The fashion industry in Africa has grown from an Africa only brand to a world brand. In no particular order, here are our top 10 African fashion brands to look out for.
Maxhosa by Laduma
Maxhosa is a South-African Knit wear brand. The Aztec prints, unique patterns, and amazing texture of the high earned knit-wear are some of the reasons we love Maxhosa. Launched in 2010 by Laduma Ngxokolo, with the aim of creating a modern X-hosa inspired knitwear collection suitable for modern initiates of X-hosa from being an Inkwenkwe (Boy) to a Amakrwala (new man).
Orange Culture by Adebayo Oke Lawal
Everything about this modern, burst of men’s fashion breathes true fashion. from the statement bold colors, to the symbolic print. This classic western silhouette is for men who are explorative, fashion woke, risk takers. The brand was launched in 2011 by Adebayo Lawal and ever since then, the brand has shown no signs of slowing down. The orange culture ‘movement’ is indeed from Nigeria to the World.
Chulapp by Chu Suwannapha
Often referred to as the prince of prints, Thailand born South African fashion designer Chu Suwannapha is the creative director of Chulapp, a brand notorious for it’s “sharp” fashion, bold statement prints and colors. The AW16 collection of the brand “make art not war” is channeled towards celebrating south African Street style.
Lukhanyo Mdingi
Lukhanyo Mdingi is a 25 year old fashion designer, founder and creative director of his self named brand. His AW15 collection was widely accepted by fashion lover and influenceres across Africa. The collection featured heavy knits and Macrame backpacks inspired by ancient Arabic knotting. His SS16 “Taintless” was another ground breaking collection, which is a take on Japanese design and techniques and an astonishing look book that showcased the rainbow nations collaborative scene.
Tokyo James
The Tokyo James brand was birthed in Lagos Nigeria, when creative director and founder of the brand, Tokyo relocated to the fashion/business capital of Africa. After the success of his monthly digital publication Rough, which spread from the UK to Italy, and New-York? The brand is notable for their edgy, perfectly tailored, modern pieces . Suitable for the modern fashion forward, yet traditional man.
Rich Mnisi
Founded in 2014, is a South African based men’s fashion brand. Tailored to suit the extremist yet minimalist and imaginative man.
Laurenceairlines
Laurence Chauvin Buthaud the founder and creative director of the brand describes the men’s wear collection a
“a unity of cultures, drawing contemporary timeless classic silhouettes with deep African roots.”
The name of the brand was gotten from the many travels of Laurence as a child and how he was always on a airplane. Laurence is an indigene of Ivory Coast, but has the head quarters of his brand in Paris.
David Tlale
David Tlale is a high Earned South African Fashion brand. The brand is a “couture that embodies beauty without pretense and shuns harshness. The brand is notable for its youthful yet sophisticated pieces.
DENT de MAN
DENT de MAN is a luxury fashion men’s wear brand, with a unique approach towards classic tailored pieces using quality printed vintage fabrics and ancient printing techniques to tell a story. The brand is founded by Ivorian-British designer Alexis Temomanin. The brand suggests a “distinct lifestyle defined by freedom and quality empowering individuals to dress for themselves.
Tzar studios
Tzar studios is a contemporary menswear brand. Founded in 2013 by Chukwuma Ian Audifferen, a self taught designer. The brand “challenges the conventional approach to menswear creating unique items that embody the purpose of form and functionality.”
Here are top menswear trends we have to let go of before the year runs out.
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