Fashion
The fashion industry in Africa has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years. The global demand and discussion on African-inspired fashion has led to incredible sales for some African designers and brands. The boom in African fashion has caught the eyes of international celebrities including former US first lady, Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Beyoncé, among others. The growth has been spurred by various young fashion designers and entrepreneurs who are now partakers in the billion-dollar industry.
One of the most vibrant fashion industries on the continent is Nigeria’s industry. With a population of over 180 million, Nigeria’s fashion has always been diverse, reflecting its many ethnic groups, religions. and cultures.
Individuals who are exhibiting the African diversity in this industry include Folake Folarin–Coker, who is the creative director of Tiffany Amber. Thanks to her impeccable taste and gaudy colors, Folarin-Coker is considered to be the first African designer to showcase her designs at New York Mercedes Fashion Week for two consecutive years. Her work has earned her recognition and awards, which include an Enterprise Award at the Women, Inspiration & Enterprise (WIE) Symposium in 2013. She has also been listed by the Forbes Power Women in Africa list. The name Zizi Cardow is widely known in fashion circles across the globe thanks to her talented creations which reflect the style and spirit of her country, Nigeria. She founded Zizi Industrial Clothing Company in 2000, with the desire to globalize the African fabric and designs so as to give rise to a proud Nigerian globally. Her works have been featured in various local and international media outlets including CNN, SABC and Channel O. Cardow’s designs have graced numerous fashion shows in Africa and beyond, and she has also received various awards and nominations for her creations.
Besides Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry, South Africa is also leading the way in making the continent the hotbed of style and mind-blowing fashion designs. Thula Sindi is one of the emerging South African designers. Sindi studied at the London International School of Fashion, after which he started working at Vlisco, a textile company. He later started his own clothing company, whose designs have been appreciated as elegant. Sindi has won numerous awards for his modern and sophisticated designs.
Another young emerging South African designer is Bongiwe Walaza. Walaza attributes her expertise to her mother who was a seamstress. Her dynamic style of radical patterns has gained her a huge following both locally and internationally. She has worked closely with Da Gama Textiles, who produces traditional South African textile designs. Using asymmetry and with a penchant for shape-shifting within her work, Walaza’s clothes are a little bit earthy – she also produces workwear.
