14 Labels Redefining Global Fashion
Fashion on the African continent has gone way beyond a run through the racks at a local clothing boutique. Africa Fashion Week New York (AFWNY), as part of the prestigious New York Fashion Week recently came to a close, but this major event brought together the continent’s fashion elite. So, who are we obsessing over and keeping our eyes on? We bring you our list of established and amazing emerging talents.
DAVID TLALE
This South African award winning fashion designer is ?winning? at the moment, but his road to fame has not always been glamorous. A pivotal moment for him occurred after a dress he designed for his mother received much more recognition than he expected. Clearly the David Tlale brand oozes luxury and the designer certainly lives up to his name. David Tlale’s?Spring 2015 collection is about ?giving women back their power and equipping them with a strong and confident sense of allure, without losing their essence and femininity,? according to the designer. He certainly makes being fierce look fabulous.
ADE BAKARE COUTURE
Great Britain’s Ade Bakare is founder of Ade Bakare Couture-London. He has been known to serve high profile clients around the world by exclusive request for his designs. The award winning designer also produces the ?Breeze? fragrance, which is evocative of air, wind, and water in the coastal city of Lagos, Nigeria his country of heritage. He has also made a name for himself with the unique creation of his couture organza sweep coats and gazars. Crazy talented does not even begin to describe this fashion genius!
PATRICK ASSO COUTURE
Patrick Asso of Patrick Asso Couture is a renowned African stylist of Ivorian origin. His clientele are exclusively women with “beauty queen sensibilities”. A little trivia: he studied sociology until his second year at the University of Abidjan.
EVA GABARRA DESIGN
Eva Gabarra is an emerging?fashion designer behind the Eva Gabarra Design?label originating in Dakar, Senegal. She won first prize at the Vilsco Show in Paris and first prize at the Tropics Awards in Johannesburg.
LANRE DA SILVA (LDA)
Internationally renowned?Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi (LDA) is the founder of the?label that is named after her. ?The LDA brand?specializes in 1940?s couture signature designs while incorporating African traditional fabrics. The ideal client is bold, sophisticated and feminine with an edgy twist. Her work has been featured globally, with many accolades.??Couture, color and boldness with an edgy twist are the signature of my designs? LDA says. Touch?!