INSPIRED BY AFRICA II

I also created this collage of celebrities wearing fashion inspired by Africa in 2014. Anna Wintour, editor and chief of American Vogue, stepped out in this Ankara trench by BURBERRY PRORSUM. Kierra Knightly and Kerry Washington are in PETER PILOTTO, who released a 2014 line for TARGET. U.S. First Lady, Michelle Obama, wears Nigerian designer, DURO OLOWU. Lady GaGa is also in Ankara by BURBERRY. Solange Knowles is the star of African-inspired looks. She consistently rocks a number of independent Black-owned brands like DEMESTIK and BOXING KITTEN and mainstream designers, including this pantsuit by JUST CAVALLI.

Since 2014 and especially with the release of the Black Panther movies, the presence of fashion by African designers has multiplied many times over, both on the red carpet and at high visibility events; the movie's cast led the way.  

Featured below (top row) Black Panther director, Ryan Coogler is in IKIRIE JONES, Tamron Hall wears DEMESTIK and NBA star Dwayne Wade wears MAXHOSA, a featured designer in Africa Fashion; (middle row) Angela Bassett wore MANGISHI DOLL by African designer, Kapasa Musonda; Rihanna wore STELLA JEAN to the White House; Beyonce visited South Africa and wore a number African designers, shouting them out on Instagram. Both Michelle Obama and IMAN are in Duro Olowu, and Zendaya is in STELLA JEAN.    - by Janel St. John