15 Fashion Stylists You Need to Know in Africa

The fashion industry in Africa has been steadily growing and gaining global recognition in recent years. As the continent becomes a hub for creativity and innovation, the role of fashion stylists in shaping the industry has become increasingly significant.

These talented individuals work behind the scenes to create stunning looks and inspire trends. This means from the red carpet, fashion weeks, and fashion campaigns, the fashion scene in Africa has never been a boring one.

African fashion stylists often miss out on discussions. And while we’re quick to double-tap red carpet photos or perhaps, pin them on our Pinterest boards, it’s time to highlight these African fashion stylists who are the true game changers.

Nowadays, celebrities can hardly be caught up in unexpected looks — which means every red carpet appearance, magazine cover, or OOTD you see on your Instagram feeds is usually carefully selected by these fashion stylists who truly understand the language of fashion.

There’s no doubt Africa is breeding a bunch of creative force in the fashion styling industry, and this is evidenced, sartorially, in the looks of some notable figures such as South Africa’s Bonang Matheba, Nomzamo Mbatha, Nigeria’s Rita Dominic, Ini Edo, and let’s not even talk about Ghana’s Joselyn Dumas and Juliet Ibrahim, and many more.

These fashion stylists are the ones who know just how to transform a mere look into something “wow” and “amazing” or make the traditional Ankara and Kente fabrics seem red-carpet perfect. Behind each breathtaking look stands a creative genius with an eye for fashion. Call them African fashion stylists, fashion stylists in Africa, or whatever you want, they are the unsung heroes transforming every stunning look you see on social media.

From Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and other African countries, we are spotlighting 15 fashion stylists in Africa that you should know. 

Swanky Jerry — Nigerian Fashion Stylist

Jeremiah Ogbodo, often known as Swanky Jerry, is one of Nigeria’s most in-demand celebrity fashion stylists. His fashion sense is the epitome of his craft. With his bold and lavish styling approach, he has dressed some of Africa’s biggest performers, including Davido, Tiwa Savage, D’banj, Timini, Ini Edo, and Big Brother Africa contestants.

Swanky’s work has garnered him accolades across the continent, making him a sought-after fashion stylist in Nigeria and abroad. He can put together fashion-forward pieces with a blend of Western and African styles and the result would be the same as always, jaw-dropping.

Swanky Jerry has received numerous awards, including the Fashion Stylist of the Year and Male Continental Style & Fashion Influencer Awards. You can follow his spectacular style journey on Instagram, where he posts gorgeous outfits from his celebrity clients. Swanky Jerry is also the founder of Swanky Signatures Styling, a luxury styling company that works with celebrities and high-profile customers.

Dahmola — Nigerian Fashion Stylist

Behind Toke Makinwa’s stunning looks is a fashion stylist with a keen sense of transformation. Adedamola Adeyemi, widely referred to as Dahmola, has established himself as a powerhouse in Nigeria’s fashion styling scene.

Known for his clean, sophisticated looks, he has worked with celebrities like Bonang Matheba, Toke Makinwa, Sharon Ooja, and Simi. As one of the most influential fashion stylists in Nigeria, he brings a fresh perspective to celebrity styling with his modern takes on traditional pieces.  

When styling for BBNaija: The Buzz, his mission was simple, surprise Toke with each episode, despite her extensive wardrobe of shoes and outfits. This meant reviving forgotten pieces, breathing new life into items Toke hadn’t worn for years. With social media data to back it up, Dahmola’s work with Toke Makinwa, every time, is always a topic of discussion.

Tokyo James

Tokyo James is more than simply a fashion stylist in Africa, he is a complete fashion sensation. He began as a stylist before founding his own menswear company and has dressed celebrities such as Burna Boy and Wizkid. 

His creative flair blends traditional African features with contemporary British ideas and his brand has become associated with contemporary African luxury clothes.

Mimi Yina — Nigerian Fashion Stylist

Popularly known as Medlin Boss, Mimi Yina is one of Nigeria’s leading celebrity fashion stylists. She has created numerous notable looks for Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic, and Mercy Aigbe. Her fashion brand, Medlin Couture, provides both styling services and apparel lines. 

Mimi is well-known for designing eye-catching red carpet looks and assisting her clients in making dramatic fashion statements.

Veronica Ebie-Odeka — Nigerian Fashion Stylist

Veronica Ebie-Odeka is the CEO of Vanestyle, a thriving fashion brand that offers premium lifestyle advising and product manufacturing.

As a famous fashion stylist in Nigeria, she has collaborated with notable figures such as Genevieve Nnaji and Mo Abudu. 

Moses Ebite — Nigerian Fashion Stylist

With a list of industry top stars as clients, Moses Ebite of Moashy Styling is a fashion stylist who will keep us on our toes for a very long time. He is known for his daring red carpet style and his styles can be seen on some of Nigeria’s red carpet risk-takers. 

