The Muses: 6 African Creatives Giving Us More Fashion Inspo Than NYFW
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Inspired by their travels and Pan-African style cues, Trevor Stuurman, Velma Rossa, Kwena Baloyi, Daniel Quist, Yayra Agbofoah, and Rochelle Nembhard are the true ones to watch
This week the world will be fixated on all things NYFW. From the shows to the parties all things fly and fashionable will be on deck in the city that never sleeps. While we’re definitely watching the runways and celebrating black models, designers, and artists who have earned their place in the design worlds upper echelon — we’re sneakily getting our inspo from our favorite continental nomads whose style, ingenuity, and distinct Africa-forward approach to aesthetic intrigues us in a way that is both aspirational and attainable. Here’s who we’ve got our eye on:
Trevor Stuurman
South Africa’s style golden child is slowly taking the world by storm from the the halls of Florence to the streets of Lagos. Photographer, creative director, and designer, Trevor is becoming a cultural transformationist centering heritage both from his native South Africa and across the continent in his work, style, and narrative and taking it everywhere he goes.
Velma Rosai-Makhandia
A “quiet power” out of Kenya who first appeared on our radar through collaborative work with her brother Papa, Velma pioneers a style that is both African and other, timeless and timestamped, ethereal yet bold. We love her for her ability to “say less” while serving us more.
Yayra Agbofoah
A founder of the Afrodistrict creative collective based in Accra, Ghana, Yayra’s style is intentionally reminiscent of Ghana’s “Golden Age”. From tailor made suits with uniquely African details to a life that goes far beyond aesthetic prizing artifacts like cameras and kente that reach back to a time he yearns to renew for the Gold Coast.
Rochelle Nehmbard
One half of the #Noirwave union and a powerhouse unto herself, South African based designer, artists, and creative director Rochelle Nembhard is ushering a brand of feminine identity in which style, love, entrepreneurship, and creativity are badges of existence which should come at no surprise to the outside viewer. Of Jamaican descent and married to Congolese-born, South African bred musical artist PetitNoir she also crosses a diasporal existence that can be seen across her style and artistry.
Daniel Quist
Purveyor of vintage goods, style icon in the making, and proper Ghana man, Daniel Mawuli Quist is a staple amongst the Accra creative scene. With a firm belief that style is an extension of character, he and his tightly knit crew of revolutionaries are building upon the momentum of Accra as Africa’s Capital of Cool and making it tangible in their worlds.
Kwena Baloyi
In 2018 Kween Kwena has been booked and busy. Long admired in South Africa as the stylist that oozes magic onto the gliteratti, this was the year that Kwena stepped into herself and we’ve been in awe of her progression. Fearless appreciation of home is a thread that weaves it way through her looks from hair that reaches back to traditional braiding styles to colors and fabrics that both pop and form their way around the wearer Kwena has the midas touch with the commitment to the culture to match.
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