The UNESCO report highlights that the popularity of “Made in Africa” products has surged, fueled by the rapid expansion of African e-commerce platforms. These platforms grew from 13% in 2017 to 28% in 2021, significantly boosting Africa’s fashion sector and attracting both local and international customers. However, African designers—like their Black counterparts in the diaspora—continue to face challenges such as limited access to capital, inadequate infrastructure and training, difficulty sourcing quality materials at affordable prices, and insufficient intellectual property protection.
Despite these obstacles, African designers remain determined to carve out their place in the global fashion industry, showcasing their vibrant cultures through innovative designs. Below, we spotlight 11 designers from across the continent who are making waves in fashion.
Maison Kebe | Senegal
Senegalese model-turned-designer Cheikh Kébé launched Maison Kebe in 2020 as an “Afro Diasporic” luxury fashion brand that highlights Senegalese heritage and craftsmanship. His collections feature vibrant silks, tie-dye prints, and tailored linen pieces, all crafted with a minimalist yet sophisticated aesthetic.
Izubaa | Rwanda
Founded in 2021 by Rwandan stylist and designer Elodie Fromenteau, Izubaa bridges Rwanda’s rich history with contemporary fashion. The brand’s latest collection, Ndabaga, symbolizes the resilience and fighting spirit of Rwandan women. It blends luxury suiting, vibrant traditional prints, and streetwear aesthetics, creating a striking balance between heritage and modernity.
Diarrablu | Senegal
Senegalese designer Diarra Bousso established Diarrablu in 2015, infusing her passion for mathematics, art, and her cultural heritage into her designs. The brand champions sustainability by producing garments only upon order in its Dakar-based factory. The latest collection, Jigeen (meaning “woman” in Wolof), showcases bold prints and intricate artisanal lace, crafted from recycled materials.
OMÔL | Cameroon
Founded in 2020 by Cameroonian designer Nathalie Chebou Moth, OMÔL is a brand dedicated to sustainable fashion and women’s empowerment. The label incorporates upcycled fabrics and collaborates with local artisans to create unique, bold-print dresses, structured suits, and textured garments. Recently, the brand expanded to include a bridal collection and a range of elegant accessories.
Kìléntár | Nigeria & UK
British-Nigerian designer Michelle Adepoju launched Kìléntár in 2020, drawing inspiration from her Yoruba roots and West African artistic traditions. Her Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Out of This World, pays homage to the spiritual significance of water and the West African water goddess, Mami Wata. The collection features spiral gold earrings, cowrie-beaded tops, ruched skirts, and dresses adorned with multicolored scales.
Pepper Row | Nigeria
Founded by Nigerian designer Omafume Niemogha, Pepper Row is a Neo-luxury brand blending sustainability with avant-garde design. Inspired by Lagos’ vibrant energy, the brand incorporates batik dyes, bold prints, and unconventional silhouettes. Its Spring/Summer 2024 collection, Space Ship, SS Space Ship I Love You, debuted at Lagos Fashion Week, featuring pastel tones, upcycled materials, and African Neolithic-inspired abstract designs.
Angela Brito | Cape Verde
Cape Verdean designer Angela Brito, now based in Brazil, launched her eponymous brand in 2014. Her collections explore the intersection of tradition and modernity, often incorporating pánu di téra, a traditional Cape Verdean fabric symbolizing national unity. Her latest collection, Romaria, reflects her ongoing exploration of heritage through a contemporary lens.
LFJ Official | Nigeria
Nigerian designer Princess Juliet Olanipekun, the creative force behind LFJ Official, is known for transforming wearable art into high fashion. Her signature whimsical pleating technique takes center stage in her latest collection, Under Sea, which debuted at NYFW. The collection features vibrant, sculptural pleated dresses that mimic the movement of ocean waves.
Freemind US | Ivory Coast
Ivorian designer Hamed Ciss launched Freemind US in 2014 as a creative platform to foster self-expression and unity. His latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection, La Pluie (French for “The Rain”), tells the story of his journey in the fashion world. The collection blends sportswear with avant-garde elements, featuring intricate knitwear and unique embellishments.
Mazelle | Nigeria
Founded by Nigerian designer Mariam Afolabi, Mazelle blends West African, Victorian, and contemporary influences. Her latest collection, Marie In The City, draws inspiration from Marie Antoinette’s regal style, featuring puffy sleeves, ruched details, corsetry, and pearl embellishments, all reimagined through an African fashion lens.
Djainin | Ivory Coast
Ivorian designers Gaston Ouedraogo and Jean Yves Yebieyin founded Djainin in 2022, merging African heritage with global streetwear influences. Their debut collection featured denim pieces adorned with portraits of Côte d’Ivoire’s former First Lady, Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny. Their latest collection further explores Akan culture, incorporating motifs of the sawfish and imagery of traditionally dressed Akan people.
