The African fashion scene in 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable. In a year where conversations on sustainability, culture, and innovation have been at the forefront, it’s been inspiring to see these African brands actively taking action and earning global recognition for their efforts. From runways in Lagos to collaborations with international brands, African designers have consistently shown the world that they are a force to be reckoned with. This year, the spotlight has been on collections that celebrate heritage, challenge norms, and bridge the gap between African and Western aesthetics.
African fashion continues to soar, with designers pushing creative boundaries and telling rich, culturally rooted stories through their collections with clear unique directions.
Fashion is a global industry with so much talent from all over the world. However, the industry only sticks to the mainstream markets that contribute to global sales in the industry.
There’s so much we can say about theses fashion markets which have inspired so many references and innovative silhouettes. However, other locations throughout the world have just as much talent and innovation than what we read in high profile media outlets.
In a time where the #BlackLiveMatter movement has been going strong over the past month, we wanted to highlight an underrepresented market in the fashion industry that cultivates the most talent, has lots of innovation, and is the motherland to all black people!
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Africa is known for its tribal heritage that many of its local artisans have preserved over the years to maintain its signature attire that many African natives and African-Americans resonate with. Many African fashion brands and designers create westernized shapes and silhouettes out of these African textiles to give their customers something different and unique. However, the most popular African print textile is the Ankara, which is an African waxed textile produced in mainly in West Africa but distributed globally.
With so much talent, artisanal technique, and rich history - it’s interesting how many African fashion brands haven’t reached mainstream global notoriety in the industry. With a stake in the fashion market and a need for more diversity in fashion, we hope to invest in more black-owned businesses, more specifically in small markets like Africa. In doing our part to raise awareness, we have compiled a list of our favorite African fashion brands.
Africa’s top luxury brands are no longer waiting for recognition - they’re setting standards, shaping narratives, and proving that the future of global luxury has a distinct African signature.
Top African Luxury Brands
Here’s a curated list of top luxury brands in Africa, spanning fashion, hospitality, jewelry, and lifestyle:
- Maxhosa Africa
Country: South Africa
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Founder: Laduma Ngxokolo
Founded by Laduma Ngxokolo, Maxhosa is internationally renowned for its luxurious knitwear rooted in Xhosa culture, worn by global celebrities and featured in high-end fashion shows.
- Royal Mansour Marrakech
Country: Morocco
Founder: King Mohammed VI of Morocco
Commissioned by King Mohammed VI, this hotel is the epitome of ultra-luxury hospitality in Africa, known for its handcrafted design, private riads, and five-star service.
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- Zashadu
Country: Nigeria
Founder: Zainab Ashadu
Zashadu is a sustainable luxury brand crafting handbags and accessories from locally sourced leathers and exotic skins, expertly blending Nigerian heritage with contemporary aesthetics.
- Azza Fahmy
Country: Egypt
Founder: Azza Fahmy
Egypt’s most famous luxury jeweler, Azza Fahmy creates artisanal pieces infused with Arabic calligraphy and cultural symbolism. Worn by A-list celebrities and royalty. Fahmy has been in the jewelry business for more than five decades. She runs her eponymous brand with her daughters, Fatma Ghali, who is the CEO, and Amina Ghali, who is the head designer.
- La Mamounia
Country: Morocco
Founder: Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdallah
Another legendary Moroccan hotel, known for its opulence, celebrity clientele, and status as a top global luxury destination.
- Rich Mnisi
Country: South Africa
Founder: Rich Mnisi
A luxury fashion label known for bold, gender-fluid designs and strong African influences. Mnisi has collaborated with Nike and global style influencers.
- Emmy Kasbit
Country: Nigeria
Founder: Emmanuel Okoro
A premium Nigerian fashion brand famed for using handwoven Akwete fabric to craft tailored, high-fashion pieces. Showcased at Milan Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.
- House of Gozdawa
Country: South Africa
Founder: Agata Karolina
A luxury perfume house using rare African botanicals to create handcrafted, bespoke fragrances-positioning itself as Africa’s niche perfume luxury leader.
- Okhtein
Country: Egypt
Founder: Aya and Mounaz Abdelraouf
A luxury handbag brand blending Egyptian heritage with global fashion aesthetics. Frequently featured in Vogue and worn by the likes of Beyoncé.
- Enda Sportswear
Country: Kenya
Founder: Navalayo Osembo
While more of a luxury performance brand, Enda makes premium running shoes designed and made in Kenya.
Rise Of African Fashion
Spotlight on Specific Brands
Here are some more interesting African fashion brands:
- Andrea Iyamah
Andrea Iyamah owned by Nigerian fashion designer Dumebi Iyamah, is one of the premiere African fashion brands that’s strongly inspired by color, ethnic cultures, nature and design elements that stay true to creating authentic clothing and resort wear with hints of a retro yet contemporary edge in design. With a flare for fashion and the arts, she advanced her tailoring skills and educated herself about fashion which later fuelled the genesis of the A.I. brand at an early age of 17. Although Andrea Iyamah is popularly recognized for its eccentric and unique take on swimwear, using vibrant colours and cuts inspired by an array of African cultures, the brand also specializes in ready-to-wear and custom made special event dresses under its sister brand Andrea Iyamah Bride.