Moses also has a knack for transforming young actresses into red-carpet stars. He has styled names such as Kim Oprah, Cross Okonkwo, and Nnani Akah.

Ugo Mozie — Nigerian Fashion Stylist

As a Nigerian celebrity fashion stylist, Ugo Mozie breathes fashion, styling some of the biggest names in global entertainment, such as Beyoncé, Diana Ross, Chris Brown, Michelle Rodriguez, and many more. 

Mozie’s work has been featured in major publications like Vogue and GQ, and he is also known for his work as a fashion consultant and designer. He constantly bridges the gap between African and International fashion.

Allen Igatanyi — Kenyan Fashion Stylist

Professionally known as Allen The Dapper, Allen Igatanyi is Kenya’s top menswear fashion stylist. He has dressed high-profile clients like Sauti Sol, Nick Mutuma, and other business executives. 

His knowledge of men’s fashion has earned him a reputation as one of the most esteemed fashion stylists in Africa. He is also a personal shopper for many of Kenya’s elite.

Louw Kotze — South African Fashion Stylist

Louw Kotze has grown to be one of South Africa’s most innovative fashion stylists. He has worked with celebrities like Bonang Matheba, Maps Maponyane, and major brands including Adidas and Puma. 

Louw’s modern approach to styling combines street style with high fashion elements. Louw is also known for his work in fashion photography and creative direction.

Sarah Diouf — Senegalese Fashion Stylist

Sarah Diouf is a multi-talented fashion creative and celebrity fashion stylist from Senegal. She has styled numerous African celebrities and founded the fashion brand Tongoro in 2016, worn by Beyoncé and Alicia Keys. 

Sarah’s work champions African fashion and sustainable practices. She is also the founder of NOIR Magazine and a strong advocate for African fashion.

Memsor Kamarake — Sierra Leonean Fashion Stylist

Memsor Kamarake has styled celebrities including Kerry Washington, Megan Thee Stallion, and Angela Bassett. He has his own signature in fashion styling which combines Western and African fashion. 

Memsor has worked as a fashion editor for a number of reputable magazines. His uniqueness has earned him a reputation in the fashion industry.

Phupho Gumede Kardashian — South African Fashion Stylist

Known for his bold approach, Phupho has styled some of South Africa’s biggest stars including Boity Thulo and Mihlali Ndamase. His work regularly pushes fashion boundaries and creates viral moments.

Phupho is also known for his work as a creative director, fashion consultant, and fashion stylist in Africa. Khanyi Mbau, Diamond Platnumz, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, and Zari Hassan are some of Phupho’s clientele in Netflix’s Young, Famous, and African TV series.

Fabiola Manirakiza — Burundian Fashion Stylist

Fabiola Manirakiza has made her mark as both a fashion stylist and designer. She has worked with local celebrities and international brands, bringing Burundian fashion to the global stage.

Her work as a fashion stylist in Africa celebrates African textiles and traditional craftsmanship. Fabiola is also the founder of Frida Designs, a fashion brand that employs local artisans.

Toyin Lawani — Nigeria Fashion Stylist

Toyin Lawani, founder of Tiannah’s Empire, has cemented her reputation as a revolutionary force in Nigeria’s fashion styling landscape. Known for her bold, avant-garde aesthetic pieces, Lawani has worked with quite a number of Nigerian stars.

As one of the most sought-after fashion stylists in Nigeria, she brings theatrical flair to celebrity styling with her innovative designs that challenge conventional fashion boundaries. When styling for high-profile award shows, her mission is always the same: to create conversation-starting looks that capture headlines. 

Tiannah’s work as a fashion stylist in Nigeria consistently generates buzz on social media. Her creative direction regularly graces fashion editorials, red-carpet events, and celebrity photoshoots, establishing her as the go-to fashion stylist for stars seeking truly unforgettable moments.

Rhoda Ebun — Nigeria Fashion Stylist

A versatile creative, Rhoda Ebun is one of the most influential celebrity stylists in the Nigerian fashion industry. 

Her ‘Made in Nigeria for 30 days’ campaign, in which she wore 30 local designers in 30 days, was a hugely successful and inspirational project. She has styled celebrities like Bisola Aiyeola, Iyabo Ojo, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

Behind every classic African star moment is a visionary stylist who makes fashion dreams come true. These 15 exceptional artists are not only dressing celebrities but also redefining the narrative of African fashion on a global scale. From Swanky Jerry’s bold declarations to Rhoda Ebun’s creations, each stylist contributes a unique viewpoint to the continent’s thriving fashion landscape. 

These are the fashion stylists who don’t just follow trends, they create them, one stunning appearance at a time.

Photo: Instagram.com/medlinboss