TOP TEN AFRICAN FASHION DESIGNERS

1. DURO OLOWU (NIGERIA) - The Nigerian-born, lawyer turned fashion designer known by many as the Father of everything ‘Prints’, Duro Olowu is well known for his use of mixed vintage prints, bright colors and well polished cuts. His sharp cuts and prints, give his designs that unique glam that has attracted style icon. . Winner of numerous awards, including the 2005 ‘Designer of the Year’ British Fashion Awards.

Clients include Uma Thurman, Linda Evangelista and  Michelle Obama. Website http://www.duroolowu.com

2. KORTO MOMOLU (LIBERIA) Runner up of the  prestigious Project Runway show. Her vibrant and colorful Spring 2009 collection during New York Fashion Week; made her a  top 5 designers to watch. After Project Runway show,  Korto has been featured in lots of magazine like Essence magazine, LA Times, Ladybrille.com, InStyle.com among others.

Tyson Beckford and Lola Ogunnaike (formerly with CNN) are fans of Korto Momolu. Website : http://www.kortomomolu.com/

3. Lisa Folawiyo (Nigeria) whose brand is known as Jewel by Lisa, designs wide ranges of clothes and jeweled accessories. Her creative ability to revolutionizeAnkara fabric into colorful prints and textures embellished with Swarovski crystals, results in vibrant and fun designs. 

CLIENTS include - Genevieve Nnaji, Solange Knowles, Lala Vasquez, Catt Sadler of E! News; she has appeared on the  BBC, Essence Magazine, Marie Claire amongst others. Winner of the African Fashion International Designer Award in 2011 and she was on of the few selected to showcase at the 2011 ARISE Made in Africa Collective at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York.

Website : http://www.jewelbylisa.com/

4. DAVID TLALE (SOUTH AFRICA) 
The South African designer David Tlale winner of Best new designer of the year 2003  is an international design force with pieces that are unpredictable and exceed expectations. He also won
Mzansi star fashion designer Mzansi Award.  After winning the Elle talent competition and awarded the Best new designer of the year 2003, he exhibited his unique designs on international platforms such as, Paris Fashion Week, De Beers Shining light collection, Arise Fashion week and many more.
Clients include British Supermodel Jourdan Dunn u
website : http://www.davidtlale.com/



DEOLA SAGOE (NIGERIA)
Winner of “Africa Designs” and the MNET/ Anglo Gold African designs 2000 awards for which she was nominated by Andre Leon Tally, US vogue editor. that give women a unique vision. She is indeed a fashion visionary who has gained international fame for her haute couture pieces. She was appointed as UN Designer for UN World Food Programme: CatWalk the world- Fashion for food which goal is to raise money towards halving the number of hungry people in the world, particularly children, by 2015. Deola has participated in major fashion shows alongside Donna Karen, Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. Her designs have been donned by celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Anika Nina Rose;
Her fans include Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

website: http://www.deolasagoe.net/

KOFI ANSAH (GHANA)

He his Fashion  leader in Ghana fashion scene and a innovator in Africa.  He his the son of a classical musician and a photographer from Ghana. He his credited with changing the face of Ghana's fashion and . He designed all the costumes for the opening and closing ceremony of the African cup of nation in 2008. His vibrant, creative and edgy collections have helped pushed African Fashion to glorious heights. He has been a major player in the Ghanian fashion industry being founder and past president of the Federation of African Designers, fabric design for theGhana@50 Golden Jubilee Celebrations. He is one of the designers chosen to sell his artful collections on one of the esteemed e-commerce sites- Yoox.com. He created the Federation of African Designers, of which he has also been president

http://kofi-artdress.com/

LANRE DA SILVA AJAYI (LDA) (NIGERIA)

In just seven years of launching, her brand has gained strong international presence. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi produces high class sophisticated clothing for the elegant woman. She combines traditional fabrics, optical prints with a touch of different patterns to her designs. Her label has been the favorite of many celebrities, fashion lovers and top media houses. With a consistent ritual of showcasing six collections every year, LDA has showcased both locally and internationally for shows including ARISE, New York Couture Fashion Week and Mercedez Benz Fashion Week. She has been featured in various magazines such as Vogue Black, WWD, Essence.com, Reuters UK, Fashion Bomb and Centric/BET.
http://lanredasilvaajayi.com/




