King Gina

(image provided by Sheria Ngowi) Africa’s fashion industry is one of the fastest growing industries. The world has found a way of appropriating African designs and textiles in its runways so it was only about time that more African luxury fashion brands would start cropping up to offer Africans and the world an authentic interpretation of the continent's style. In my past life I used to be a high-end image consultant (predominately for the men’s market), this is where I got to learn about the extremely talented designer Sheria Ngowi. Sheria Ngowi is a Tanzanian luxury menswear designer who has taken Africa by storm. So when I got the opportunity to approach him on Instagram, I took it. Talk about the power of social media. To my delight, Sheria was so warm, appreciative and keen on doing this interview. This interview turned into a master class that had me thinking of when I completed my Honours in Brand Leadership. Sheria has dressed heads of states, celebrities and Africa’...

(image via https://allevents.in) We are living in an exciting era in Africa. Luxury brands are cropping up all over the continent and buyers with disposable income are ready to join the tribes created by the founders of these companies. African brands are rising and creating an impact all over the world. It is definitely about time that the once coined "Dark Continent" gives international brands a run for their money. Everyone, after all, is opening up businesses in Africa; therefore it is only right that Africans do so too. We have witnessed an increase in the marketing and brand communication efforts of large luxury conglomerates in Africa especially in South Africa where most brands such as Gucci, LVMH et al have opened up stores in all the prominent malls in the country. Africa is definitely open for business. Below is a list of my top four proudly African brands that I am excited about in the luxury market. These emerging brands might have been in t...