12 Ethical Fashion Collections Inspired By African Culture

Africa thrives on rich colors, cultural diversity, and traditional handicrafts that live on until today thanks to wonderful creatives. The following brands create a cross-cultural dialogue through fashion by reinterpreting African traditions with contemporary designs and cuts. Read further and discover 12 hip and conscious fashion labels inspired by the beautiful African culture – Queen B herself was spotted wearing one of them with pride.

Buki Akomolafe

Based in Berlin, designer Buki Akomolafe combines her German/Nigerian roots into her high-end clothing for women and men. Precise cuts, flashy colors and an androgynous touch make her collections outstanding. They are locally handmade in a small atelier in Berlin using eco-materials such as certified cotton, organic hemp-silk, and African wax print. Don’t miss out on having a look at her reversible quilt pieces, they are limited in stock!

Website: bukiakomolafe.com
Instagram: @bukiakomolafe

Mayamiko

A limited number of printed fabrics from Africa embracing local artisanal traditions make Mayamiko’s collections oh so special. All of their clothing and accessories are season-less, making you love them all year round. Mayamiko lifts up financially disadvantaged women out of poverty by nurturing their creative talent in their Fashion Lab in Malawi where they carefully craft each garment. Among many pieces, the Chifundo maxi dress is dedicated and named after one of these wonderful women. The label also turns their scrap fabric into recyclable sanitary pads and donates them to young women in the community so they feel safe and hygienic during their periods. Actress and activist Emma Watson is an official Mayamiko supporter and was proudly wearing their beautiful Laos Dome Earrings on the Ellen Show.

Website: mayamiko.com
Instagram: @mayamikodesigned

Osei Duro

Osei-Duro produces textiles and turns them into stylish contemporary garments in Ghana, India, and Peru. Each item is hand-dyed using traditional techniques such as West African batik, botanical dyeing, block-printing, hand painting, wood carving, and many more! The socially responsible brand works with local artisans, designers, and fine artists.

Website: oseiduro.com
Instagram: @oseiduro

Tongoro

Okay, Beyoncé loves Tongoro. Do we need to say more? – Not really, but we will. The 100% Made In Africa label creates statement pieces with 70s-inspired prints for conscious women mainly using silk sourced on the continent. Tongoro’s Afro-boho-chic dresses, ensembles, jackets, and more are produced by local tailors in their atelier in Dakar, Senegal ?.

Website: www.tongoro.com
Instagram: @tongorostudio

lemlem

You might have seen Liya Kebede starring the cover of prestigious fashion magazines or on the catwalk for well-known designers. But Liya is more than a successful supermodel from Ethiopia. She is a maternal health advocate and founder of lemlem. The brand offers clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids made by craftswomen across Africa. We find it fascinating how their traditional hand-weaving techniques come to light in lemlem’s African motifs – just like their popular tibeb pattern.

Website: lemlem.com
Instagram: @lemlemofficial

Sakina M’Sa

Sakina M’Sa was born in Comores, graduated from L’institut Supérieur de Mode in Marseille, and now lives in Paris. Meanwhile, her name has become a statement in the contemporary Africa-inspired French fashion world. You can find her bold pieces in her own eco-fashion boutique & workshop Front de Mode located in the Haut-Marais district. In here, you can also find over 50 other eco-friendly brands. A must-go when in Paris!