In celebration of Black History Month, Visionaries Fashioning Africa (VFA) is shining a spotlight on the Black fashion creatives who are redefining the global fashion industry.
These creatives are redefining trends and challenging traditional narratives by infusing their unique cultural heritage into the world of fashion.
Through their work, they are driving crucial conversations around diversity, representation, and inclusivity, inspiring the next generation of creatives and leading the charge toward a more inclusive and dynamic fashion landscape.
Here are some of the key figures being celebrated:
Telfar Clemens:
Telfar Clemens is a Liberian-American fashion designer and the founder of the fashion label Telfar. Clemens has won the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the CFDA American Accessories 2019, and the CFDA American Accessories 2020
Stephen Tayo:
Stephen Tayo is a Nigerian photographer who draws inspiration from Lagos. In his work, he documents the world around him, and the role that fashion and style play in identity, community, culture, and religion. His work has been featured in Vogue US, British Vogue, New York Times, Indie Magazine, Dazed, Teen Vogue, Okay Africa, Vogue Italia, CNN, ArtNews, OkayAfrica, Highsnobiety, Vogue Australia, Hybebeast, Vice, Interview Magazine, among others
Victor Glemaud:
Haitian-American designer Victor Glemaud launched his statement knitwear collection in 2006, catering to all genders, races, and sizes, blending comfort and style. A 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist, he was honored by the Haitian Ambassador to the U.S. Raised in Queens, he began his career with Patrick Robinson, later working at Paco Rabanne and Tommy Hilfiger after a stint in public relations at KCD.
Ozwald Boateng:
Ozwald Boateng, a Ghanaian-born designer, brought Savile Row tailoring to a new generation with his bespoke suits and celebrity clients like Will Smith. He left a computing career at 23 to pursue fashion, eventually becoming Givenchy’s menswear creative director in 2003. Boateng also launched his U.S. line through the 2006 reality show “House of Boateng” and was awarded an OBE.
Edward Enninful:
Edward Enninful, a Ghanaian-born British editor and stylist, served as editor-in-chief of British Vogue and European editorial director of Condé Nast. At 18, he became fashion director of i-D magazine, holding the role for over two decades. He later contributed to Vogue Italia, and American Vogue, and was a creative fashion director at W magazine. Enninful was appointed editor-in-chief of British Vogue in 2017, stepping down in 2023.
Campbell Addy:
British-Ghanaian photographer Campbell Addy, known for his striking imagery, gained international acclaim after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2016. In 2023, he held the solo exhibition I Love Campbell, exploring his roots and artistic inspirations, and received the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator.
Julia Sarr-Jamois:
Julia Sarr-Jamois, the youngest and first Black fashion director at British Vogue, is a key figure driving change in the fashion industry. Starting as a model at 17, she later interned at i-D magazine before rising to consultant, stylist, and fashion director. Known for her eclectic style, she frequently appears on best-dressed lists.
Ama Quashie:
Ama Quashie is a prominent nail artist and founder of the AMA salon, known for her work in global fashion weeks and editorial campaigns. Born in London to a British mother and Ghanaian father, she studied media, art, and cultural studies before discovering her passion for nail artistry at Central Saint Martins. Her work has been featured in Vogue, i-D, and Dazed, and she has collaborated with brands like Alexander McQueen and Chanel. In 2018, she opened her first salon in Brixton, focusing on natural nails and clean ingredients, and later expanded to Leicester Square. Quashie is dedicated to keeping her salons inclusive and connected to the Brixton community
IB Kamara:
IB Kamara, pronounced I.B. (born 1990) is a Sierra Leone-born, London-based creative who is a Stylist, Journalist, Musician, Model and Creative Director. In January 2021, he was named Editor-in-Chief of Dazed magazine and in 2024 was announced as Creative Director for Off-Whitefollowing the death of Virgil Abloh in November 2022.
Bianca Saunders:
Bianca Saunders is a London-based fashion designer known for her exploration of identities influenced by her West Indian heritage. She completed her BA in Fashion Design at Kingston University and her MA in menswear at the Royal College of Art, where her graduate collection challenged stereotypes of hypermasculinity with feminine details. In 2017, she curated the exhibition Personal Politics at the Ace Hotel London, showcasing her collection film Permission. In 2019, she curated Nearness in Brixton for Black History Month.
Cyndia Harvey:
Cyndia Harvey is a prominent hair stylist known for her work with brands like Louis Vuitton and clients like Naomi Campbell. Born in Jamaica, she developed her passion for hair in her mother’s salon and a London salon. In 2021, she won the British Fashion Council’s Changemaker Prize and launched her hair care brand, This Hair of Mine, featuring a plant-based scalp serum. Her work emphasizes storytelling and emotional connection.
Nadine Ijewere:
Nadine Ijewere born in 1992 is a London-born photographer of Nigerian-Jamaican parentage. She works in the fields of fashion and portraiture and is known for celebrating the diversity of her models, many of whom do not conform to the standard fashion industry stereotypes.
