We all love a beautifully constructed style in a vibrant print, so much so that we are willing to spend extra dough for the perfect statement piece. But what do we do when the brands that we used to turn to for decades to deliver prove not to be as woke as we once believed? In the era of self-acceptance and empowerment it is no longer enough for a brand to blame their careless racism on lack of awareness about the sensitive issues surrounding people of colour and their history, especially when they have an established line of people whose jobs heavily revolve around approving new designs (hello, Gucci). Who do we turn to to help us look our best without having to swallow the nauseating guilt of knowingly supporting a brand that is not inclusive at the drawing table?

As a woman of colour, my love for pattern is in my DNA. It stems from the beautiful Geles I saw my Nigerian great grandmothers twisting into crowns, and the Shweshwe that South African women use to swaddle their babies. Africa has been a leader in luxurious fabrics and vibrant prints for centuries, and with the emergence of rising designers from the continent abundant in culture and history, it is time to expand our horizons. These five African design houses are serving up the attires we crave, without the tired excuses.

• 

• 

Rich Mnisi

Asymmetric silhouettes and layers are a must at Rich Mnisi. The South African designer is not one to shy away from bold animal and abstract prints either, so if you’ve been in search of a sheer cow print scarf or a bold trench coat, look no further. In Mnisi’s studio, more is more.

• 

• 

• 

Tongoro Studio

Their gemstone inspired designs may be lightweight and breezy, but Tongoro’s mission is anything but. Hailing from Dakar, Senegal, the brand puts heavy emphasis on sourcing their materials solely from Africa, and highlighting the talents of local tailors. Their “long-term goal is to contribute to the development of the retail production in Western Africa.”

• 

• 

Lavie by CK

Offering up nothing short of unfiltered glamour, this Los Angeles based Cameroonian designer creates everything from red-carpet-worthy mermaid gowns in rich African fabrics to gold appliquéd, velvet prom dresses. Lavie specializes in extravagant custom pieces so you can rest assured that you’ll look like royalty on your special day.

• 

• 

• 

Mowalola

This brand is everything but conservative, classic or boring. Straying far from cultural restrictions with barely there tops and low-riding skirts, Mowalola Ogunlesi’s pieces give off a rock and roll edge that is unmistakably hers. The Nigerian-British designer effortlessly incorporates the world of romance with the intensity of the club scene, harmonizing lace with bright blue leather trousers and veiny, bleached denim for the girl who knows that the party doesn’t start until she has arrived.

• 

• 

MmusoMaxwell

Delicious tailoring and wrap details are the bread and butter of MmusoMaxwell’s contributions. Indulgent of asymmetric silhouettes, fun pops of colour, and subtle prints, the South African brand is just what you need to add that extra oomph! to your everyday wardrobe.