- Orange Culture
Founded by Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Orange Culture is not just a brand but a movement. Since its inception in 2010, the brand has been at the forefront of challenging traditional gender norms through fashion. Orange Culture’s 2024 Spring/Summer collection, The Memory and Ongoing of Home delves into themes of urban migration and nostalgia. With handmade flower appliqués, hand-beaded pieces, and prints inspired by childhood memories, Oke-Lawal continues to use fashion to tell deeply personal and societal stories.
- Labrum London
Founded by Foday Dumbuya, Labrum London is a menswear brand that tells the untold stories of West Africa. With a design philosophy that fuses British tailoring with West African influences, Labrum London continues to push boundaries. 2024 was a groundbreaking year for the brand, with its collaboration with Arsenal and Adidas to host a first-of-its-kind runway show at Emirates Stadium. This year’s collection continues to bridge cultures while staying true to its utilitarian yet idiosyncratic style.
- Chez Nous
Founded by Camélia Barbachi, Chez Nous is a minimalist, sustainable fashion label reflecting her Franco-Tunisian heritage. After working with Onitsuka Tiger, Barbachi launched Chez Nous in 2021, focusing on transparency and avoiding greenwashing. Her designs are versatile, blending casual elegance with both traditional and modern elements.
- Imane Ayissi
Imane Ayissi, a Cameroonian-born designer, bridges African traditions with Parisian haute couture, establishing himself as a trailblazer in fashion. Raised in a family of artists, he started as a dancer before transitioning to fashion, modelling for luxury brands like Dior and Valentino. His designs feature African materials like hand-dyed Obom bark cloth and Faso Dan Fani cotton, blending cultural influences from Africa, the West, and Asia. His Fall/Winter 2024 Couture collection showcased intricate craftsmanship, including raffia fringes and floral prints.
- Ugo Monye
Ugo Monye is a luxury fashion brand founded by Ugochukwu Monye, where African heritage combines nicely with contemporary high fashion. Known for exquisite craftsmanship, Monye’s designs celebrate African culture and unity. His 2024 collection, “Ife Aso Anyi”, meaning “What We Like,” fuses tradition with modernity, featuring pieces like Unity, which draws on Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. The collection was showcased at Lagos Fashion Week 2024, with a surprise runway appearance by superstar Davido.
- Kente Gentleman
Founded in 2017 by Aristide Loua in Abidjan, Kente Gentleman is a clothing brand that champions ethical production and sustainability. The brand collaborates with local artisans to design contemporary garments using traditional handwoven textiles, particularly kente. Kente Gentleman’s approach is rooted in the belief that African fashion should be diverse and evolving, reflecting various cultures and craftsmanship.
- Nao Serati
Launched in 2014 by Neo Serati Mofammere in Johannesburg, Nao Serati is an athleisure brand that challenges conventional norms around gender, sexuality, and African heritage. The brand merges art, fashion, and South African youth culture in bold, conceptual ways. Known for fluid designs that make high fashion accessible, Nao Serati has been featured in Marie Claire and collaborated with global brands like Reebok.
- Ajabeng
Launched in 2020 by Ghanaian designer Travis Obeng-Casper, Ajabeng mixes traditional Ghanaian textiles with modern design sensibilities, creating a unique aesthetic that celebrates both masculinity and femininity. The brand is committed to sustainability, using biodegradable materials and ensuring fair employment bypractices while offering opportunities for young African creatives. Ajabeng made a powerful debut at Arise Fashion Week in 2020 and quickly gained recognition as one of the top African brands, earning a spot in the “30 under 30” showcase. With collaborations featuring influential African creatives like Daniel Obasi and Stephen Tayo, Ajabeng’s designs have been worn by stars like Amaarae and Mayra Andrade.
- Tongoro
Founded in 2016 by Sarah Diouf in Dakar, Senegal, Tongoro has become a symbol of African luxury and craftsmanship, gaining international acclaim after Beyoncé wore the brand in 2018. With a focus on showcasing African culture, Diouf’s designs celebrate the continent’s rich heritage while modernising traditional African textiles. By working with local artisans and sourcing materials on the continent, Tongoro is committed to promoting sustainable manufacturing and fostering economic development in West Africa. The brand’s bold, statement-making pieces, which include oversized silhouettes and graphic prints inspired by African photography, have been worn by celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Alicia Keys.
- Meji Meji
Founded by Tolu Oye in 2020, Meji Meji celebrates Nigerian heritage with designs that empower women and tell stories of resilience and beauty. Inspired by African-American and West African culture, Oye’s collections, like the Na Me Cause Am t-shirt, are community-driven and emphasise personal expression. Known for intentional creative direction and cultural references, Meji Meji continues to connect deeply with its audience, such as with the 2024 Sisi Ologe top, which highlights African beauty standards.
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