MATAANO (SOMALIA)

After escaping the civil war inSomalia, the twin sisters relocated toWashingtonDC. Ayaan and Idyl embarked upon their career in the fashion industry by creating a multicultural fashion label-Mataano (which means twins inSomalia) which has gained global recognition form distinguished fashion achievers. Their premier collection debuted in Spring 2009 gained significant buzz throughout the industry. The queen of day-time television, Oprah Winfrey, invited the twins via skype on her show titled “Young Millionaire Moguls”.  This attention definitely brought a huge national buzz to their brand and attracted avid attention from the press including, Vogue Italia, Arise Magazine, Essence Magazine, CNN International and numerous magazines and blogs.
http://www.mataano.com/

TIFFANY AMBER (NIGERIA)

With a vision to revolutionize the Nigerian Fashion Industry, Folake Folarin-Coker launched her brand- Tiffany Amber in 1998. Despite her law background, her passion for fashion gained a higher control. Her dedication and hardwork made her the first African-based designer to be invited to showcase her work two consecutive seasons at the New York Fashion week. Tiffany Amber is no doubt, one of the biggest well known fashion labels inAfrica. Her designs are truly a quintessence of a glamorous, affluent African woman. She continues to stay true to her vision by developing a strong fashion philosophy. Fourteen years after launching her brand, it has become a highly esteemed award winning international label. Folake won designer of the year at the 2009 African Fashion International inJohannesburg, Fashion Brand of the year at the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2011 for her AW2011 Fearless Luxury Collection. Recently, she was chosen as one of the designers to sell their collections on the famous e-commerce platform- Yoox.com.
http://www.tiffanyamberng.com/index.php

OZWALD BOATENG (GHANA)
He his on the list of 100 great black brition
Popularly known as the first black tailor (at age 27) to open a store on Savile Row and former creative director of Givenchy, Ozwald continues to be a force to be reckoned with.  His use of vibrant colors and refined fabrics with a twist of contemporary silhouettes offers a unique menswear luxury brand. He has donned celebrities such as Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Mick Jagger in his well tailored designs.  In 2000, he was awarded ‘Top Menswear designer’ at the British Fashion Awards; awarded an OBE in 2006 by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the fashion industry, Lifetime Award at the ARISE Fashion Week Lagos 2012 and many more.http://www.ozwaldboateng.co.uk/

Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino of Kenya
This Kenyan design duo, Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino are reinterpreting men’s suiting. Debuting their most recent collection at Africa Fashion Week New York this summer, they sent Masai-plaid inspired suits fit for a dandy down the runway, alongside Ankara printed harem pants with matching blazers.  Zeddie Lukoe and Sidney Owino, the masterminds behind Blackbird Jeans are always looking for new business ventures, tackling global fashion, and looking for ways to expand their blossoming design house

other designer that are not on the list but are a blessing to Africa are  AISHA OBUOBI (GHANA) , MIMI PLANGE (GHANA), DARRYL JAGGA (SOUTH AFRICA)

TOP TEN AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES

                                               1. UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

Established in 1829 is the second oldest university in Africa. It was elevated to university status in 1918. UCT is renowned for its Science, Engineering, Commerce and Humanities departments. With campuses including Law and Medicine are spread across the suburbs of Rondebosch, Rosebank and Mowbray. The state of the art artificial grass soccer field was approved by FIFA for training world cup teams for world cup 2012. Notable alumnis include Ralphe Bunche (American political scientist and diplomat awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1950), Max Theiler, virologist awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1951 for developing a vaccine against yellow fever, Professor Allan McLeod Cormack (Medicine), Sir Aaron Klug (chemistry).


                                               2. UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH

The university is a public research university located in a town called Stellenbosch in South Africa. The university manufactured and designed Africa’s first microsatellite called SUNSAT, launched in 1999. The original of the university can be traced to the Stellenbosch gymnasium, it became the Stellenbosch College in 1881. In 1887 this college was renamed Victoria College, when it acquired university status on 2nd April 1918 and was renamed once again to Stellenbosch University. Some notable alumni are Andre du Piscani (political scientist and professor), Andries Petrus Treurnicht, theologian and founder of the Conservative Party in South Africa, Brian Currin, leading Human rights lawyer, Daniel Francois Malan former Prime Minister of South Africa, Hendrich French Verwoed, former Prime Minister South Africa.

