Beyond the Stereotypes: Uncovering the Best African Luxury Brands

 

They say Africa has a story to tell and indeed YES. Africa has long inspired global styles with its rich culture for so many years and many designers are currently showcasing the African story through the black luxury brand of their products.

African luxury is about quality products, materials, craftsmanship and skills infused with African culture and its heritage, and made to depict their cultural identity. And so, to clients, its not just a purchase of products but celebration of a brand and what it represents.

There are so many African luxury brands taking their stage in the world and I will be giving you not just a few, but 10 solid Black luxury brands in fashion, beauty and lifestyle you should watch out for and own their products.

 

 

  

1.Alara: founded by Reni Folawiyo means wondrous performer, and is a luxury lifestyle brand dedicated to contemporary art, design, fashion, cuisine and culture. It has it’s stunning concept store located in Lagos, Nigeria and features inspiring objects of African origin alongside international design that attracts visitors from around the world. Website: http://www.alaralagos.com Instagram handle: @alaralagos

 

 

 

 

2.Adèle Dejak is a luxury jeweller whose premium brand showcase handcrafted fashion jewellery and accessories stirred by African tribes, textiles and cultural elements and based in Kenya. Articulate and edgy, Adele pieces are a must have for the modern, style savvy and bold women. Website: www.adeledejak.com Instagram handle: @adeledejak

 

 3.Sahmani is a Ghanaian luxury jewellery brand that focusses on premium bespoke handcrafted items for your jewellery collection. Sahmani’s pieces are inspired by Adinkra symbols and are crafted by infusing the golden emblems that honour Ghanaian traditions and culture. It enables clients to connect with the African heritage through storytelling and craftsmanship. Website: www.sahmani.com Instagram handles: @sahmanijewellery

 

 

 4.Londre Tan being founded by Lilian Mohamed in South Africa is an epitome of African luxury fashion accessories. Producing handcrafted leather bags, purses and precious stone jewellery in its studio in Johannesburg and yes, all its products are locally made with exceptional craftsmanship. Website: www.londretan.com Instagram Handle: @lionessesofafrica

 

 

 

5 Maki Oh founded by Maki Osakwe in Nigeria has enjoyed ultimate celebrity endorsement in the shape of Michelle Obama who invited the designer to the White House. Her cloths are made from scratch in her country. Website: https://www.makioh.com  Instagram handle: @maki.oh

6.Loza Maléombho in Ivory Coast is best described as a bridge between traditional African aesthetics and contemporary fashion. Her silhouettes celebrate the paradox of the old and new, cultural and futuristic.  Her black luxury brand works with artisans who have mastered their craft for generations. Website: https://www.lozamaleombho.com Instagram handle: @lozamaleombho

 

 

 

 

7.Ami Doshi Shah in Kenya is an outstanding Jeweller who has been the recipient of the prestigious Goldsmiths Award for Best Apprentice Designer UK & The African Designers for Tomorrow Award. The talismanic and symbolic role of adornment is a strong source of inspiration for her work and she utilises locally sourced materials, off cuts and remnants of the Kenyan mining industry to create sculptural pieces and wearable art straddling Kenyan roots.https://amidoshishah.com Instagram handle: @amidoshishah

 

 

 

 

 8.Imane Ayissi, born in Cameroon, turned himself into a fashion household name, which seamlessly blends African tribal art with Parisian Haute Couture. His collections, often featuring exotic evocative names combine craftsmanship, materials and traditional African art inspirations together with his use of innovative fabrics. There is also often an infusion of typically African-style bricolage. Website: https://www.imane-ayissi.com Instagram handle: @imane_ayissi

 9.mSimps is a Ghanaian designer that produces handmade leather and wax print handbags, laptop bags, backpacks, leather slippers, loafers, travel luggage and throw pillows by using local materials with the primary goal of producing quality and innovative Made-In-Ghana products for the global market whilst paying great attention to detail. Website:  https://msimpsgh.com Instagram Handle: @msimpsgh

 

 

 

 

10.Thebe Magugu is a luxury South African fashion brand that constantly seek to represent women and men with clothing that embraces and enhances their everyday experience that draw from their continents storied past, complex present and exciting imagined futures that mirror the inspiring qualities of the people they are made for. Website: https://www.thebemagugu.com Instagram handle: @thebemagugu