Luxury fashion has always taken influence and inspiration from various cultures. But what about collaborating directly with designers from all over the world? African Luxury Designers are currently breaking into global fashion retail, as well as gaining partnerships and collaborations with well known fashion houses. With techniques that span centuries of passed down knowledge, and a non-western outlook on Luxury Design, these established African designers are changing the fashion game one stitch at a time.

Dior is among one of the many European Fashion houses that have recognized the many designers coming out of Africa. The French atelier collaborated with various African fashion designers to create 114 individually unique looks for their 2020 Cruise collection. These powerful collaborations were displayed at Dior’s spring 2020 show in Marrakech, inviting African Designers from all over the continent to work as a joint opportunity for all parties involved. Rather than simply pulling inspiration and techniques from these designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri (Dior’s Creative Director at the time)  found it imperative to execute each collection as a hands-on collaborative experience, to ensure that there was a clear dialogue and executed shared vision between both groups. Taking place in the 16th century El Badi Palace in Morocco, this luxury fashion partnership had celebrities such as Lupita Nyong’o, Diana Ross, and Jessica Alba amongst the crowd of esteemed guests and designers, basking in the refreshing and trailblazing collaborations. One of Africa’s leading luxury designers Pathé Ouédraogo or “Pathé’O” created a one of a kind shirt that paid tribute to the late South African President, Nelson Mandela. This show blended cultures from two very different aesthetic backgrounds while single handedly keeping a strong identity of unity and togetherness at the forefront of each design. 

Pathé’O for Dior Cruise 2020

Ivorian/American Fashion Designer Loza Maléombho, combines her understanding of rich African tapestry traditions with her many global influences to create designs that embody true individual identity with a deep adoration for the craftsmanship that goes into luxury design. With designs that are closing the gap between tradition and innovation, Maléombho maintains this strong brand identity that is a reflection of her own personal life in which she is an advocate for African designers and artisans. By breaking boundaries on conventional fashion while simultaneously reflecting her cultural heritage, Maléombho has pioneered a Côte d'Ivoire x United States luxury fashion brand that has been worn by the likes of celebrities such as Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Teyana Taylor. Beyoncé is a repeat consumer of the African Luxury brand with the musical legend featuring multiple pieces from Loza Maléombho’s 2016 “Zaouli” Spring/Summer collection in her “Formation” music video. The designs featured are heavily inspired by traditional masks that are worn in the Northern region of the Ivory Coast. Her designs have been published in articles worldwide with features in both Vogue and Elle magazines. 

 Loza Maléombho’s Zaouli collection in Beyoncé’s Formation Music Video 

To have African Luxury fashion not only be acknowledged in a space where Luxury collaboration is allowing for brands to be recognized on a larger scale, the exposure of their clothing being worn by A-List celebrities at some of the most prestigious events, is one of the highest compliments in terms of brand longevity and it can truly skyrocket a company into overnight success.