VENTURES AFRICA – The recent buzz about the African Fashion Industry is
very evident in the works of talented African fashion designers, models,
stylists, editors, bloggers and fashion entrepreneurs. After intensive
research and survey, I compiled a list of top African Fashion Designers
making a name for themselves and at the same time, putting Africa on the
global fashion map. These designers (both on the continent and
Internationally based) are Fashion visionaries, entrepreneurs and have a
vision to revolutionize the African Fashion Industry.
DURO OLOWU (NIGERIA)
The Nigerian-born, lawyer turned fashion designer has climbed the ladder
into the top fashion leagues since he arrived the London fashion scene
in 2004. Known by many as the Father of everything ‘Prints’, Duro Olowu
is well known for his use of mixed vintage prints, bright colors and
well polished cuts. His sharp cuts and prints, give his designs that
unique glam that has attracted style icon and first lady, Michelle
Obama. Duro Olowu has indeed carved a niche for himself by winning
numerous awards, such as the 2005 ‘Designer of the Year’ British Fashion
Awards. This designer extraordinaire has made a remarkable impression
that has attracted other distinguished clients like Uma Thurman and
Linda Evangelista among other renowned clients.
KORTO MOMOLU (LIBERIA)
After she left Liberiain 1990 due to the civil war, she settled in
Canada where she studied fashion design at the L’Academies des Couturiers
Design Institute in Ottawa, Ontario. She moved to USAwhere she
continues her education in the renowned ParsonSchoolof design. She
continued to follow her passion and won a place on the 5th season
of the prestigious Project Runway show. She emerged as 1st runner up of
the show where she presented her vibrant and colorful Spring 2009
collection during New York Fashion Week; she was highlighted as top 5
designers to watch. After Project Runway show, November 13th was
named-Korto Momolu Day inLittle Rock,Arkansas where she currently lives.
Korto has been featured in Essence magazine, LA Times, Ladybrille.com,
InStyle.com among others. She has also appeared on Monique show, Wendy
Williams show, CNN International African Voices, My Black is Beautiful ,
just to mention a few. Indeed, Korto is a true inspiration to many
entrepreneurs and remains hardworking and dedicated to her work.
JEWEL BY LISA (NIGERIA)
Starting with embellished Ankara skirts in 2005, Lisa Folawiyo has successfully produced and expanded her brand-Jewel by Lisa into
a wide range of clothes and jeweled accessories. Her creative ability
to revolutionize Ankara fabric into colorful prints and textures
embellished with Swarovski crystals, results in vibrant and fun designs.
Lisa’s world class designs have been worn by African and international
celebrities including Genevieve Nnaji, Solange Knowles, Lala Vasquez,
Catt Sadler of E! News; and has been a consistent magnet for
international media such as, BBC, Essence Magazine, Marie Claire amongst
others. She was one of the few selected to showcase at the 2011 ARISE
Made in Africa Collective at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York in
and the winner of the African Fashion International Designer Award in
the same year.
DAVID TLALE (SOUTH AFRICA)
His designs are daring, bold and dramatic. The South African David Tlale
is an international design force with pieces that are unpredictable and
exceed expectations. He continues to show his diversity,
by elaborating on his creativity, thereby producing inventive
collections that are memorable and wearable. After winning the Elle
talent competition and awarded the Best new designer of the year 2003,
he exhibited his unique designs on international platforms such as,
Paris Fashion Week, De Beers Shining light collection, Arise Fashion
week and many more.
DEOLA SAGOE (NIGERIA)
Among a sea of other labels, Deola Sagoe creates wearable works of art
that give women a unique vision. She is indeed a fashion visionary who
has gained international fame for her haute couture pieces. She has been
honored with many accolades over the years. In 2000, she received the
Best African Designer award to represent African Fashion designers in
NewYork fashion week. She was appointed as UN Designer for UN World Food
Programme: CatWalk the world- Fashion for food. Deola has participated
in major fashion shows alongside Donna Karen, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and
Calvin Klein. Her designs have been donned by celebrities like Naomi
Campbell and Anika Nina Rose; and has also attracted international media
such as CNN and Essence magazine. Indeed she continues to reinvent the
fashion wheel while putting African Fashion on the forefront.
