11 African Luxury Fashion Brands You Should Know About in 2024

It is anticipated that the African fashion market, which is expanding rapidly, will exceed $32 billion by 2024. This growth is attributed to the rise of high-end designers and the enhancement of African fashion accessibility via the utilisation of social media and technology.

African luxury designers incorporate unique heritage features together with patterns, fabrics, cuts, textiles, and accessories in their collections. These designers prioritise presenting their cultures even as they adjust their creations to appeal to modern luxury consumers.

It’s projected that by 2024, the rapidly growing African fashion market will be valued at more than $32 billion. Increased access to African fashion through the use of social media and technology is credited with this expansion, as is the emergence of high-end designers.

In addition to patterns, fabrics, cuts, textiles, and accessories, African luxury designers use cultural elements that are exclusive to their collections. While making adjustments to their creations to cater to contemporary luxury buyers, these designers place a high priority on displaying their cultures.

The influence of Africa on the global fashion scene is apparent, as the continent is rich in artistic talent, culture, and history. Eleven prospective African luxury fashion labels to look out for in 2024 are listed below by STYLEAFRIQUE™•com.

1. Thebe Magugu (South Africa)

Thebe Magugu is a South African premium fashion company that was started by the same-named designer. Since its 2016 launch, the company has received praise from all around the world for its cutting-edge designs and dedication to promoting South African culture.

Women’s ready-to-wear is the main focus of Thebe Magugu’s collections, although the company is also well-established in accessories and small-scale multidisciplinary projects. Thebe Magugu created history in 2019 when she won the coveted LVMH Prize for Young Designers, making history as the first African designer to do so.

The brand’s distinctive fusion of modern design with traditional African aesthetics reflects its core ideals of quality and originality.

Thebe Magugu. Photo Credit: Thebe Magugu

2. Don Morphy (Cameroon)

Custom suits and t-shirts are Don Morphy’s speciality as a high-end fashion brand. Daniel Mofor, a Cameroonian, founded the company, which is renowned for its daring modernity, excellent craftsmanship, and individualised customer experience. Don Morphy creates his designs in Dallas and has them handcrafted in Florence, Italy, for a genuinely custom appearance.

The label has dressed a wide range of celebrities, including T.D. Jakes, rapper Mike Jones, and Emmitt Smith. Don Morphy has received praise from esteemed magazines like GQ, Vogue, and The New York Times for its dedication to quality and style.

Don Morphy. Photo Credit: Don Morphy/Instagram

3. Rich Mnisi (South Africa)

Rich Mnisi, the 2014 Africa Design International Young Designer of the Year and LISOF graduate, launched Rich Mnisi, a modern design brand with its headquarters in South Africa in 2014. In addition to researching the treasures carved within Africa and the globe of current culture and tradition, the brand caters to an ambitious, worldwide clientele. Rich Mnisi’s ideas are encapsulated in radical yet understated structures, with the primary driving forces being design and craftsmanship.

By fusing creative imaginations and taking cues from non-fashion elements like music, art, film, and nature, the company has established a place for itself. Although Rich Mnisi’s collections have garnered positive feedback, some of the high prices for some of them have stirred controversy on social media.

Rich Mnisi. Photo Credit: Rich Mnisi/Instagram

4. Orange Culture (Nigeria)

Orange Culture is a Nigerian luxury fashion brand that was launched in 2011 by Adebayo Oke-Lawal and has had a big impact on the world fashion scene. The brand is more than simply a clothing line; it’s a “movement” that fuses African flair with international shapes to create a distinctive mix of vibrant colours, print fabrics with Nigerian influences, and modern urban streetwear.

The designs of Orange Culture appeal to a creative class of men and women who want to use their appearance to make a narrative. Every item is produced in Lagos using textiles that are responsibly obtained from nearby Nigerian fabric manufacturers. The brand is well-known throughout the world and has been highlighted in prominent magazines like The New York Times, Vogue, WWD, and BoF.

Orange Culture. Photo Credit: Orange Culture Nigeria/Instagram

5. Lisa Folawiyo (Nigeria)

Renowned Nigerian fashion designer Lisa Folawiyo is praised for her creative usage of the traditional West African cloth – ankara. In 2005, she launched her upscale line of clothing, Jewel by Lisa. Her designs feature a special fusion of contemporary tailoring with African prints, giving them a distinctive look that has become well-known throughout the world.

