All products in this article are independently selected by AMAKA or by the interviewee for AMAKA. However, when you purchase an item or product through our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission.
Saturday, July 31st is Pan-African Women’s Day and the 59th anniversary of the first Pan African Women’s Conference held in Dar Es Salaam in 1962 which led to the creation of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO). Founded a year before the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (now AU), PAWO is Africa’s first and oldest collective female organization and has played an important role in mobilizing African women on the continent and across the diaspora around Africa’s liberation from colonialism, the elimination of apartheid and the eradication of gender inequalities, discrimination and injustices against women.
In celebration of Pan-African Women’s Day, here are some African women owned brands that we love that are breaking the mould and diversifying the fashion and beauty industries:
1. ZAAF
Founded in 2014 by Ethiopian artist and entrepreneur Abai Schulze, ZAAF is a sustainable luxury leather handbag and accessories line made in partnership with skilled artisans on the continent. Schulze grew up in an orphanage in Ethiopia before being adopted by an American family at age 11. She nurtured her relationship with her heritage through creativity and moved back in 2013 to start her business. ZAAF has since been featured at New York Fashion Week, received the UNESCO Tremplin Prize for Entrepreneurship and been nominated for Socially Responsible handbag design at the Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York.
Shop ZAAF via our Marketplace, here.
2. Autumn Adeigbo
Nigerian-American designer Autumn Adeigbo’s fashion journey began when she was voted ‘Best Dressed’ in the 4th grade. She was deeply influenced by her mother, who made all of Adeigbo’s clothes at the time. This has since blossomed into an eponymous brand, Autumn Adeigbo, known for colourful and vibrant pieces. Autumn Adeigbo has been named ‘Fashion’s Next’ by Essence magazine, ‘One To Watch’ by Marie Claire and featured on MTV, BET and OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network). As an entrepreneur, Adeigbo has launched four fair-trade fashion production pilots in Africa and written about her journey in a bi-weekly column for Forbes, as well as contributions to Fast Company and INC magazine.
Shop Autumn Adeigbo via our Marketplace, here.
3. Khokho
Khokho, from the siSwati word for ‘great-grandmother’, is a handbag and accessories company based in eSwatini. Founded in 2014, Khokho was born from a partnership between designer and social entrepreneur Philippa Thorne, handbag designer and consultant Sapna Shah, and artisan and master weaver, Zinhle Vilakati. All of Khokho’s materials are sourced as sustainably and locally as possible, primarily Lutindzi grass (indigenous to eSwatini) and leather from South Africa.
Shop Khokho via our Marketplace, here.
4. Kim & Kimberly
South African jewellers Kim Shongwe and Kimberly Bediako are not only fabulous friends, but they are also the co-owners of the fashion jewellery retailer, Kim & Kimberly. At the forefront of their brand is using adornments to make women feel bold and powerful.
Shop Kim & Kimberly via our Marketplace, here.
5. EPARA
Epara, meaning to 'cocoon oneself' in the Nigerian dialect Ebira, was founded with the unique skin care needs of women of colour in mind. Each product is handcrafted using Africa’s finest natural ingredients and botanicals, including Shea Butter from Ghana, Neroli Oil from Egypt and Argan Oil from Morocco.
Shop EPARA via our Marketplace, here.
6. Liha
In the Yoruba tradition, making oils, soaps, and lotions from nature was a craft traditionally learnt by young women. Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan are carrying on this practice with their brand LIHA — an innovative organic and vegan skincare brand that blends the founder’s roots of African botany with traditional English aromatherapy and folk remedies.
Shop Liha, here.
7. Loza Maléombho
Loza Maléombho grew up between Brazil, Ivory Coast, and the United States — an upbringing that informed her entry into fashion when she started designing her own school uniforms at the age of 13. Her brand was initially established in New York City in 2009 but relocated to Cote D’Ivoire in 2012 where its production now takes place. Maléombho works with artisans on the continent to create a style which she describes as a bridge between traditional African aesthetics and contemporary fashion.
Shop Loza Maléombho, here.
8. Charlotte Mensah
Award-winning Ghanaian hair stylist Charlotte Mensah has been at the forefront of natural hair care for more than a decade. Asides from sharing her expertise through her columns in Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and Tatler, she also recently published a bestselling book, Good Hair: The Essential Guide To Afro, Textured, and Curly Hair. Mensah is a three-time winner of ‘Afro Hairdresser of the Year’ and has since released her own multi award-winning Charlotte Mensah Manketti Oil premium hair care range which is designed for afro/mixed hair and all curly hair types. It is also made using organic, ethical and sustainable sourced oils.
Shop Charlotte Mensah, here.
9. TONGORO
An AMAKA favourite, Sarah Diouf’s brand TONGORO is Pan-African women’s excellence. Launched in 2016, TONGORO is a 100% made in Africa label designed and produced in Dakar, Senegal and hopes to grow into a new dynamic for Africa-based manufacturing infrastructure that supports the economic and social development of West African artisanal industries. Diouf won the 2011 Cosmopolitan Fashion Award and has launched two publications — Ghubar, and NOIR Magazine. Now she is taking the fashion industry by storm and creating playful and unique apparel that has caught the attention of Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Iman, and more, in addition to being listed as one of Fast Company’s 50 most innovative companies in 2020.
Shop Tongoro, here.
10. Uoma Beauty
Nigerian-born entrepreneur Sharon Chuter’s beauty brand, Uoma Beauty has built a reputation of inclusivity over the years. Established in 2018, the company was first focused on widening the range of foundation shades and debuted with 51 shades with six custom formulas. Last Spring, Uoma was once again in the spotlight after creating a full collection inspired by the long-anticipated sequel to the 1988 Eddie Murphy classic movie Coming To America.
Shop Uoma Beauty via our Marketplace here.