African Fashion Designers: The Ultimate Style Guide

African fashion is shockingly beautiful. If you adore styles that makes you stand out, you can’t do better than African fashion. But, how much do you know about these beautiful styles?

Not much? This guide will completely change that.

In this guide, I will be taking you behind some of the most vibrant African inspired fashion designers from around the world. For each of our featured designer, we will explore briefly what defines their style and more importantly, what makes them stand from any other designers (and why you must wear their styles).

After going through this guide, you will completely understand what defines African fashion, more so, I want to draw you into each designers world.

A little confession first, this is not a list of all African inspired fashion designers. I did however select a good choice of designers that covers the diversity of African fashion. Trust me, you will love these designers.

Let’s get started.

by Anna Lukindo | London, UK

Anna has the signature aesthetics of ropes, cords, and yarn. As though that’s not enough, Anna Luks works principally with organic fabrics that are a mix of bold color pallets and prints.

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by Adama Amanda Ndiaye | Paris, FR & Dakar, SG

Adama Paris is a label transfused with the diversity of it’s designer. Adama is not only a designer, but also runs the fantastic Black Fashion Week. You will find it very difficult not to fall in love with Adama subtle mix of prints ‘” yes, and those colors too!

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by Latifat Ibajinmi and Moriamo Johnson | Philadalphia, US

It’s easy to see the West African influence in Aso Damisi’s designs. The name of their label literally translates to ‘Clothing for Prosperity’, and that shows in their clothing.

Aso Damisi is all about West African influenced [textile] designs, very colorfulness, vibrant and sure to bring out the femininity in any woman.

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by Asake Ogoro | London, UK & Lagos, NG

In addition to Asake’s African influence, this label also draws inspiration from European classic designs. The label focuses mostly on evening, bridal and red carpet wears, something for everyday woman.

If you don’t care for ready-to-wear, Asake is still to your rescue, they take your individuality a bit further with their beautiful made-to-measure service.

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by Adama Kai | Paris, FR

For the professional woman, Aschobi aims to give you unique individuality that allows you to celebrate the clothing you wear. A label heavily influenced by the designer’s Sierra Leonean origin and her training from all the big power fashion houses around the world (New York, London and Paris).

The label is sure to bring out the authentic straight-from-Africa wearable design to you.

by Seidnaly Sidhamed Alphadi | New York, US

Alphadi designs are inspired by Africa’s varying cultures through apparels like gowns, tops, jeans, sportswear, and jewelries.

The label’s fashion styles is a combination of African and Western couture which gives their design that exotic look.

by Aya Aidoo-Morisson | Accra, GH

This label will not settle for the traditional convention ‘” they design pieces that will carry you from day to night, effortless. This label uses a radical combination of bold color that will certainly push your individualism a lot further.

If you want to remain constantly fashionable with a moderately priced luxury fashion, this is the label for you.

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by Yodit Eklund | Addis Abba, ET, J’burg, SA & Abidjan, CI

If you’re thinking African Inspired designers are just about the clothing, you will be wrong.

At least this label will convince you otherwise. They work solely with African-Inspired prints. They source inspiration and style from Africa, while the patterns are printed in Italy.

You’re will be ready to hit the beach with your piece of Africa.

by Michelle Olupona | New York, US

When you’re ready to get your closet infused with a lot of West African influenced tie-and-dye, this label will blow your mind. Using traditional Yoruba dyeing techniques, they produce creative and contemporary designs.

There is surely a distinct spark that this label adds to your closet.

Details with vibrant colors and strong geometric patterns.

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by Xaverie Bakemhe | London, UK

Inspired from the designer’s Cameroonian roots, each clothing from this label modernizes the traditional heritage patterns. In addition, materials are sourced from the designers country capital (Yaounda).

This label assures that you’re not only wearing contemporary African styles, you’re also wearing authentic African.

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by Adebimpe Adebambo | Lagos, NG

When you are ready to have some fun, and stand out beautifully, this is your label. This is Simply stylish and fun, with heavy African infused textiles.

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by Naana Tennachie Yankey | Montreal, CA

Influenced by European flare, this label is luxury that brings out the best in your body. They want you to fill very special with finely crafted haute-couture.

This label is daring and playful clothing infused with European flare.