Only vivid Ankara textiles, adorned with beads, sequins, and crystals, are used in Lisa Folawiyo’s collections. These textiles are expertly sewn by hand in regional workshops in Nigeria. Her brand has appeared in international editions of Vogue, The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Lagos. It has also displayed collections on platforms across the world in London, Paris, Milan, New York, and Johannesburg.

Lisa Folawiyo. Photo Credit: Lisa Folawiyo/Instagram

6. Tongoro Studio (Senegal)

Sarah Diouf launched the upscale fashion label Tongoro Studio. Based in Dakar, Senegal, the brand is well-known for its whimsical and one-of-a-kind outfits that are crafted by African tailors using materials from their continent. Tongoro Studio is a genuine “Made in Africa” luxury brand because of its dedication to empowering African artisans and fostering high standards of craftsmanship.

Famous people have praised the brand’s creations, which are known worldwide for their prominent luxury and reasonable price. The Sango word for “star” is “Tongoro” making it an appropriate moniker for a company that makes a big impression on the African fashion industry.

Tongoro Studio. Photo Credit: Tongoro Studio/Instagram

7. MaXhosa Africa (South Africa)

MaXhosa Africa is a high-end knitwear company that honours the Xhosa culture. It was established in 2012 by South African designer Laduma Ngxokolo. The brand’s modern knitwear designs are reinterpretations of traditional Xhosa beading patterns, colours, and symbolism.

MaXhosa Africa’s designs are exhibited at international events such as New York Fashion Week, and the company has become well-known worldwide for its genuine design work, superb craftsmanship, and high quality. The company wants to establish itself as a top African luxury, premium, and mass-market brand for heritage clothing and lifestyle.

MaXhosa Africa. Photo Credit: MaXhosa Africa/Instagram

8. Imane Ayissi (Cameroon)

The designer of the same name, Imane Ayissi, was born in Cameroon and developed a luxury fashion brand. The brand is renowned for fusing the opulence of Parisian haute couture with African history. Ayissi’s designs feature premium ready-to-wear items offered in South Africa, Cameroon, and Japan, as well as haute couture pieces that are made to order.

His creations have been shown at several fashion weeks, such as African Fashion Weeks and AltaRoma in Rome. However, he unveils his new collections at Paris Haute-Couture Week. Independent couture firm Imane Ayissi is well-known for its exquisite, imaginative designs, premium materials, and meticulous attention to detail.

Imane Ayissi. Photo Credit: Imane Ayissi/Instagram

9. Christie Brown (Ghana)

Aisha Ayensu, the creative director, launched the upscale fashion company Christie Brown in Ghana in 2008. The company bears the name of Aisha’s grandmother, a seamstress from Ghana who never had her label. Christie Brown’s designs have a strong African ancestry and are influenced by the innumerable artists and visionaries that have come before it.

The company sells a variety of items, such as dresses, coats, jackets, slacks, shirts, and skirts. Christie Brown is more than simply a store; it’s an exceptional fashion encounter delivered up in a beautiful blend of culture and colour. Fashion fans love this brand because of its exquisite designs, luxurious textures, and unmatched craftsmanship.

Christie Brown. Photo Credit: Christie Brown/Instagram

10. Lemlem (Ethiopia)

Supermodel Liya Kebede launched the sustainable fashion label Lemlem, which is driven by artisans. The brand, which offers clothing for men, women, and kids, is well-known for its handwoven cotton designs created in Africa by regional artists. Lemlem’s goals are to maintain the weaving craft and encourage Ethiopian economic independence.

The brand makes trendy, casual, modern, and comfortable clothing that is ideal for trips to the city or vacations. The Lemlem Foundation receives proceeds from Lemlem sales to support maternity health and women’s empowerment initiatives throughout Africa.

Lemlem. Photo Credit: Lemlem/Instagram

11. Sindiso Khumalo (South Africa)

The premium fashion brand Sindiso Khumalo was introduced in 2015 by the South African designer of the same name. The label is well-known for its distinctive fabrics and flowered, patterned gowns that are appreciated for their carefree elegance. But Khumalo is most proud of the line’s handcrafted items that incorporate elements of her Zulu and Ndebele heritage, as well as its sustainable garment development.

With an emphasis on sustainability and promoting socioeconomic development, Sindiso Khumalo gives back to communities throughout the continent and her own country of South Africa through her designs and manufacturing techniques. The company is one to watch since it has won numerous important industry accolades.

Sindiso Khumalo. Photo Credit: Xavier Vahed/Instagram