Menswear Designers Reshaping the Narrative

Across the African continent, a new class of menswear designers is rewriting the rules of fashion. Through tailoring, streetwear, and storytelling, they’re using clothing to express identity, challenge perceptions, and reflect the complexity of modern African life.

As part of The Folklore 50 Africa, we’re proud to spotlight five trailblazing creatives whose work transcends trend — offering instead a redefinition of masculinity, heritage, and self-expression. These designers aren’t just dressing men — they’re shaping culture.

Lukhanyo Mdingi – Founder, Lukhanyo Mdingi (South Africa)

A master of restraint and intention, Cape Town-based designer Lukhanyo Mdingi brings a soulful sensibility to fashion. His collections are meditative in tone and meticulous in construction — informed by collaboration, craft, and care. A finalist for the prestigious LVMH Prize, Mdingi is internationally recognized for garments that prioritize meaning over spectacle and sustainability over shortcuts. In his world, luxury is not about excess — it’s about integrity.

Wanda Lephoto – Founder, Wanda Lephoto (South Africa)

Wanda Lephoto is challenging fashion to remember its roots. His Johannesburg label fuses tailoring and streetwear with deep cultural commentary, drawing on Pan-African history, township aesthetics, and identity politics. Wanda’s designs don’t just make a statement — they start conversations. At a time when the personal is political, his work boldly reflects the stories and struggles of modern African identity.

Laduma Ngxokolo – Founder, MAXHOSA Africa (South Africa)

Globally celebrated for his vibrant, heritage-rich knitwear, Laduma Ngxokolo is the visionary behind MAXHOSA Africa — a luxury fashion brand rooted in Xhosa traditions. Inspired by the intricate patterns of traditional beadwork and the cultural significance of initiation rites, Ngxokolo has reimagined African aesthetics for the modern world. Through bold color, premium craftsmanship, and a celebration of African identity, MAXHOSA stands as a symbol of pride, sophistication, and cultural excellence.

Rich Mnisi – Founder, Rich Mnisi (South Africa)

Rich Mnisi doesn’t just create fashion — he creates worlds. Known for his vivid palettes, fluid forms, and richly personal storytelling, Mnisi’s label is a celebration of queerness, Tsonga heritage, and maximalist vision. With global campaigns and museum-level collaborations, his influence spans continents. Rich Mnisi’s work reminds us that fashion is both deeply personal and powerfully universal.

Ifeanyi Nwune – Founder, I.N Official (Nigeria)

Ifeanyi Nwune is the voice of a new Lagos. Through I.N Official, he’s fusing sharp tailoring with the rhythm of street culture to create a bold, modern aesthetic that resonates across borders. Grounded in African traditions but shaped by global sensibilities, Nwune’s work speaks to a generation that values individuality, confidence, and authenticity. As one of Nigeria’s leading menswear designers, his rise is just beginning.

Why This List Matters

These designers represent the evolution of African menswear — a space where nuance, narrative, and innovation collide. Their work is as multifaceted as the continent itself, blending heritage and modernity, rebellion and refinement. Together, they’re building a future where African fashion is not only seen, but deeply understood.

The Folklore is honored to celebrate their vision — and to amplify the movement they’re leading.