Seunfunmi Joshua
Africa’s Fashion scene is bubbling with creativity thanks to a generation of designers who are redefining fashion across the continent. These Fashion Designers/Creative Directors in the likes of Veekee James, Anifa Mvuemba, Tolu Bally and Toyin Lawani, Kenneth Ize, are making waves, through their exquisite looks that have a mix of the traditional and modern elements.Their designs ranging from exquisite wedding dresses to cutting edge evening attire, showcases Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
Let’s not keep you waiting—meet these (10) African mavericks who are changing the fashion game in Africa and learn about the passion that drives their exceptional creations.
1. Veekee James (Nigeria)
Victoria James also known as Veekee James is a Nigerian fashion designer who is known for her gorgeous and exquisite bridal and evening gowns,Victoria James who was raised by fashion designer mother also started her fashion journey at an early age, she was eight years old when she involved herself with knitting and selling knitted accessories. She went on to venture into dressmaking, hairdressing, and makeup before pursuing fashion design. Veekee James combines intricate detailing with modern silhouettes. Her designs are popular among celebrities and brides-to-be. Veekee James journey to stardom in the fashion industry has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her designs have gained praises and awards for their luxury and elegance. She has dressed celebrities for high profile events who have won awards as best dressed while wearing her designs (Osas, who won the Best Dressed award at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards). She has also designed many beautiful bridal dresses for brides (Sharon Ooja…)
Veekee James’ design approach is characterized by her use of colors, textures, and patterns.
She has been recognized as one of Nigeria’s top five female fashion CEO’s, with Toyin Lawani, Mimi Yina, Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, and Matopeda King.
2. Laduma Ngxokolo (South Africa)
Laduma Ngxokolo is an award winning entrepreneur, creative artist, textile and knitwear designer who was born in 1986 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, created his own knitwear brand, MaXhosa by Laduma in 2010. MaXhosa was created to manufacture knitwear suited for amakrwala (Xhosa people initiates). The brand’s idea comes from traditional Xhosa beading, colours, and symbolism. His designs, with their deep cultural ties to his own background, win over South Africans’ hearts.
Ngxokolo creates clothes, such as knit skirts and ponchos. MaXhosa by Laduma uses merino wool purchased locally and mohair supplied from Port Elizabeth. Laduma took over as owner of his own manufacturing plant, which made it possible to create a fresh story about the design industry.
Laduma Ngxokolo has received multiple honours and has a worldwide following from South Africa, New York, and various European nations, including London and Paris.
3. Toyin Lawani (Nigeria)
Born on March 1, 1982, in Lagos, Nigeria and widely regarded as the “King of Fashion”, Toyin Lawani’s passion for fashion began at a young age. She started her fashion journey by creating clothes for herself and friends while studying at the University of Lagos. The Nigerian stylist started a mini supermarket, boutique, and spa at the age of 16 and eventually graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English Language. She eventually established her fashion brand, Tiannah’s Place Empire. Her designs are a perfect blend of African culture, elegance, and sophistication. She draws inspiration from her Nigerian culture and the world around her, creating pieces that are both daring and beautiful. Her designs have graced the runways of top fashion shows, including the New York Fashion Week and the Lagos Fashion Week. She has won multiple awards, Designer of the Year London, and Fashion Stylist of the Year multiple times. Among other accolades and awards, the stylist was recognized as the first Nigerian fashion designer to coordinate a Celebrity and Kids runway show at the same time.
Toyin Lawani is married to Segun Adebayo and they have three beautiful children. She is also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes, including education and healthcare initiatives.
4. Anifa Mvuemba (Congo)
Anif Muvemba is a Congolese-American fashion designer who was born in Nairobi, Kenya in the year 1990. She is the founder of the women clothing brand “HANIFA”. The brand HANIFA is widely known for the viral 3-D fashion show she debuted mid-pandemic. When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled her New York Fashion Week show in 2020, Anifa Mvuemba held a virtual show instead, using 3D animation, rather than using models. The show, which was streamed on Instagram Live, was viewed by tens of thousands of people and was a huge success.
Anifa Mvuemba collection which is called Pink Label Congo was inspired by her family home country, the democratic republic of Congo. Pink Label Congo collection features sexy-yet-sophisticated and sometimes downright regal pieces clearly designed to make the women who wear them feel like their best, most powerful selves. She started her brand Hanifa in 2012 with a mission to make women’s clothing for women of different shapes and sizes, she has been recognized by her groundbreaking approach to fashion and her dedication to social responsibility.
Anifa Muvemba has been featured in New York Magazine and has won the Future of Fashion Award.
5. Aisha Ayensu (Ghana)
Aisha Ayensu was born in Accra Ghana to a family of creatives, her grandmother who was a seamstress created textile design that served as an inspiration to Aisha. She studied psychology in the university of Ghana and later went on to pursue her dreams in fashion.
