Africa Day, also known as African Liberation Day, is the commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity. Established on May 25, the day continues to be a moment of celebration, honouring African leaders, creatives, and their influence on the global sphere. And now, the focus has been stronger than ever, with African tradition, beats, and beauty taking over the spotlight, turning the industry over with fresh new perspectives.
African Design on Global Art Fashion
African craftsmanship often comes with rich storytelling and deep cultural ties. As such, fashion in Africa became a form of performance art, one that displayed tribal ties, class status, and dialogue between clothes. Traditional woven cloth, such as Akwete from Nigeria or Kente from Ghana, came with resist-dyeing geometric patterns that signalled status, family history, blessings, or other spiritual meanings. These geometric patterns were what laid the early foundations for Modernist art, where geometric forms helped convey messages of abstraction.
Another famous geometric pattern that we cannot forget is a checkered red, white, and blue bag termed the ‘Ghana-must-go’ bag. In 1983, the Nigerian government expelled 2 million undocumented migrants, half of them from Ghana. With only 2 weeks allowed to make the move, the cheaply made checkered bag became the symbol of exodus, travelling from the continent to Europe.
Now the pattern’s meaning has been transformed from its initial emotional baggage to something more dynamic. For African designers, the pattern has appeared on clothes and accessories, giving the pattern associated with low-cost living a place in high fashion.
While those in the fashion capital took the design as a source of inspiration. Celine was the first to incorporate the pattern in their AW13 collection, showcasing a neo-chic woman in checkered coats. Whereas the checkered tote has appeared in Balenciaga’s 2016 collection and recently in Louis Vuitton’s SS26 collection, sparking conversations online about creative expression and appropriation. However, there is no denying how the pattern made for travellers has travelled across contexts, showcasing Ghanaians’ enduring legacy.
African Musical Artists to Have on Your Radar
Music has become a space for every language, genre, and culture to flutter so it’s no surprise that African music is now a permanent part of the mainstream. While we need no introduction to South African singer Tyla, her fusion of pop and amapiano has continuously been on the rise since 2024.
Nigerian-based singers have also been consistently dominating the pop stage, with singers like Tems, Ayra Starr, Lojay, and Rema entering the Top 100 charts and collaborating with Western pop artists with addictive earworms.
African Designers to Shop From
Spanning from modest wear to chic streetwear designs, African-based designers are infusing their heritage into clothes, creating bespoke pieces that can switch up any mood.
SN3 Studio
Celebrating Sudanese identity, SN3 Studio blend streetwear with filmmaking, architecture, and cultural motifs. Based in Dubai, each collection carries Sudanese stories on relaxed silhouettes and graphic designs.
Tolu Coker
The brand that had King Charles III watching during London Fashion Week, Tolu Coker blends the founder’s British and Nigerian heritage, where British tailoring meets Nigerian craftsmanship. As such, the pieces are dynamic, vibrant, and sharp in their silhouettes.
Maison Detta
Founded by Dalanda Detta, Maison Detta celebrates her grandmother, a woman with a bold sense of freedom and Joie de Vivre. Their pieces range from chic, minimalistic designs to sculptural waves, giving each bag its character and mood.
Hertunba
Derived from the word “Her” and the Yoruba title “Otunba”, Hertunba focuses on making wearable art, creating a narrative of a strong, confident woman. Their pieces can range from exaggerated proportions to delicate ruffles to traditional geometric patterns to modest billowing shapes.
Jellabiya
A modest fashion brand based in Senegal, Jellabiya focuses on maxi dresses and co-ord sets that are rich in intricate detailing. Here, no craft is impossible as pieces come with hand-embroidered, beadwork, embellishments, and more.
ZAIDEE
Based in Ghana, ZAIDEE focuses on traditional Ghanaian wear with a contemporary twist. While they normally focus on minimalistic design, you can also find the occasional vibrant pattern to switch things up.
FemiHandbags
Experimental but funky, FemiHandbags are nothing short of a statement. Handcrafted from the finest leathers, their pieces feature sculptural silhouettes and colour-blocked designs. Either way, they’re serious arm candy!
African Influencers to Follow
And finally, we turn to those who bring out their styling chops on the best of African fashion.
