There has always been inherent glamour in Africa and the peoples of the African Diaspora. Here is a list of 5 African luxury brands everyone should know curated by Vanichi's Editor-in-Chief, Joy Donnell.

1. AFRICAN LUXURY BRANDS
EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW5

2. 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 brands
everyone should know.
Curate your global style.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. VANICHI is a fashion lifestyle magazine for the creative jet set.
Its pages curate global style, beauty, tech, travel experiences and culture.
VANICHI.COM