The Future Awards Africa Prize For Fashion
Andrea Iyamah (26)
Andrea founded and created the Andrea Iyamah apparel brand strongly inspired by color and ethnic cultures at the age of 17. The Andrea Iyamah brand is popularly recognized for its creative take on swim swear using vibrant colors, an array of cuts inspired by diverse African cultures. In she was named the 2018 Young Black Entrepreneur of the year.
Andrea Iyamah’s pieces especially her swimwear line which was officially launched in 2013 have been embraced by a lot of women of colour internationally. The Andrea Iyamah brand boats of a staff power of about 200 employees with its headquarters in Ontario, Canada and a showroom in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Derin Fabikun (29)
Derin Fabikun the brain behind the popular Nigerian fashion label, Fablane by Derin. Derin Fabikun began her clothing line in the year 2009 at the age of 19. She has previously mentioned that the first piece she ever designed was in 2008. According to Derin, she has always been passionate about personal style and is on a mission to make her clients look fabulous and all slayed up for any event they choose to attend. Celebrities and influencers such as Ini Dima-Okojie, Mimi Onalaja, Bolanle Olukanni Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Beverly Naya, and a host of others have all been out and about in Fablane pieces.
Tuboboreni Sandrah (28)
Sandrah Tubobereni knew she was going to leave behind her career in finance and business development to follow her dream to become a fashion designer. She knew she had the talent for it and the drive to see it through, but she also knew she had no guarantee that it was the right thing to do. She did it anyway, starting Tubo, her women’s wear brand, and put all her energy towards reinventing the traditional African bridal silhouette. In the years since she began her label, she has forged a powerful designer/muse relationship with Nollywood screen goddess Rita Dominic and earned the attention and respect of Nigeria’s fashion elite.
Tubobereni’s vision for TUBO is to change the world through fashion and make TUBO a multi award winning global brand present on international runways and high streets as well as in the wardrobes of the most influential women and stylish celebrities around the globe. Are anything to go by, the world is not ready for Tubo.
Osemwengie Victor Odion (31)
Edo Shoe Manufacturing Company is an indigenous unisex footwear design Manufacturing Company based in Edo state Nigeria. Since the commencement of operation in 2015, the company has been involved in the production of quality school leather sandals, Pam slippers, shoes. Edoshoe is currently working With Edo State Ministry of wealth creation, cooperative, and employments to train 200 youths on shoemaking with outreach: Edo State, Lagos, Abuja, River, and Italy.
Kenneth Izedonmwen (29)
Kenneth Ize’s pieces have been worn by Naomi Campbell and Donald Glover. The Kenneth Ize brand takes a sustainable approach to the design by using locally sourced materials locally and ensuring a fair and safe working space for all workers and artisans, one that encourages collaboration and births magic. Ize collaborates with artists and design groups across Nigeria in Kwara, Kogi and Lagos, as well as supporting a small community of weavers local to Lagos. Ize is also influencing the creative arts curriculum in local schools to create traditional fashion.
In 2019, the brand introduced womenswear and currently counts Sense, Browns and Machine-A among its stockists. Ize was a finalist for the LVMH Prize 2019 and a joint winner of the Arise Fashion Week Award for “Designer of the Year.”