She founded the well known brand “CHRISTIE BROWN” in 2008.Christie brown is more of a cultural movement than a fashion brand, it embodies the traditional and modern elements with bold prints, vibrant colors and detailing. It is a go-to brand for celebrities and fashion enthusiasts alike, with clients like Beyoncé, Genevieve Nnaji, and Jackie Appiah.
6. Liya Kebede(Ethiopia)
Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian model, actress, advocate, and clothing designer who has been on the cover of Vogue 20 times and has modeled for top fashion brands such as Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton. She is the founder of “LEMLEM”, a clothing brand that works with artisans in Africa to produce handmade and sustainable clothing. Liya started the brand LEMLEM as a way to preserve the ancient art form and simultaneously create job opportunities for local artisans when she noticed the traditional wavers were losing their jobs due to the reduction in the local demand for their goods.
She was named in One Time’s Magazine as one of the 100 most influential persons in 2010 and in 2013, she was named glamour magazine’s women of the year.
7 . Imane Ayissi (Cameroon)
Imane Ayissi a Cameroonian dancer, model, performer and fashion designer born to Jean-Baptiste Ayissi Ntsama, a champion boxer,and Julienne Honorine Eyenga Ayissi, the first crowned Miss Cameroon in the year 1969.
Imane Ayissi became interested in fashion as a child in Cameroon, it was there that he made his first garments for his mother and subsequently for one of the largest ateliers in the country. “Imane Ayissi Couture” was founded in 2004, the brand creates luxury ready-to-wear pieces which are distributed across South Africa, Cameroon and Japan. Imane Ayissi presented her collections at AltaRoma in Rome.
Imane Ayissi is the first black African designer to have his designs displayed on the Paris Haute Couture catwalk, he is also the first black african to enter the Paris Fashion elite club.
He is also a regular at African Fashion Weeks (Fima, Arise in Lagos, Nigeria…). His pieces have been worn by High Profile Celebrities like Zendaya and Angela Bassett.
8. Kenneth Ize( Nigerian)
Kenneth Ize is a Nigerian born fashion designer, he was born in Lagos, Nigeria and raised in Vienna, Austria. Kenneth Ize launched his brand in 2013 after graduating from the university of applied arts in Vienna. His designs are a beautiful mix of traditional and modern fabrics. He uses the vibrant colours of the aso-oke fabric and impeccable training to make his designs. Kenneth Ize remains committed to his roots and works with local artisans and weavers in Nigeria to create his designs. Kenneth has received many awards for his work, including being a finalist for the LVMH Prize in 2019 and winning the Arise Fashion Week Award for Designer of the Year. He has been celebrated across major international news and fashion publications, from Vogue to Business of Fashion, with CNN describing Ize as the “name on everyone’s lips” and responsible for “redefining African luxury.”
Kenneth Ize’s designs have been featured in top fashion magazines, including Vogue and Business of Fashion. His designs are worn by many celebrities and fashionistas across the world.
9. Loza Maleombho (Côte d’Ivoire)
Loza Maleombhoa is an Ivorian-American fashion designer, and was born in Brazil in 1985, she was raised in Abidjan and also in Maryland. She started designing at an early age where she made uniforms for herself and made dress designs for her mother and her aunties. In the year 2000 she moved to the united states to finish high school, she graduated in Fine Art and Animation from the University of the Arts of Philadelphia in 2006. She interned for designers Jill Stuart, Yigal Azrouël, and Cynthia Rowley in New York City. Loza launched her self-titled label in 2009. Her label is best described as a fusion of traditional cultures and subcultures, the pieces reflect her experiences in Brazil, New York and West Africa.
Loza’s work has led her to become a celebrity and film favourite; in 2015, Solange tapped the designer as artistic director of a shoot for the singer’s Saint Heron label, while 2016 and 2020 saw her pieces worn by Beyoncé in her ‘Formation’ video and acclaimed visual composition, Black Is King. She has also been featured in Nataal, Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Vogue Italia, and H&M’s Closing The Loop recycling campaign.
10. Swanky Jerry (Nigeria)
Jerimiah Ogbodo popularly known as Swanky Jerry is a Nigerian fashion designer and stylist. Jeremiah was born on July 21, 1988, in Lagos, Nigeria. Jeremiah is well known for his impeccable sense of style. After completing his high school education in Command Secondary School, Oshodi and his tertiary education at the University of Lagos, he went ahead to the School of Style in New York. He launched his brand “Swanky Signatures” in 2012, his designs are bold and daring and always seems to cause people to talk.
He has worked with many prominent celebrities over the years and has established a reputation as one of the greatest stylists in the nation and across Africa. Swanky Jerry has styled several Nigerian personalities, including actors, musicians, and politicians like Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, 2Baba, Tiwa Savage, Banky W, Adekunle Gold, Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Funke Akindele to mention a few.
