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AFRICAN FASHION DESIGNERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Updated: Oct 12, 2021
These African designers are a powerful force in the fashion industry. They are some of African designers at the top of their game, who have been gracing international catwalks for the past decade.
1. KENNETH IZE
Lagos, Nigeria
Kenneth Ize and Karl Lagerfeld collaborated in 2021 to launch their
Karl Lagerfeld X Kenneth Ize Capsule Collection.
2. THEBE MAGUGU
Johannesburg, South Africa
Thebe Magugu won the coveted LVMH prize for emerging talent, in 2019. He is the first African to be awarded the prize.
3. LISA FOLAWIYO
Lagos, Nigeria
Lisa Folawiyo has showrooms in Nigeria and in New York. She has been featured in Vogue Italia and Elle.
4. LOZA MALEOMBHO
Côte d'Ivoire
Loza Maleombho's most notable impact was dressing Beyonce on one of the scenes in her Black is King musical film.
5. ORANGE CULTURE
Lagos, Nigeria
Orange Culture has been described as a “movement”, more than a clothing line. Having grown up in a culture that supported hyper-masculinity, Adebayo Oke-Lawal felt suppressed. That inspired him to create a whole movement of an unapologetic fluid lifestyle. He believes there is no one way to be a man, and he expresses this with his designs.
6. DURO OLOWU
Nigerian-British
Duro Olowu enjoyed early support from American First Lady Michelle Obama, who frequently wore his designs. Olowu was included in the 2019, 2020, and 2021 edition's of the Powerlist, ranking the 100 most influential Black Britons.
7. TONGORO
Dakar, Senegal
Tongoro has gained international brilliance, with the likes of Beyonce, Naomi Campbell, Alicia Keys, Iman, Burna Boy showing support. Tongoro has been listed amongst Fast Company's 50 most innovative companies for 2020.
