By Abiodun Alfred,The Nation

Copyright thenationonlineng

African fashion is breaking boundaries, establishing itself as a global force. Designers are blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation, creating collections that shine on international runways.

From Lagos to Paris and New York, African aesthetics are shaping trends, promoting sustainability, and redefining luxury, while leading conversations on inclusivity, ethics, and creative excellence.

The following designers and brands are rated from the lowest to the top number 1 in Africa:

19. KWAKU BEDIAKO

Kwaku Bediako Oduro is a Ghanaian fashion designer and the creative director of the fashion brand Chocolate Clothing, also known as Chocolate Clothes Global. He is known for his Afrocentric designs that draw inspiration from rich African culture and contemporary styles. Bediako is also a notable advocate for sustainable fashion.

18. HAWI MIDEKSSA –

Hawi Sisay Midekssa is an Ethiopian fashion designer, creative director, and educatorbased in Paris, known for founding the brand HAWII. She blends Ethiopian heritage with contemporary design, creating a distinctive style that has garnered international attention.

17. DIBO, SUME & FESE

Dibo, Sume, and Fese are three Cameroonian sisters and the co-founders of the fashion brand Eloli. Working from different continents, they create luxury African-inspired clothing that merges vibrant, traditional aesthetics with contemporary designs.

16. SAMKELO XABA

Samkelo Xaba is a South African fashion designer and the creative director of the contemporary luxury brand BOYDE. Based in Johannesburg, he is known for his minimalist aesthetic, sharp tailoring, and commitment to sustainable fashion practices.

15. DAVID KUSI

David Kusi Boye-Doe is a Ghanaian fashion designer and the creative director of the Afro-luxurious and sustainable fashion brand BOYEDOE, which he founded in 2020. He is known for blending Ghanaian heritage with modern aesthetics and a deep commitment to sustainability.

14. TORISHEJU DUMI

Torishéju Dumi is a highly acclaimed Nigerian-Brazilian fashion designer based in London. She is the founder of her eponymous label, TORISHÉJU, which has quickly gained international recognition for its unique blend of sculptural design, artisanal craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling. Dumi’s work is celebrated for merging African aesthetics, particularly her Nigerian heritage, with modern silhouettes and traditional British tailoring.

13. TOLU COKER

Tolu Coker is a British-Nigerian fashion designer, illustrator, and multi-disciplinary artist based in London. She is known for her eponymous luxury label, which uses fashion as a vehicle for social commentary, inclusivity, and sustainable change. Her work is a vibrant fusion of artisanal craftsmanship and innovative technology, exploring themes of diasporic identity, cultural hybridity, and social landscapes.

12. FRANK AGHUNO

Frank Aghuno is a self-taught Nigerian fashion designer and the creative director of the contemporary fashion brand Fruché, based in Lagos. His work is celebrated for its bold blend of Nigerian heritage, artisanal techniques, and modern design, challenging traditional norms of dress.

11. YASMIN MANSOUR

Yasmin Mansour is an Egyptian fashion designer and the creative director of her eponymous luxury womenswear brand, Yasmin Mansour. While originally from Egypt, she established her brand in Qatar in 2014, and now works between Doha and Paris. She is recognized for her elegant, sculptural silhouettes and her commitment to sustainability and ethical craftsmanship.

10. EDWARD ENNINFUL

Edward Enninful OBE is a Ghanaian-born British fashion editor, stylist, and creative director who has become one of the most influential figures in the global fashion industry. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work promoting diversity and inclusivity, particularly during his tenure as Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue.

9. KOLAPO OLABINTAN

Kolapo Olabintan is a Nigerian entrepreneur and co-founder of the fashion brand Deji & Kola, based in Lagos. The company specializes in producing high-quality, custom-fit suits, shirts, and traditional African clothing for men.

8. UGO MOZIE

Ugo Mozie is a renowned Nigerian-American celebrity stylist, creative director, and the founder of the luxury fashion brand Eleven Sixteen. Starting his career at a young age, Mozie has built a reputation for blending Nigerian heritage with global high fashion. He’s an Afro contemporary fashion merging Nigeria traditional fabrics with modern silhouettes

7. NIYI OKUBOYEJO

Niyi Okuboyejo is a Nigerian-American fashion designer and the founder of the globally recognized menswear brand Post-Imperial. His work is known for celebrating artisanal craftsmanship and utilizing traditional Nigerian techniques, particularly the Yoruba Adire dyeing process, to create modern, wearable collections. He’s specialised into menswear brand blending, African textiles like adire with contemporary global street wears

6. OKE LAWAL

Adebayo Oke-Lawal is a Nigerian fashion designer and the creative director of the Lagos-based gender-fluid fashion brand, Orange Culture. His work is known for its vibrant aesthetic, bold use of color, and the way it challenges traditional notions of masculinity.

5. ANIFA MUEMBA

Anifa Mvuemba is a Congolese-American, self-taught fashion designer and the founder of the luxury womenswear brand Hanifa. She is a celebrated innovator in the industry, known for her vibrant, inclusive designs and her groundbreaking use of technology.

she’s known for viral 3D digital runaway shows, dresses Beyoncé,Zendaya and other global stars

4. RICH MNISI

Rich Mnisi is an acclaimed South African designer known for his eponymous luxury fashion brand, RICH MNISI. His work is celebrated for its bold and vibrant designs that blend contemporary pop culture with traditional African heritage, particularly his Tsonga roots.

3. LADUMA NGXOKOLO

Laduma Ngxokolo is an award-winning South African fashion designer, entrepreneur, and the founder of the global luxury brand MaXhosa Africa. His work is celebrated for its modern interpretation of traditional Xhosa aesthetics, featuring bold colors, geometric patterns, and fine knitwear.

He’s known for luxury knitwear brand inspired by xhosa heritage iconic patterns seen on global runaways.

2. THEBE MAGUGU

A luxury brand from South Africa that combines sleek, forward-thinking designs with Africa’s rich history. He is Couture designer and LVHM winner celebrated for

Storytelling through contemporary

South African fashion design.

1. OZWALD BOATENG

He is a British-Ghanaian designer known for his red carpet ready looks, dressing stars like Burna Boy and Colman Domingo at the 2025 Met Gala. He is the pioneer of African luxury tailoring on Savile row known for bold colors and modern British tailoring.