KOFI ANSAH (GHANA)
Kofi Ansah is a London based Ghanaian fashion designer. Ansah studied
design at Chelseain theUnited Kingdoma nd graduated with first class
honors. His vibrant, creative and edgy collections have helped pushed
African Fashion to glorious heights. He has been a major player in the
Ghanian fashion industry being founder and past president of the
Federation of African Designers, fabric design for theGhana@50 Golden
Jubilee Celebrations as well as costume design for the CAN 2008 African
Cup of Nations. He is one of the designers chosen to sell his artful
collections on one of the esteemed e-commerce sites- Yoox.com.
LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI (LDA) (NIGERIA)
In just seven years of launching, her brand has gained strong
international presence. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi produces high class
sophisticated clothing for the elegant woman. She combines traditional
fabrics, optical prints with a touch of different patterns to her
designs. Her label has been the favorite of many celebrities, fashion
lovers and top media houses. With a consistent ritual of showcasing six
collections every year, LDA has showcased both locally and
internationally for shows including ARISE, New York Couture Fashion Week
and Mercedez Benz Fashion Week. She has been featured in various
magazines such as Vogue Black, WWD, Essence.com, Reuters UK, Fashion
Bomb and Centric/BET.
MATAANO (SOMALIA)
After escaping the civil war inSomalia, the twin sisters relocated
toWashingtonDC. Ayaan and Idyl embarked upon their career in the fashion
industry by creating a multicultural fashion label-Mataano (which means
twins inSomalia) which has gained global recognition form distinguished
fashion achievers. Their premier collection debuted in Spring 2009
gained significant buzz throughout the industry. The queen of day-time
television, Oprah Winfrey, invited the twins via skype on her show
titled “Young Millionaire Moguls”. This attention definitely brought a
huge national buzz to their brand and attracted avid attention from the
press including, Vogue Italia, Arise Magazine, Essence Magazine, CNN
International and numerous magazines and blogs.
TIFFANY AMBER (NIGERIA)
With a vision to revolutionize the Nigerian Fashion Industry, Folake
Folarin-Coker launched her brand- Tiffany Amber in 1998. Despite her law
background, her passion for fashion gained a higher control. Her
dedication and hardwork made her the first African-based designer to be
invited to showcase her work two consecutive seasons at the New York
Fashion week. Tiffany Amber is no doubt, one of the biggest well known
fashion labels inAfrica. Her designs are truly a quintessence of a
glamorous, affluent African woman. She continues to stay true to her
vision by developing a strong fashion philosophy. Fourteen years after
launching her brand, it has become a highly esteemed award winning
international label. Folake won designer of the year at the 2009 African
Fashion International inJohannesburg, Fashion Brand of the year at the
ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2011 for her AW2011 Fearless Luxury
Collection. Recently, she was chosen as one of the designers to sell
their collections on the famous e-commerce platform- Yoox.com.
AISHA OBUOBI (GHANA)
The Ghanaian beauty, Aisha Obuobi is the creative mind behind the luxury
women’s fashion brand- Christie Brown. Inspired by her late seamstress
grandmother Christie Brown, Aisha founded her line in March 2008 in her
final year at the University of Ghana. She fuses kente, ankara prints,
and bright pieces to create wonderful pieces. She has since won awards
for her hardwork and creativity such as –Emerging Designer of the Year
Award at Arise Fashion Week inSouth Africa; she was the only Ghanaian
designer chosen to showcase in the Arise L’Afrique-a-Porter inParisas
part of Paris Fashion Week.
MIMI PLANGE (GHANA)
With a vision to create womenswear label inspired by Victorian and
African historical fashion, Plange started her luxury ready-to-wear
label in 2007. The Ghanaian born,Californiaraised designer studied
architecture and fashion before relocating to NewYork where she started
her fashion career working for stylist Patricia Field and designer
Rachel Roy. Since its birth, Mimi Plange has been worn by top
celebrities Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama, Princess Astrid
ofBelgium, Estelle and featured on Vogue.com, WWD, Harpers Bazaar,
NewYork Times among others. Plange’s attention to details has shown that
she is indeed a strong believer of beautiful, long-lasting clothes with
immaculate and superior workmanship.
DARRYL JAGGA (SOUTH AFRICA)
The South African designer- Darryl Jagga is famous for linking art and
architecture to his designs. He is a graduate of Fashion Institure of
Technology (FIT), where he studied fashion design. His previous
experiences working with top designers Calvin Klien, Victor Costa,
Castle Starr and Chaiken, has exposed and developed his sense of
textiles, aesthetics and construction; and has opened more doors in the
fashion world. Among celebrities who have worn DJ’s designs are Anya
Monzikova, Bai Ling and Natasha Alam. 
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