David Tlale:
David Tlale is a South African fashion designer. He was born in Vosloorus in South Africa. He was raised by his single mother. His work has been showcased at the Cape Town Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. He has also designed collections for major retailers like Edgars. Tlale was a semi-finalist at the South African Fashion Week Elle New Talent Show Competition in 2002. In May 2003, Tlale started design studios in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Dapper Dan:
Dapper Dan, is an American fashion designer and haberdasher from Harlem, New York. His store, Dapper Dan’s Boutique, operated from 1982 to 1992 and is most associated with introducing high fashion to hip-hop culture; its clientele includes Mike Tyson, Eric B. & Rakim, Salt-N-Pepa, LL Cool J, and Jay-Z. In 2017, he launched a fashion line with Gucci, with whom he opened a second store and atelier, Dapper Dan’s of Harlem, in 2018.
Andrea Dumebi Iyamah:
Andrea Dumebi Iyamah, born 18 March 1993, is a Nigerian-Canadian fashion designer born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She is the founder and CEO of the fashion label Andrea Iyamah which caters to bridal, swimwear and ready-to-wear lines. She is known for her take on women’s fashion and swimwear, which has been worn by celebrities such as Michelle Obama, Kate Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Ciara, and Issa Rae.
Anifa Mvuemba:
Anifa Mvuemba is the founder and designer of Hanifa, a ready-to-wear womenswear label launched in 2012. The Congolese designer has grown her direct-to-consumer business through social media and has been featured in Forbes, British Vogue, Billboard, and Elle. In May 2020, Hanifa hosted a pioneering 3-D fashion show on Instagram Live for its Pink Label Congo line. In 2019, Mvuemba was selected for Teen Vogue’s ‘Generation Next’ initiative, connecting young designers with industry insiders.
Elie Kuame: Elie Kuame, born in Belgium to Ivorian and Lebanese parents, grew up in Côte d’Ivoire and developed a passion for fashion. After four years of apprenticeship, he became an assistant at a bridal dress house and won a young creators contest sponsored by Hermès in 2006, presenting his first collection, “Women of Power.” His travels across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa enhanced his skills and inspired his mastery of materials. Influenced by architecture and the arts, Elie Kuame approaches his work with creativity and passion. He is also the founder of the first fashion week in Ivory Coast, La Fashion Week by Elie Kuame.
Adama Paris:
Adama Amanda Ndiaye is a Senegalese fashion designer. She also goes by the name Adama Paris, which is also the name of the label she owns and operates. Her pieces, which are manufactured in Morocco, can be found internationally, including in New York City, Tokyo, London and Paris. She is credited with starting Black Fashion Xperience.
Prince Gyasi:
Prince Gyasi Nyantakyi, also known by the artist name Prince Gyasi is a Ghanaian international visual artist. He is the co-founder of Boxedkids, a non-profit organization helping kids from Accra get an education.
Laduma Ngxokolo:
Laduma Ngxokolo is an award-winning designer and founder of Maxhosa AFRICA, established in 2010. His globally recognized brand is showcased at events like New York Fashion Week and features premium craftsmanship rooted in African heritage. His designs are displayed in prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian and MoMA, and he has established a new narrative in the design business by owning his production facility.
Pistis:
Founded by the duo Kabutey Dzietror and Sumaiya Dzietror, the couple founded the Ghanaian brand in 2008 after graduating from the Vogue Style School of Fashion & design.The brand has become a frontline in the growing fashion industry in Africa and globally and has become recognized for its unique hand-beaded bridal gowns and creative use of African fabrics such as kente for special occasions. The brand has styled notable personalities and celebrities such as H.E. the First Lady of Ghana Mrs Rebecca Akuffo-Addo, Mrs. Samira Bawumia (Second Lady of Ghana), Naomi Campbell, Bozoma St. John, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Omoyemi Akerele:
Omoyemi Akerele is a Nigerian executive, businesswoman and entrepreneur.[1] Akerele is the founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week, Style House Files and special advisor to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC). She has several advisory positions including Industrie Africa and Jendaya, and has been an advisor to the MoMA, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the UN, the British Fashion Council and the State of Fashion Netherlands.
Malick Bodian:
Malick Bodian is a model and photographer who has worked with Dior, Givenchy, Valentino, and Louis Vuitton. Raised in Senegal, he moved to Europe at 13 and became the first Black male model to walk in a Givenchy Couture show in 2020. Transitioning to photography, he has shot for Vogue and GQ, and in April 2022, he photographed Grace Wales Bonner’s collection in Accra, inspired by 1970s West African portraiture.
Precious Moloi-Motsepe:
Precious Moloi-Motsepe is the founder and executive chair of African Fashion International (AFI), promoting African designers through fashion events and e-commerce. A trained doctor from Soweto, she co-founded the Motsepe Foundation to support health, education, and economic empowerment. Since launching AFI in 2007, she has expanded its global reach and received recognition as a Woman of Impact by Credit Suisse in 2022.
Morin Oluwole:
Morin Oluwole is a thought leader in the luxury industry, specialising in digital transformation, business development, and innovation. As the Director & Global Head of Luxury at Meta (Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp), she led the global luxury division and managed multiple product and business teams for 17 years.
Formerly Chief of Staff to the CMO, she developed business strategies for global brand partners. In her earlier roles, she directed product marketing and public content partnerships in the fashion and luxury sector, and she also led management consulting at Sachs Consulting in New York.
As we honor these remarkable creatives, VFA continues to strengthen its role as a global platform that celebrates African creatives’ influence on the international fashion industry, while building a collaborative network and community to support future partnerships and innovation within the industry.
