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African Fashion in the city- Author; Kelechizuvaa- Wikimedia
10 African Fashion Brands We should all be Buying
Whenever you think of Africa in terms of fashion, I’m sure all sorts of bright colours and very unique designs come to mind. African fashion is just beautiful! There is no other word for it. What is even more interesting, is the diversity of it all. East Africans, West Africans, South Africans, North Africans and even central Africans all have very different fashion senses from one another. The diversification of it all is just really impressive because, at the end of the day, the different fashion designs among Africans from different regions are what bring out the creativity, beauty and talent behind all these designs.
Here is therefore a list of all the African brands you should definitely try out
1. Ajabeng Ghana
African Fashion- Author; Metudon- Wikimedia
Ajabeng Ghana is an ethical fashion brand that was founded in 2018 by a guy known as Travis Obeng-Caster. This brand’s regular ethos follows Afro-minimalism and the creation of clothes that are just easy and comfortable to wear. Ajabeng Ghana strives to do well and cater to people who associate wholly with minimalism, African arts, and culture. In the founder’s own description of One Africa on what Ajabeng is all about, “Ajabeng is a Ghanaian unisex brand birthed at the crossroads of minimalism and contemporary African art and culture. We use these two seemingly unrelated themes to create an aesthetic that conveys both the purity of minimalism and the vibrancy of African culture. We experiment with both feminine and masculine design elements to create an aesthetic that is as experimental as it is conservative.”
practical information:
Website: https://ajabeng.com/
2. Hamaji Studio
A Kenyan model during the East African jua kali exhibition fashion show in Nairobi- Author; DEMOSH- Wikimedia
Hamaji Studio is a brand that is inspired by the everyday people, charm and nature of East Africans. This Kenya-based fashion brand which means nomad in local Swahili was founded by Louise Sommerlatte in 2017. It has since grown to be one of the continent’s most sought-after ethical brands. “Hamaji is a brand created around preserving ancient textile traditions and nomadic handcrafts. It’s a narrative of different stories and threads interwoven together to give clothing that tells a story and supports local craftspeople. We only use natural fibres on our textiles and natural ingredients on our dyes.” Sommerlatte explained, during her interview with OkayAfrica.
practical information:
website: https://www.hamajistudio.com/
3. Nkwo
Nigerian fashion- Author; Fhadekhemmy- Wikimedia
“We are mindful of the harmful impact that running a fashion business has on the planet and on the people.” This is what Nkwo as a fashion brand is all about. Nkwo is a Nigerian sustainable brand that was founded by a veteran fashion designer known as Nkwo Onwuka, in 2007. Nkwo is known for resource recovery and transformation of material waste into reusable products. “We use innovation as a tool to guide us as we work our way towards total zero waste garment production,” Onwuka explained, “Our methods of waste reduction pay homage to Africa’s rich textile craft tradition and so it is a means of promoting our culture and heritage in a way that also respects the environment and is relevant to the world we live in today.”
practical information:
WEbsite: https://www.nkwo.design/
4. Margaux Wong (Burundi)
Burundian jewellery ornamnet- Author; Ji-Elle- Wikimedia
Founded by Margaux Rosita, Margaux Wong is another sustainable fashion brand that is purely African. Although its niche is in jewellery, this jewellery brand based in Burundi since 2002 has continued to use materials such as cow horns, brass, and other locally sourced sustainable materials in order to innovative accessory designs. “The Margaux Wong is an experimentation of my lifelong experience on this earth. It showcases the beauty and opulence of something that is beautifully handmade. I love a timeless piece of jewellery, and it’s what I’m trying to share with the world. We basically showcase artistry, longevity, timelessness, and a new perspective on luxury.” These are statements from Rosita that summarize what Margaux really believes in as a brand.