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by Doreen Mashika | Zanzibar, TZ

Every piece of this label is inspiration straight from the beauty and culture of Tanzania. You can’t miss the traditional patterns hand-crafted embellishments given a nice modern twist.

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by Duro Oluwu | London, UK

One of the household names in African-inspired fashion, a label synonymous with vibrant mix of African, seventies tailoring and unconventional color combination. You simply cannot go wrong with some of Duro’s creation.

You will want to share one of America’s first Lady (Michelle Obama) favorite African designer.

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by Ogwa and Ofure | Abuja, NG

This label effectively fuses African ethnicity with contemporary styles taking cues from their Nigerian origins.

We sum this up as wearable Nigerian-influenced styles

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by Erijo Amos Tariff | Lagos, NG

For all the chic in you, this label will force it out.

Bright colored designs that will make any woman feel at home ‘” I think you will find a bit of yourself in the pieces from this label.

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by Farai Simoyi | New York, US

Lending from her background in denim design, Farai designs connect with you individually. It’s a label that wants to bring the African sense of relationship to you with it’s use of solid colors and bold geometry.

This will sure please even your most discriminating self.

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by Gloria Wavamunno | Kampala, UG

Culture, sensuality and sophisticated edginess is what this label is about. The label believes strongly that their clothing should bring out more of you (and browsing through their collection below that is hard to argue) ‘” whatever you are, they don’t want to dictate you.

Now, that’s taking uniqueness and individuality seriously!

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by Frank Osodi | Lagos, NG

If there is anything unique about an African and/or Black women, it’s our curves. This label is unashamed to design and promote this feature. They mostly specialize is bridals and red carpet dresses. This is the collection you want for those special occasions.

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by Bukola Are | Lagos, NG

You want your styles to seem effortless, feminine and versatile, this is all this label is about .

You can’t miss the fine craftsmanship from the fabric choice to every fully constructed piece or their accessories.

With styling, this label leaves nothing to chance.

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by Liz Ogumbo-Regisford | Johannesburg, SA

You won’t have to worry about chasing fashion seasons with this label, every piece is continually trend and leading. As the label continues to bang into every design-conscious woman, it’s about your elegance and image.

Often basing their creations on Saris, Lesos (Khanga) and Kitenge African print.

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by Ituen Basi | Lagos, NG

Sometimes, you might feel that Ankara is used to death in African fashion designs, not with this label. They give Ankara a distinct interpretation.

In every of their piece, you will find a stylist combination of elegance and leading aesthetic.

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by Ines Ngono Kede | Lyon, FR

A label based in France that fuses Western and African cultures, brilliant. You will notice their use of highlighted wax that makes their dresses have originality and that ‘wow’ factor!

by Lisa Folawiyo | Lagos, NG

From inception to construction, every garment of this label is thoughtfully crafted. They have transformed the ‘Ankara’ into a luxury brand (they even do their own custom prints) ‘” that is truly something to covet!

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by Janet Opoku | UK

Drawing inspiration from the 50s and 60s, this label creates African-Inspired retro designs for the modern woman. This is for the women who is fashion conscious, and values individuality and elegance.

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by Karim Tassi | Casablanca, MC

Bring in North African exotic designs, mix a bit of world culture and you have this label. You will particularly love their attention to detail and subtle design touches.

by Titi Ademola | Accra, GH

Purely ethnic clothing, merging vibrant color, with easy wearability that are not just fun, but also playful.

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by Ann Mcreath | Nairobi, KY

Creative Kenyans can rejoice as founder Ann Mcreath sets out to promote the economy through her locally made fashion line with inputs from different community women’s group.

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by Yemi Kosibah | London, UK

As a wedding designer, this designer takes the high-skilled task of integrating couture bridal with traditional African design. Kosibah’s use of corsets and bonded bodices recreates the beautiful and elegant hourglass figure that flatter every woman.

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by Hebret Lakew & Enid Lanez | Nairobi, KY

Inspiration for this designer’s collections draws from the continent’s rich cultural lifestyles. They integrate African prints, silks, jerseys, cotton, and linens to create collections with global appeal.

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by Korto Momolu | Arkansas, USA

This designer shot to popularity while placing as runner-up on season 5 of Project Runway. High color and diversity in style/presentation were fan favorites.

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by Chigozie ‘Chi Chi’ Anaele | Houston, USA

Definition, style, and couture are the key ingredients to this designer’s creations. It shows happiness and versatility through various vibrant colors.

