Secret Shopper
Red carpet frocks, jolly knitwear and architectural silhouettes — The insider’s guide to shopping ’til you drop in Johannesburg
Words Helen Jennings
Johannesburg is South Africa’s fashion capital thanks to a swelling number of talented local designers and a burgeoning creative class eager to build and consume the city’s shopping culture. Here, two South African designers, Anisa Mpungwe of Loin Cloth & Ashes and Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa by Laduma, discuss what makes Jozi ...
Sartorial Streets
Blazers, bow ties, bling, traditional prints and modern twists — Get inspired and get to know eight of the best West and Southern African street style bloggers
Words Helen Jennings
Street style blogs have reached fever pitch worldwide and Africa is no exception. Whether documenting their own outfits and exploits, or hitting hotspots, parties and events to seek out the best dressed, the continent’s savvy fashion bloggers are joining the global conversation about African creativity. ...
Style Cities
Live la vida loca at Labadi beach, appreciate African art in Dakar and get into the Lagos groove — here’s how to spend 24 hours in three of the coolest West African cities…
Words Helen Jennings
West Africa is home to some of the continent’s fastest emerging, most exciting cities. In Accra, Dakar, and Lagos new infrastructure, buzzing music and fashion industries and world-class cultural scenes centred on key urban hubs are attractive to both inhabitants and savvy travellers ...
Oh Brother!
Ivorian Pagne, Agbada, Sokoto and Savile Row tailoring — make room in your suitcase for fresh threads, boys. Here are the names to know in African menswear…
Words Helen Jennings
Modern menswear is enjoying a global blossoming. The 1990s metrosexual is long gone, replaced by stylish guys who know it’s okay to be a dressed up peacock one day and dressed down hipster the next, as well as invest in good quality wardrobe staples. The menswear market is expected to exceed $400billion ...
Made-to-Measure
Celebrated British designer Ozwald Boateng OBE is known for crafting exquisite suits. A master of dynamic details, he turns his attention to his biggest project yet, the Made In Africa Foundation.
Words Belinda Otas
Photography courtesy of Ozwald Boateng
On a crisp New York day in September 2013, Ozwald Boateng, his partner, Nigerian business magnate Kola Aluko, rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx stand alongside Africa’s leading philanthropists and ...
Gidi Up!
Adire silk dresses, ankara suits and directional sportswear — Lagos Fashion and Design Week 2013 dished up looks so lush they could last a lifetime (or at least until the next show)
Words Helen Jennings, Photography Kola Oshalusi for Insigna
Thanks to Nigeria’s growing economy and unstoppable creative class, Lagos is now one the world’s most emerging fashion markets. Promoting this exciting scene is Lagos Fashion & Design Week (LFDW), the third annual edition of which took place ...
Social Fabric
Nigeria’s fashion industry is an important source of employment. Design house Kinabuti aims to contribute to the growth of it, and the nation's creative economy at community level.
Words Diane Lemieux Photography Adolphus Opara & Massimo Sciacca
“If any place can become the Milan of Africa it is Lagos.” Caterina Bortolussi, designer and founder of the fashion label Kinabuti, waves at the room of well-dressed people to prove her point.
We are standing in the living room of ...
Runway Success
Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW), the event that’s positioning Nigeria on the world fashion map, is making us giddy for Las Gidi
Words Emma Woodhouse
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only,” said the designer Coco Chanel. “Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
If you love fashion you will be able to easily reel off the 'big four' - Paris, London, New York, and Milan. Buyers, editors and ...
100% NY-LOS
In fashion speak, NY-LOS (New York—Lagos) is the new NY-LON (New York—London). There’s a Nigerian brand of boldness and entrepreneurial zest taking one of the world’s fashion capitals by storm. Wings meets three designers bringing West Africa to the USA’s East Coast.
Words Amber Croyle
In the fashion world, ‘African’ remains one of the hottest buzzwords. African Fashion Week is increasingly successful and now in its third year. Season after season, major American and ...
Boutique Travel
Designer delicacies from Lagos to London — savvy shopping at some of the best boutiques at Arik destinations.
Words Enyinne Owunwanne
Whether you’re going surfing in South Africa or heading to Lagos for back-to-back meetings, a little retail therapy is a great way to relax after a long day of work (or play).
Forget about keychain souvenirs and t-shirts that will inevitably become pajamas. Pick up something unique and unforgettable for you, for yours, for home. You won’t necessarily ...
