Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”
This Wednesday, we are putting these women in the spotlight, not because they need accreditation or validation,but because of their continued efforts to relentlessly push African arts in the right direction. In every capacity we are totally inspired by them and we wish to have an endless list of women like these in the near future. If you do not know them or their work, please be encouraged to connect with them or their efforts. In no particular order, our fabulous trailblazing women are:
1. Omoyemi Akerele
Founder of Lagos Fashion & Design Week (LFDW)
Why she gets our vote: Pioneered the Lagos Fashion and Design Week movement and is relentlessly working not just on putting African fashion on the global Map, but doing so in the most appropriate way possible for all stakeholders.
2. Wangechi Mutu
Contemporary Artist
Why we respect her: Because her immense talent has earned her the title of being one of Africa’s most internationally lauded artists. A New York-based Yale-educated artist, Mutu has had exhibitions at prestigious venues like New York’s Whitney and Guggenheim Museums, London’s Saatchi Gallery, Brussels’ Wiels Contemporary Museum just to name a few and continously seeks to fight the rights, lives and creative freedom of African LGBTQI family.
3. Loza Maléombho
After winning Emerging Designer of the Year 2012 at Arise Magazine Fashion Week, Loza audaciously projected herself and her aesthetics into the world unapologetically, causing us to fall in love with the Ivorian designer’s eclectic design sensibilities. Loza has continued to spearhead and speak loudly about where she draws her inspiration and would not back down until the African heritage is given its right credit.
4. Oluchi Orlandi
Supermodel, Host of Africa’s Next Top Model
Okay do we really need to expain why?
When we heard that Tyra Banks’ hit syndicated show was finally getting an African spin-off, there was a lot of doubt and apprehension as to how it would all go. However, after just one season, the show has been able to do what its American counterpart has struggled to do for years–find the next ‘top’ model. Aamito Lagum’s career has steadily been on the rise since winning and we can only appreciate Oluchi as one of Africa’s best for that.
5. Zandile Blay
Fashion-Focused Journalist
Precise, full of tact and a style influencer in her own right, this Ghana-born journalist has distinguished herself as one of Africa’s foremost editors. She’s been named Journalist of the Year by Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa and once received Revlon’s Fashion Innovator of the Year award.
6. Arieta Mujay
Stylist, Head of PR & Communications for Boohoo, Beauty Contributor for Cosmopolitan Magazine UK, Creative Director of African Creative Collective
Currently based in London, this creative force wears several hats that keep her on her toes. In her time spearheading the African Creative Collective initative, she’s been able to get more African designers featured in international publications and in her own way ensuring that the world knows that Africa is not just for consumption, but is also a creative hub ripe enough to export.
7. Reni Folawiyo
Founder & CEO of Alara
While the world pondered on whether or not Nigeria was ready for luxury fashion, Reni Folawiyo enlisted the talents of world-renowned architect, David Adjaye, to create luxury concept store, Alara. With stores like Colette and 10 Corso Como in mind, Folawiyo brought Stella McCartney, Valentino, Marni and more to Lagos with Alara. The store has now opened to rave reviews and is set to redefine luxury shopping in Nigeria.
8. Sarah Diouf
Founder/Editor in Chief Ghubar Magazine, LeMagazineNoir, Creative Director Tongoro Studio
Her passion, her energy, and the way that she continuously excels with such grace. We cannot really describe this in words. When you meet Sarah Diouf, you will be blessed with the wealth of knowledge she has experienced as a young woman in New York where she started and runs a successful print publication.
Do you know any excellent African women currently blazing the trail in their areas of work? Please leave us a comment.
Source: Stylehq
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