What Happened in African Fashion This Week
- bolaji akinwande
- Jun 21
- 4 min read
Ibukun Awosika, one of Nigeria’s leading businesswomen, is entering the textile and apparel market with the launch of a new marketplace focused on Africa’s fashion industry. Meanwhile, several African brands—from Nigeria to Ivory Coast and South Africa—have released new collections celebrating craftsmanship. Additionally, Cameroon has announced new measures to boost cotton production, aiming to strengthen its textile and apparel industry by 2030.
Clearly Invincible brings you the latest in our weekly African fashion recap. Here's everything that happened this week.
Collection.
NIGERIAN BRAND E.S.O BY LIMAN RELEASES NEW COLLECTION TITLED “SPIRIT OF THE CLOTH”
E.S.O by Liman is a Nigerian slow fashion brand that fuses cultural heritage with contemporary designs. The brand has released its newest collection, titled “Spirit of the Cloth,” which is inspired by the classic Nollywood film, The Widow’s Cot. Pieces from the latest offering feature feminine silhouettes made from tulle and lace.
Collection.
THIS IS US DROPS SS25 COLLECTION - “LOCAL CHAMPION”
This is Us is a Lagos-based clothing brand founded in 2016. The brand is known for its use of indigo-dyed Funtua cotton to create pieces, weaving craftsmanship, and artisanal heritage. This is Us' latest collection, titled “Local Champion” celebrates local heroes fusing sports and playful aesthetics. Pieces range from kaftan dresses, handwoven aso-oke pants, cropped tops, and shorts.
Event.
IBUKUN AWOSIKA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY LAUNCHES AFRICAN MARKETPLACE DUBAI 2025
The Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy (IALA), led by Ibukun Awosika—one of Nigeria’s foremost businesswomen—has launched the African Marketplace Dubai 2025 to showcase African brands on a global scale. The platform will bring together export-ready Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) brands, established brands, and products from Africa and the Caribbean. Part of the showcase includes fashion and textiles. The first edition of the African Marketplace is scheduled to be held from November 12–15 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai and will feature over two hundred exhibitors from more than sixty countries.
Collection.
NIGERIAN BRAND OHLANNA BU ZIKORA UNVEILS NEW COLLECTION TAGGED- “THE YASSIFICATION OF NKALI”
Ohlanna Bu Zikora is a fashion brand based in Abuja, known for offering sculptural formal, evening, and bridal wear while weaving in elements of Igbo cultural heritage. Zikora’s latest offering, dubbed “The Yassification of Nkali,” is a nod to 1950s couture-style dressmaking, merged with the brand's Eastern Nigerian heritage. Featuring red as the central motif of the collection, it includes structural dresses, one of which pays homage to Christian Dior.
Report.
CAMEROON SET TO INCREASE ITS COTTON OUTPUT AS A WAY TO CURB SECONDHAND CLOTHING IMPORTS
Many African countries are still struggling with the importation of secondhand clothing. Among them is Cameroon. According to a new report, the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) spends about 80 billion CFA on secondhand clothing imports. Cameroon has been recorded as producing a large amount of cotton; however, only about 5% of the cotton produced is processed in the cotton-textile-apparel market chain. To strengthen the cotton-to-apparel value chain, the country is set to increase its annual cotton output to 600,000 tons, which will, in turn, ensure that about 50% of the cotton is processed locally by 2030.
This new strategy will operate under the National Development Strategy 2020-2030 (SND30), and if successful, it will reduce the country’s secondhand clothing imports.
Collection.
IVORY COAST BASED BRAND MAISON ELIE KUAME RELEASES “AFROPULENCE” COLLECTION
Maison Elie Kuame is an Ivory Coast–based fashion brand founded in 2006. Established as one of Africa’s foremost fashion houses, it is known for its blend of couture and ready-to-wear pieces. The brand has unveiled its latest collection, titled “Afropulence.” This collection celebrates Elie Kuame’s exceptional craftsmanship and artisanal ethos across both couture and ready-to-wear creations.
Brand.
SOUTH AFRICAN BRAND LUKHANYO MDINGI RELEASES NEW T-SHIRT DROP TAGGED “PROVENANCE PART II”
Lukhanyo Mdingi is a South African eponymous brand honouring Africa’s artisanal practices. The brand is known for its androgynous and fluid silhouettes, which often offer a contemporary appeal. Mdingi's latest offering is a T-shirt drop titled “Provenance Part II,” released on Youth Day, June 16th—a day that commemorates the Soweto Uprising. The new drop is dedicated to the legacy of the Lovedale Printing Press—one of South Africa’s foremost printing presses, which contributed significantly to the country’s political consciousness. The limited-edition piece, available in deep red and orange, is inscribed with phrases like “The two of us are stronger together” and “The best is yet to come,” affirming decades of the country’s political resistance.
Event.
KENYA HOSTS EAST AFRICA FASHION LIFE SHOW WITH CHINA
The East Africa Fashion Life Show opened for its second edition from June 19th to 21st in Nairobi, Kenya. The multi-day fashion fair is held in partnership with China, featuring over 70 exhibitors from both countries. The showcase also highlights local Kenyan designers and aims to foster and strengthen economic partnerships between Kenya and China.
Collection.
UDIAHGEBI UNVEILS 2025 RESORT COLLECTION TITLED “SAINT ETIENNE”
Udiahgebi is a Nigerian androgynous luxury brand known for its fluid designs that blur gender boundaries. Since its inception in 2021, the brand has steadily established itself in the luxury fashion space. Its latest offering, a resort collection titled “Saint Etienne,” continues Udiahgebi’s exploration of flowing silhouettes and intricate, sensual cut-outs that evoke a sense of grandeur.
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