Bledard Classic: The Affordable Line Changing African Fashion
When we first sat with Ibrahima Gueye in August 2024, Bledard stood as a declaration—a brand born from memory, migration, and the radical act of reclaiming language. It was young, self-aware, audacious. A name that once stung with stereotype was reappropriated and worn with pride, transforming into a banner for a new generation of African […]
Amazon Prime Day 2025: Best Deals from African-Owned Beauty Brands
As Amazon’s Prime Day heats up this July, it’s not just big-box brands drawing attention. A new wave of African-owned beauty brands is tapping into the global shopping frenzy, offering high-performance skincare and makeup rooted in culture, innovation, and intentionality. From Lagos to London, these brands are using Amazon’s vast reach to scale their businesses, […]
At the United Nations: Fashion, Culture, and the Urgency of Collective Action
This week, the UN Fashion & Lifestyle Network convened its annual meeting at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Hosted by the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund —a program of PVBLIC Foundation in collaboration with the UN Sustainable Fashion Alliance and supported by Lenzing, this edition of the UN Fashion […]
Meet Akunna Nwala-Akano: The Jewelry Designer Crafting Legacy with Akano Diamonds
There’s a creative optimism that fuels Akunna Nwala-Akano, one deeply rooted in the ceremonial elegance of her Igbo heritage. She carries the quiet confidence of someone raised around heirloom gold bangles, passed from one generation to the next, and grandmothers who marked life’s milestones with handcrafted adornments. Born the youngest of three daughters to a […]
Kuza Africa: Building the Future of Fashion from Kigali Outward
In 2022, three Rwandan visionaries—Bruce Sakindi (Lead, Sales), Grace Ussenge (Lead, Operations), and Maximilien Kolbe (Lead, Strategy)—came together with one unshakable belief: Africa’s creative future deserved more. More opportunity. More visibility. More support. With that conviction, they founded Kuza Africa, a platform designed to bridge the gap between untapped creative talent and the tools, networks, […]
HERitage: Celebrating African Female Changemakers
In conversation with Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye founder and CEO of Ami Colé, now Executive Vice President of Skims’ beauty and fragrance business.
Nene Yaya: A Legacy of Luxury with a Soul
Marième Gaye remembers the first time she saw her sister, Nene, cradle a handbag the way one might hold something precious—a delicate heirloom, a piece of history wrapped in fine leather. Even as children, Nene had a discerning eye. While others indulged in fleeting trends, she believed in permanence. “A great handbag,” she often said, […]
How Influencer Culture Rewrote the Story of African Fashion
We rarely pause to reflect on what it meant to run a fashion business decades ago. Before the rise of social media—and even before the internet itself—African designers relied on tangible, high-effort avenues to drive sales: showcasing collections at fashion weeks, selling through physical retail stores, and promoting through magazine spreads. Television placements, though rare, […]
Beyond the Rack: Africa’s Concept Stores Changing the Game
Aby Concept Store. Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Across Africa, a quiet revolution is unfolding—not just in the hum of sewing machines or the flash of runway lights, but in the intimate, electric spaces where fashion finds its heartbeat. Concept stores like Lagos’ Alára, a glass-walled masterpiece refracting the city’s energy into art, or Kigali’s House of […]
Frederica Brooksworth Launches AFDI to Fund and Educate Africa’s Next Fashion Leaders
African fashion has emerged as a vibrant and influential sector, showcasing the continent’s rich cultural heritage and creativity. However, despite the growing interest and investment in this industry, many emerging talents struggle to find the necessary support and funding to flourish. Unfortunately, some organizations and individuals exploit the situation, prioritizing profit over genuine assistance, […]