                                          3. UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

 The university is organised into nine campuses and an established business school. Established in 1920, the university of Pretoria faculty of veterinary Science is the second oldest veterinary school in Africa and the only veterinary school in SA. In 1994 the university business school launched the first MBA outside of North America and the university’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) has consistently been ranked the top business school in Africa for executive education, as well as being placed in the top 50 in the world. In 2011 the Financial Times ranked the GIBS Executive MBA 1st in Africa and 67th in the world. Notable alumni include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi Minister of public service and administration.

                                      4. UNIVERSITY OF WITWATERSRAND                      

 Famously known as the Wits University, it has its roots in the mining industry, as do Johannesburg and Witwatersrand in general. It was founded in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley. In 2009 Times Higher Education – QS World University Rankings ranked Wits as 250-275 in the world. The university is a member of the Global Business School Network. In its capacity as a business school, it was placed 6th best business school in Africa and the Middle East in 2010 QS Global 200 Business School report. As well as being voted the best MBA in South Africa by the Financial Mail 6 years running. Notable Alumni is Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa.


                                           5. UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL

 The University of Kwazulu natal is a university with five campuses all located in the province of Kwazulu Natal in South Africa. It was formed in 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville. Notable alumni include Steve Biko, anti apartheid activist, Mangosuthu Buthelezi leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party.



                                          6. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

UNISA as it’s famously called is the largest university on the African continent and attracts diverse students from all over the world. The university attracts students from Africa and the rest of the world with a head count of 300,000 students making it one of the world’s mega-universities. UNISA is also a dedicated distance education institution which gives the students flexibility as regards how and where they want to study. UNISA is renowned for giving their students recognition and employability in many countries in the world over. Notable Alumni include Jean-Beatrand Aristide (Haitian Politician) and Sandra Botha (South African politician).

                                           7. CAIRO UNIVERSITY

 Cairo University previously called Egyptian University and later Fuad University is a large prestigious public university in Giza,Egypt. The university includes a school of law and a school of medicine, the medical school is also known as Kasr Alaini, was one of the first medical schools in Africa and the Middle East. Cairo University was founded as a European-inspired civil university, in contrast to the religious university of Al-Azhar, and became the prime indigenous model for other state universities in the region.

                         8. The AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO

The American University in Cairo is an independent, non profit institution for higher education in Cairo, Egypt. The university provides American liberal arts education to the students from all socio-economic backgrounds in Egypt and other nations around the world contributing substantially towards Egypt’s intellectual and cultural life. The University was founded in 1919 by American Mission in Egypt sponsored by the United Presbyterian Church in North America. It was dedicated to the cultural enrichment and modernization of Egypt. Notable alumni include Rania al Abdullah (HM the Queen of Jordan), Yuriko Koike (Former Japanese minister of Defence), Mona El-Shazly (Egyptian Talk show host).

                                          9. RHODES UNIVERSITY

 Rhodes University (RU or simply Rhodes) is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province. It is the fifth or sixth oldest South African university in continuous operation, being preceded by the University of the Free State (1904), University of Witwatersrand (1896),Stellenbosch University (1866) and the University of Cape Town (1829). Rhodes was founded in 1904 as Rhodes University College, named after Cecil Rhodes, through a grant from the Rhodes Trust. It became a constituent college of the University of South Africa in 1918 before becoming an independent university in 1951. Notable alumni include Ian smith (Former Prime Minister of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe 1965 – 1979), Mandla Mandela – Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and grandson of Nelson Mandela.

                                        10. UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

 The University of The Western Cape has grown to become one of the most diverse universities in South Africa. Its excellence and quality of education is complemented by its faculty and staff, and brought to life by its students. The University of the Western Cape is a public university located in the Bellville suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1960 by the South African government as a university for Coloured people only. Other universities near Cape Town are the University of Cape Town, (UCT, originally for English speaking whites) and the Stellenbosch University (originally for Afrikaans speaking whites). The establishing of UWC was a direct effect of the Separate University Education Bill of 1957. This law accomplished the segregation of higher education in South Africa. Coloured students were only allowed at a few non-white universities. In this period, other 'ethnical' universities, such as the University of Zululand and the University of the North, were founded as well. Since well before the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1994, it has been an integrated and multiracial institution.