AFRICAN LUXURY BRANDS

EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW5

By JOY DONNELL

Editor-in-Chief | Vanichi Magazine

There has always been inherent glamour in Africa and

the peoples of the African Diaspora. Lupita Nyong’o recently epitomized this

elegance with the elaborate hairstyle she rocked at the 2016 Met Gala, a style

inspired by the structural hair of wealthy women in many African communities.

Not surprisingly, Africa also a long history of craftsmanship and artisan skills

from precision tailoring to leathersmithing and fabric weaving to pattern making.

These skills, whether handed down generationally or reimagined for modern

clothing, are used to create well-designed, labour intense luxury pieces that are

limited in production. Below is a curated list of 5 African luxury brands everyone

should know.

These brands are often using geographically accessible materials, recycling

regional resources and being handcrafted by local artisans in ways that

embrace the ideals of sustainable luxury.

5 African luxury brandseveryone should know.

Curate your global style.

MAKI OH

Nigeria

Created by Lagosian Amaka Osakwe, MAKI OH has

amassed a loyal following and is even in the closet of

FLOTUS herself, Michelle Obama. Her pieces display

expert skill in traditional Yoruban adiré dyeing

techniques. In fact, her teardrop adiré dress was

recently seen on Amandla Stenberg in Beyonce’s

‘Lemonade.’

Her deep meanings showcase equal acumen.

Osakwe is an intellectual sensualist, intertwining her

designs with culture, literary reference, existential

conversation, societal misconceptions and luxe

fabrications. For example, her SS16 collection was

an exploration of purpose vs futility through French

philosophy, Yoruba legend, Spanish cinema and

Greek mythology.

1

MINKU

Nigeria

Already being hailed as the Hermès of Africa, Minku was started by Nigerian

fashion designer and entrepreneur Kunmi Otitoju. Otitoju earned her degrees

from Howard University and Virginia Tech. She then had a brief residence at

Goldman Sachs before diving into her entrepreneurial side. She decided to

launch Minku and produce luxury bags, wallets and accessories for men and

women. Working with Spanish leathers, Minku blends these designs with

Aso-oke fabric, a hand-loomed cloth woven by the Yoruba people of Nigeria.

The result are worldly cosmopolitan goods that are both contemporary and

timeless.

All Minku products, like this Ibaka Weekend and Work Bag in canary yellow

priced at US $1,280, are handmade at a studio in Barcelona, Spain and sold at

high end shops in Nigeria.

2

ADELE DEJAK

Kenya

Founded by Nigerian-born Adele Dejak, this

luxury accessories, lifestyle and jewelry

brand sources materials from all over Africa.

Her designs are assembled in her workshop

in Kiambu, on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

This Aminia Ring priced at $125 is made

from recycled brass and hand cast in Kenya.

3

TAIBO BACAR

Mozambique

Born in Mozambique, Taibo Bacar is the

son of a seamstress who grew up around

fabrics and design sketches. He originally

studied Information Technology but

eventually found his way to the Instituto

Marangoni in Spain for courses in pattern

cutting and design. At that time there was

no fashion industry training available in

Mozambique. By 2007, he launched

TAIBO BACAR and now the brand has

expanded into its ready to wear TB

collection and its haute couture TAIBO

BACAR line.

4

ZAAF

Ethiopia

ZAAF is a line of premium luxury leather goods and

accessories handcrafted by artisans in Ethiopia. Founded

by Abai Schulze, who also serves as Creative Director, the

names means tree in Amharic. This idea tethers to how

ZAAF is rooted in its rich Ethiopian heritage while utilizing

the resources and skillsets of its people as it “branches

wide to embrace the whole world.”

The SS’16 collection is broad range of men’s and women’s

accessories: handbags, weekend and travel pieces,

scarves and even leather jackets. Inspired by the diversity

of peoples in the capital city, it embraces the cultural and

artistic mashup of Addis Ababa.One example of their

aesthetic is this Poinciana Classic Weekender retailing at

$479.

5

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