnisi hopes to unearth Africa’s hidden treasures with youthful, contemporary, and modern designs. Born from his yearn to connect deeper with his unique culture and heritage, the brand tells a compelling story through fashion and design – a story of a mysterious past, intriguing present, and reimagined future. Each RICH MNISI collection and offering presents a distinct point of view, celebrating culture, heritage, and the common human experience. All this packaged in extremist yet minimalist structures which are rooted in innovative design and superior craftsmanship.

The brand states to be environmentally conscious by contributing positively towards building an industry with fair labour practices and empowered workers.

Find Out more about their latest releases

6. Akosua Afriyie-Kumi

Inspired by sunsets and bold colours, her handbags have been globally embraced and here is why. On a single look, it becomes impossible to resist the beauty and quality designs woven in fun and colourful patterns.

From Ghana, Akosua Afriyie-Kumi was partly inspired by traveling around the world, but her visual arts education and the beautiful coloured lifestyle of her Ghanian people all contributed to starting her brand. Talking to CN Traveler, Akosua talks about the pandemic presenting a strange opportunity that forever changed her brand. From being stuck home, and then sales skyrocketing as the world supported black business in Europe by George Floyd’s death. “I was running around the whole place, the whole of Ghana, trying to put things together and to actually fulfil all the orders that I’d gotten. So, of course, the pandemic has stopped me from traveling, but it’s also really helped me to slow down at the same time, and to really appreciate the little things in life” 

With her latest collection dubbed SS22 mostly sold-out, we wait for the SS23 which will be launched soon, but meanwhile, AAKS recently brunched into creating wall baskets and indoor placements.

Find out more about Akosua’s work here

7. Moses Turahirwa

Moshions bridges the past and future to unleash the creative potential of the present. The brands slow but thoughtful contemporary fashion designer and creative director Moses Turahirwa is forging a new era of Africa’s sustainable designers, and paying homage to visual storytelling in Rwanda and Africa’s traditional ways through unique aesthetic creations that celebrate African narratives vibrantly with the world.

He started MOSHIONS in 2015 and intends to reimagine the eclectic visual heritage of Africa through meticulous craftsmanship and manual printing techniques that are 100% made in Africa. His Moshions brand is an ever-evolving creative manifestation of his love of discovery, play, and the beauty found in the details of the environments and culture that surrounds us.

His latest collection Imandwa Zose sends him in pursuit beauty in fluidity. The creative director combines organic fabrics, natural dyes and high-end couture in an expressive collection with interplay of traditional and contemporary aesthetics and true fashion freedom of ancient generations from across the African continent.

Find out more about the Imandwa Collection here

8. Laduma Ngxokolo

Founded back in 2012 by Laduma Ngxokolo, the South African brand MAXHOSA AFRICA still impresses with a line up of awards under its belt, including the Vogue Italia Scouting for Africa Award. His Knitwear designs have made him stand out from the long list of South Africa’s most highly regarded designers.

Laduma uses traditional Xhosa beadwork and premium South African materials like mohair and wool to produce his one of a kind eye-catching pieces for both men and women. The vibrant colours and histrionic patterns are inspired by the designers traditional Xhosa descent. In his latest release MAXHOSA SS22 that is almost sold out, Laduma experiments with multiple slits on combining hem length garments, giving many of his dresses and skirts free-flowing beauty. You will often see fine beading work with incredible attention to detail housed in geometric knitted shapes.

Check out the MAXHOSA SS22 Collection here

9. Thebe Magugu

Thebe Magugu (pronounced as Tebe Magugu) is a young designer based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the first African designer to win the LVMH prize in 2019. Thereafter, he staged his debut collection at Paris Fashion Week in February the next year and moved to Johannesburg to study fashion design, fashion photography and fashion media from LISOF.

2 years after winning the best graduate collection, he began his namesake label, THEBE MAGUGU – a South African fashion brand that specializes in women’s ready to wear. In his latest women’s collection which swallows from a variety of era’s, the GENEALOGY COLLECTION T M . S S 2 0 2 2 explores Thebe’s roots in prominent prints inspired by the Sotho culture’s re-contextualized wax print known as Seshweshwe.

The Collection also includes accessories that involve coin stamped brands with the Sisterhood Emblem, exaggerated doeks [head-pieces] made using pieces of left-over fabric from the cutting room floor, and worthy to be called a master piece, the shoe better known as an After-Tears Kitten Heel features prominent ‘ears’ that jut out in front of the shoe, with a hand-stitched border which runs all around its edge. 

Take a look at the collection here.

10. Ifeanyi Nwune

Ifeanyi Nwune is a young menswear designer, image consultant and creative director, and most recently, NFT Collector from Lagos. His journey through fashion and creating is believed to have professionally commenced in 2012, after he worked as a stylist assistant at Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Lagos. In 2014, he launched his namesake clothing line, I.N (Ifeanyi Nwune) with a debut collection named “Control” and subsequently did another collection named “Loud Serenity”.

Pieces from I.N can be seen in the wardrobes of most top Nigerian pop stars, actors and notable people. He went along to launch his fedora hat line in 2015 named “Control Hats” which took the public by storm and sold out in weeks.

I.N showcased his AW19 New World Order Collection at The Abryanz Style and Fashion Awards 2019.

Find out more about Ifeanyi Nwune herehttps://www.i-nofficial.com/password

Even with the impressive list above, we acknowledge that there are very many phenomenal designers who have not been included on this list. If you know any or are a designer yourself, tell us about that brand in the comment sections.