Of The Most Interesting Creative Brands to Watch in Africa

 Africa is undergoing an incredible creative renaissance, it is mindblowing to witness. I recently moved from the UK to Ghana to experience Africa and its creative elevation as it unfolds. In this article, I am going to showcase some of the most interesting creative brands to come out of the continent.

Chale Socks

Chale Socks are an innovative, Ghanaian apparel brand. Their bold, distinctive designs focus on utilising traditional Adinkra symbols and African patterns and motifs to create stunning, artistic socks.

OhYesLord

OhYesLord is a Johannesburg-based streetwear brand. Their primary aim is to promote African youth culture. Their designs are simple yet eye-catching, capturing the free spirited nature of African youth.

Waffles N Cream

Wafflesncream is a skateboard collective based in Lagos Nigeria. In addition to the collective, they also run a quirky streetwear clothing shop. A highly innovative brand, promoting creative self expression amongst the Nigerian youth.

Tongoro

Tongoro is owned and managed by successful media mogul Sarah Diouf. The Dakar-based fashion brand known as Tongoro studio offers bold, yet simple designs.

Selly Raby Kane

Selly Raby Kane is a Senegalese fashion designer who produces highly artistic pieces. Her brand was born out of a passion for urban African inspired style. Her pieces demonstrate an uninhibited style and grace. The brand can be described as high fashion meets edgy, urban Afro chic.

My Experience Working With African Creative Brands

I have worked with a number of African creative brands. I observed the passion, dedication to their craft and the determination to succeed in a continent where opportunities are easy to spot but difficult to capitalise on. The talent in Africa is incredible, inspiring, motivating. When I touch down on African soil, my first thought is to create, learn, produce. Africa pushes you in a way that I would have never thought possible.

African brands embody a uniqueness that is difficult to find anywhere else in the world. There is a raw grit and passion amongst African creatives. The fire burns strong, it is truly survival of the fittest out there. The lucky few who make it to the top can only but reminisce on struggle, days gone by where nothing looked hopeful, everything appeared hopeless but yet they pushed on through fear, obstacles and uncertainty. There is something truly special going on in Africa right now, I am blessed to be here to witness it all unfold before my very eyes.

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