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by Kemmy Solomon | Lagos, NG

This label features a dynamic infusion of lace and the traditional aso oke fabric. Now you should be part of Kemmy’s story.

by Alice Heusser & Olivia Kennawa | South Africa

This designer’s clothing is for by a charity they created named SOKO, which is a globally recognized eco and ethical clothing production facility that supports local talent.

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by Lanre DaSilva-Ajayi | Lagos, NG

Clothing is not just about aesthetics, this label takes it a lot further by infusing it with art and history (they really will take you back in time, not matter your age). Pieces ranging from jackets, to cocktail dresses, evening gowns and red carpet wears.

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by Liya Kebede | New York, US & Addis Ababa, ET

When you want to bloom, literally, this label comes to your service. Yes, ‘LemLem’ translates to ‘to bloom’ in Amharic.

Using very traditional weaving techniques, they put a modern touch to the aged styles of Ethiopian hand-weaving and embroidery ‘” this label will surely light up your closet.

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by Lola Faturoti | New York, US

In the styles of Nina Simone, Betty Davis, and Cate Blanchett, this Lola has crafted her voice though African history and its roots. You can’t miss the silks, the glowing combinations and the allure this collection will bring you.

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by Loza MalÃ©ombho | New York, US

Traditional sub-cultures and a delicate fusion of contemporary fashion is what this label embodies, ready to share that world with you through their collections.

They pull you into their world with trendy solid colors, it’s irresistible.

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by Anisa Mpungwe | Johannesburg, SA

When you’re serious about on making a fashion statement, this label’s elegant prints, and design sophistication will steal your heart.

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by Funmilayo DÃ©ri | London, UK

This luxury womenswear would definitely enhance your curves. This label, influenced by the Funlayo’s African cultural experiences and exposure even pushes the uniqueness of the pieces further.

Every piece is hand crafted with care and darling attention to every detail. You will be sure that the piece you are getting is truly one of a kind.

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by Maame Baryeh | London, UK

Blending your fashion in with everyone is death ‘” you should be bold and unapologetic! That’s this label’s dogma. It’s use of texture and color will definitely make sure you’re never hiding.

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by Naana Brocks | New York, US

With strong use of African textile and creative patterns, this label will safely carry you through the story of the continent’s culture.

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by Nike Akinola | London, UK

You won’t do wrong dying for this label’s beautiful prints and intricate laces, they are modern as much as being traditional.

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by Odio Oseni | Lagos, NG

As a professional, you want clothing that is elegant, graceful and will last you through your hectic day, this is where this label comes in.

Designed with the modern busy women on mind, they ensure you don’t sacrifice work for you unique style.

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by Molly Keogh and Maryanne Mathias | Califonia, US & Accra, GH

In the traditional style of hand-batick, hand weaving and complex texture, this label remains simple and elegant even for the most discerning woman. This simplicity is truly beautiful.

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by Isoken Ogiemwonyi | London, UK

Drawing inspiration from tribal influences, this label crafts into their designs modern and edgy details that will highlight your figure.

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by Omer Asim | London, UK

You cannot deny the Ethiopian origin of the laddered cotton that this label has brought to the 21^st century. Blending it with knitted linen and silk, all hand crafted, you are sure to stand out in this label’s fine creation.

by Michele Pouani | Montreal, CA

Mixing good ‘˜ol vintage styles with colorful African print textile, this label draws out your individuality. In their outfits, you will be left with the continually touch of timeless African glamor.

by Funke Ogunde | Lagos, NG

What you will get with this label is simple: A perfect combination of color, texture and creativity; they have care to make sure that all your most important features gets accentuated.

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by Orire Omatsola | Lagos, NG

For the sassy woman, you are not afraid to draw attention to yourself, this label lovely helps you carry out that task.

by Joan Ibuzo | Lagos, NG

You will never go wrong with this label’s use of asymmetrical cuts, simple design that beautifully fuses african and modern prints. These are timeless pieces that are sure to delight.

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by Tsemaye Binitie | London, UK

Effortless style is what this label brings you. Themed in western elegance, the everyday wearability of this design is definitely satisfying.

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by Wambui Mukenyi | Nairobi, KY

There is no point to great fashion if you don’t feel comfortable in it. This label bridges that gap ‘” comfort and fashionable style, neither compromised.