practical information:
website: https://www.margauxwong.com/
5. Shekudo
Efik art culture Nigeria- Author; Ugboaja Samuelv- Wikimedia
Founded and refocused by Nigerian-Australian Akudo Iheakanwa in 2017, Shekudo has now become a household name for artisanal crafts and accessories in the African continent. It has managed to become a brand that mashes up culture, craftsmanship, heritage, sustainability and empowerment. “We try to showcase our local traditions and techniques through our fabrics and local resources like metals, leather, glass and bronze. We utilize what we can from our local environment in our designs and create products that can be appreciated not just locally, but across the world.” Iheakanwa has explained in an attempt to let the world know what Shekudo’s mindset is.
practical information:
website: https://www.shekudo.com/
6. SOLEREBELS
SoleRebels CEO Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu – Author; NdaniTV- Wikimedia
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu started this Ethiopian footwear brand known as soleRebels, in 2005. Alemu started Solerebels as a means of empowering her community and country. It has become such a successful brand that it is widely recognized as the world’s first World Fair Trade Federation(WFTO) and FAIR TRADE-certified footwear company. Their products are 100% handcrafted by Ethiopian artisans thus making it an African gem that is quite appreciated and embraced.
practical information:
Website: https://www.solerebels.com/
7. Fruche
A Nigerian Fashion Designer- Author; Amos Usulogbo- Wikimedia
By being able to mix traditional Nigerian culture and technique with contemporary designs, Fruché has managed to create a luxuriously and almost cosmopolitan narrative with each of their product. The founder, Frank Aghuno, started the Fruche brand in 2014 and has continually used each of his new collections to experiment with the past, the present, and the future of Nigerian fashion.
One of the popular masterpieces in the Fruché roster is the Osagie Shirt Dress, a contemporary take on the classic white button-down shirt typically featuring asymmetrical tailoring mixed up with chic, feminine drapery. It is actually an eye-catching, versatile statement piece that will easily complement many of those favourite pieces you have in your closet. An even more interesting fact, it can be worn on its own as a dress. Pretty cool, right?
practical information:
Website: http://www.fruche.com.au/home/
8. Selfi
South African traditional wedding- Author; Lindamatsolo- Wikimedia
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Selfi produces ‘ready to go’ clothing, putting great emphasis on sustainability for the modern woman. Having its name originating from the word ‘self,’ the brand features details that are drawn from South Africa’s culture, history, and identity. Their handcrafted ramie linen, with lightweight Stone Oval Sleeve Jumpsuit, is perfect for summer. This very chic piece features an elastic waistband for a comfortable fit, and the cutout and rounded sleeves will definitely give you room to feel the summer breeze on a warm day.
Pair that jumpsuit with retro sneakers for a sporty day look or open-toe heels to dress it up and you will be good to go. You can do a multipurpose kind of look with this one and that is what makes it interesting.
practical information:
Website: https://www.selfi.co.za/
9. Kente Gentlemen
Cultural Fashion or Adornment from Ivory Coast- Author; Papischou- Wikimedia
Despite the brand name, this Côte d’Ivoire–based brand is not just for men. Its unisex designs are typically made to defy the expected norms of fashion. Each piece of Kente Gentlemen is fitted, cut, and sewn with materials from Africa while employing the rich textile heritage and craftsmanship seen across the continent. Established in 2017, this Ivorian brand strives to be a clothing line solely dedicated to offering edgy yet elegant products tailored to contemporary and unique designs at the same time. The signature Baba and Soke Suit, a blue-and-white pinstripe two-piece, is handmade in Abidjan and exemplifies the elegance and craftsmanship of the Kente Gentlemen brand.
practical information:
Website: https://kentegentlemen.com/
10. Maliko
Wedge heels- Author;Wicker Paradise- Wikimedia
Maliko is a shoe brand in Nigeria that uses handcrafted techniques of production. “With Maliko, we’re exploring different artisanal techniques that we can find in the continent,” Ebuka Omaliko, the founder of this Nigerian footwear brand, explained to. He further elaborated, “Our shoes are made in small batches. They’re ethically made. We focus duly on fair wages and ensure that people get the value of what they do.” The brand brings about uniqueness in every woman who chooses its products. Its affordability and aesthetic value has really made the Maliko brand hit Nigeria’s market and be successful also.
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