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Home · Fashion Week

Black Style Now: African Designers

Black Style Now: African Designers
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Ozwald Boateng of Ghana

You may know this Savile row mainstay from his “House of Boateng” docu-series on The Sundance Channel. The former Givenchy menswear Creative Director is known for his impeccably well-tailored suits. In fact, he’s donned superstars such as Will Smith and Mick Jagger in his clothes.

Black Style Now: African Designers
02
Ozwald Boateng of Ghana

A look at Boateng’s bold hued, razor sharp suits.

Black Style Now: African Designers
03
Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino of Kenya

This Kenyan design duo, Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino are reinterpreting men’s suiting. Debuting their most recent collection at Africa Fashion Week New York this summer, they sent Masai-plaid inspired suits fit for a dandy down the runway, alongside ankara printed harem pants with matching blazers.

Black Style Now: African Designers
04
Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino of Kenya

A bold take on masculinity is seen here with this look by Zeddie and Sidney of Blackbird.

Black Style Now: African Designers
05
Darryl Jagga of South Africa

After cutting his teeth and perfecting his craft for lines such as Chaiken and Calvin Klein, Darryl Jagga has gone on to create his own line 43.26 aggaj. Full of perfect for any occasion dresses; who says diamonds are a girl’s best friend when you have Darryl Jagga’s clothes?

Black Style Now: African Designers
06
Darryl Jagga of South Africa

Ladylike glam is what Jagga’s collections are all about, as seen in this beautiful cocktail dress.

Black Style Now: African Designers
07
David Tlale of South Africa

Imagination and creativity surely never fail David Tlale – not when it comes to his clothing at least. He never fails to come up with one inventive collection after the next, each collection promising to be more inspired and decadent than the last.

Black Style Now: African Designers
08
David Tlale of South Africa

This breathtakingly gorgeous gown shows of Tlale’s expert hand in design.

Black Style Now: African Designers
09
Folake Folarin-Coker of Nigeria

Undeniably one of the biggest and best known designers in Africa, with its own manufacturing facility, Tiffany Amber’s beautiful and luxurious clothes are truly Made In Africa. Folake Folarin-Coker’s clothes represent the epitome of the fashionable, glamorous and well-to-do African woman.

Black Style Now: African Designers
10
Folake Folarin-Coker of Nigeria

Elegant and sophisticated pieces like this are a hallmark of collections designed by Folake Folarin-Coker.

Black Style Now: African Designers
11
Maki Oh of Nigeria

Amaka Osakwe’s line is barely two years old, and already it’s the recipient of much buzz and praise from the Afro-fashionista crowd. It’s quirky and envelope pushing styles make this line wearable – only for those fearless and daring fashionistas!

Black Style Now: African Designers
12
Maki Oh of Nigeria

Sexy, sultry, bold pieces like this exemplify the Maki Oh collection.

Black Style Now: African Designers
13
Aisha Obuobi of Ghana

Color and flair, with a dash of sophistication, are the active sartorial ingredients that make up Christie Brown. Bright and spirited pieces reflect a love of fashion and of country, with its energetic color intermingled with kente and ankara accents.

Black Style Now: African Designers
14
Aisha Obuobi of Ghana

Bold and dynamic plays on colors and textures are a hallmark of Aisha’s work for Christie Brown.

Black Style Now: African Designers
15
Thula Sindi of South Africa

Elegant. Graceful Glamour. Want to look like a lady? Put on Thula Sindi’s clothes. A darling of the South African fashion scene since launching his eponymous line in 2006, the Johannesburg native perfected his craft as the head textile designer at Vlisco, the dutch manufacturing company responsible for most of the trade in African textiles.

Black Style Now: African Designers
16
Thula Sindi of South Africa

Sindi’s pieces have a whimsical and lady-like air about them.

Black Style Now: African Designers
17
Kemmy Solomon of Nigeria

KemKemStudio doesn’t rest on its laurels, relying on signature styling. Instead, each season you can expect a different vibe from each collection. The most recent collection can best be described as equal parts cutesy and retro, with a fantastic play on color!

Black Style Now: African Designers
18
Kemmy Solomon of Nigeria

Bold colors and rich textiles are the hallmark of Kemmy Solomon’s designs.

Black Style Now: African Designers
19
Duro Olowu of Nigeria

Our very stylish First Lady, Michelle Obama is a fan of Mr. Olowu and for good reason. She’s been photographed numerous times wearing his signature prints all over the world. Olowu has long been a mainstay of

Black Style Now: African Designers
20
Duro Olowu of Nigeria

A look from Olowu’s latest collection shows his love of bold prints and love of sophisticated, figure hugging shapes.

Black Style Now: African Designers
21
Lisa Folawiyo of Nigeria

Designer Lisa Folawiyo, showing at the ARISE MADE IN AFRICA COLLECTIVE at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, seamlessly blends the traditional African ankara fabric with colorful prints and textures, into unique, modern silhouettes. The result is striking frocks that are fancy, but vibrant and lively enough to still be fun.

Black Style Now: African Designers
22
Lisa Folawiyo of Nigeria

Chic, sophisticated looks like this exemplify the Jewel by Lisa Collection.

Black Style Now: African Designers
23
Mimi Plange of Ghana

Pure luxury is this designer’s aesthetic and she draws on unique points of view for inspiration. From the scarrification rituals of idigenous people, to haute safaris, Plange’s attention to detail is always immaculate and superior. We look forward to her upcoming collaboration with Manolo Blahnik!

Black Style Now: African Designers
24
Mimi Plange of Ghana

A look at one of Mimi’s intricate and gorgeously designed gowns.

Black Style Now: African Designers
25
Tsemaye Binite of Nigeria

This young Nigerian designer, showing at the ARISE MADE IN AFRICA COLLECTIVE at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York, is the king of sleek. He can pull off slinky and sinewy silhouettes with the best of them, and still flatter a woman’s body. Not just a one-trick designer, he can pull off equally bold looks with just as much ease. He will be making his New York Fashion Week debut as part of Arise Magazine’s Made in Africa runway show.

Black Style Now: African Designers
26
Tsemaye Binite of Nigeria

Tsemaye’s imprint is all about sultry subtlety, and sophistication.

Black Style Now: African Designers
27
Deola Sagoe of Nigeria

There is hardly a rival to be had for the designs of Deola Sagoe, If you ask us. One of the names synonymous with African fashion, she doesn’t just makes clothes, she creates wearable works of art. Hardly over-the-top, Sagoe’s exceptional clothes unerringly hits the mark at sensational, but never a catastrophe.

Black Style Now: African Designers
28
Deola Sagoe of Nigeria

Couture coquette is how we describe Sagoe’s flirty, feminine, yet strongly structured pieces!

Black Style Now: African Designers
29
Idyll and Ayaan Mohallim of Somalia

This line’s moniker literally translates to “twin” in the native Somalian tongue of the twin talents behind this collection. Offering a double dose of style with their blend of wordly, earthy, sometimes retro-leaning designs, Idyl and Ayaan Mohallim are soon-to-be fashion superstars who already have an Oprah appearance and a CNN profile under their belt.

Black Style Now: African Designers
30
Idyll and Ayaan Mohallim of Somalia

Soft shapes and feminine colors are the hallmark of pieces by the ladies behind Mataano.

Black Style Now: African Designers
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