Discover the 10 most influential Chinese fashion designers of 2026. Learn about their sustainable innovations, iconic fashion labels, and global runway presence in this deep dive into the evolution of China’s premium fashion industry. China’s fashion landscape in 2026 has transcended its manufacturing roots to become the world’s most influential laboratory for sustainable luxury and 'Guochao' avant-garde. From the ethereal 'Air-weave' structures of Susan Fang to the carbon-neutral pragmatism of ICICLE, a new generation of visionaries is blending ancient heritage with hyper-modern technology. Explore the top 10 designers and the supermodels who are not just walking the runways of Paris and Milan, but are fundamentally rewriting the global style narrative.

From the high-octane runways of Strut It Africa to the helm of her luxury resort-wear label, Zefyros, Lola Hannigan has redefined the Kenyan style narrative. Now a central figure in the Kenyatta-Gecaga dynasty following her high-society wedding in late 2025, the designer and mother of three balances the precision of her German-Kenyan heritage with a bold, entrepreneurial spirit. Explore the evolution of a fashion icon who turned "sandy beaches and salty air" into a thriving retail empire at the heart of Nairobi

As Lagos prepares for the electric "Detty December" season, the Nigerian Student Fashion and Design Week (NSFDW) returns for its ninth edition on December 20, 2025. Set against the sophisticated backdrop of GAC Motors, Victoria Island, the event celebrates the bold, festive spirit of African youth. With a legacy of catapulting designers like PatrickSlim and Vienne Styling to global runways in Dallas, NSFDW continues to redefine the intersection of heritage, innovation, and contemporary style.

As Nairobi prepares to host Fashion Week 2026, the 'Green City in the Sun' is positioning itself as the global capital of regenerative luxury. Under the theme ‘Stitching the Sun,’ this year’s showcase transcends the runway, highlighting a sophisticated ecosystem of African designers who are merging ancestral craftsmanship with modern ethical standards to redefine the continent's textile economy.

Sustainability meets the avant-garde this January as Nairobi Fashion Week returns with a bold mandate: "DECARBONIZE." From upcycled couture to regenerative textiles, witness the rise of Kenya’s creative collectives as they blend heritage artistry with a low-carbon luxury lens, proving that the future of the runway is circular.

"Nairobi Fashion Week Season VIII is trading fast-fashion for a radical 'Decarbonize' manifesto. Discover how African designers are merging ancestral craft with zero-waste innovation to lead the global sustainable couture movement."

“Nairobi is stepping out of the shadow of global fashion capitals to set its own intentional pace. With the theme ‘Decarbonize,’ Nairobi Fashion Week Season 8 brings together a curated collective of designers from Paris to Lagos to prove that the most luxurious thing a brand can wear in 2026 is a clean conscience. Explore the artisanal mastery and zero-waste innovations redefining the African catwalk.”

“From the heart of Nairobi to the coast of Cape Town, media powerhouse Claudia Naisabwa is redefining the African 'it-girl' narrative. As she prepares to co-host the historic inaugural WAV Festival, we explore the ‘Naisabwa Factor’ a unique fusion of Gen Z energy, high-fashion sensibility, and a mission to elevate R&B and soul through a Pan-African lens.”

"From avant-garde silhouettes to the integration of AI in visual storytelling, the Delight Technical College 2025 Grand Fashion Runway showcased a masterclass in modern African couture. Celebrating a new cohort of designers and media pioneers, the event underscored a creative renaissance in Nairobi, led by visionaries like Principal Saitoti Meitamei and a stellar lineup of global alumni."

"Nairobi’s Kenya National Theatre was transformed into a hub of innovation on December 19, 2025, as Delight Technical College celebrated its Class of 2025. Featuring a 'Grand Fashion Runway' that fused traditional tailoring with cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence, the ceremony highlighted the institution's role in shaping Africa’s next generation of creative leaders."

Africa’s fashion and modelling industry is emerging as a powerful global force, driven by cultural authenticity, youthful creativity, and platforms like Nairobi Fashion Hub that are redefining visibility, investment, and international access.

As Kenya becomes East Africa’s beauty powerhouse, Malkia Beauty Shop & Cosmetics is setting the pace for boutique excellence. From premium skincare and global makeup brands to locally relevant braids from Angels, Sistar, Lush, Darling, and imported ombré collections, Malkia blends international trends with Kenyan identity. With expert consultations and a signature slogan, Glow Like a Queen, the store reflects the evolution of a modern, confident, and trend-aware Kenyan beauty consumer.

The Miss Heritage International Kenya 2025 Grand Final lit up Nairobi’s Best Western Meridian Hotel with a dazzling celebration of culture, elegance, and empowerment. More than a pageant, it was a bold showcase of Kenya’s heritage, where beauty met purpose and tradition inspired a sustainable future.

MULU, once a leading plus-size fashion brand for women, is rebranding into a lifestyle fashion label for the entire family. The launch of the new MULU Reborn Collection on September 4, 2025, reflects the personal journey of the founder, Kanessa Muluneh, and a new vision: to dress families with ease, comfort, and togetherness.

In a breathtaking display of architectural innovation and experiential luxury, Louis Vuitton has anchored its most ambitious retail concept to date in the heart of Shanghai: "The Louis," a monumental, life-size cruise ship-shaped destination that transcends the traditional boutique. More than just a store, this extraordinary structure seamlessly integrates a vast flagship retail space, a sophisticated restaurant, and an immersive museum charting the brand's illustrious history, setting a new benchmark for luxury engagement in the global market.

Kenyan fashion student Nicole Tikolo has won the People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Fashanne Awards in the UK for her curve-inclusive collection Urembo wa Pwani. Inspired by her Taita heritage and Kenya’s coast, the 23-year-old’s designs celebrate African storytelling, body positivity, and cultural pride marking a bold step forward for inclusive global fashion.

Kenyan fashion talent Nicole Tikolo is turning heads in the UK as a finalist in the 2025 Fashanne Awards. Her womenswear collection Urembo wa Pwani, inspired by her coastal roots and Taita heritage, celebrates curvy African women through bold prints and flowing silhouettes. Now vying for the People’s Choice Award, Nicole is calling on global support to spotlight African fashion on the world stage.

The Designer Who Gave Women Pockets In her new biography, author Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson explores the rise of Frederick-born designer Claire McCardell, who single-handedly democratized women’s fashion. Her groundbreaking designs, which would ultimately become known as “the American Look,” gave women mix-and-match separates, ballet flats, and—famously pockets. "She was concerned about a woman’s own experience and how she felt wearing the clothes, and what she did in those clothes," Dickinson explains. McCardell's work was as much about women's autonomy as it was about fashion, proving that practicality and style could coexist.

A New Era in African Fashion, The Christie Brown Academy (CBA), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, proudly graduated its second cohort of 25 fashion entrepreneurs. These young creatives completed an intensive, one-year program designed to equip them with the tools to build globally competitive and sustainable fashion businesses. The graduation showcased their original collections, a true reflection of their growth and commitment to innovation.

Founded in 2019, Mr. & Miss Kasarani is a community-based pageant dedicated to empowering youth through fashion, leadership, and cultural expression. What began as a small platform to showcase local talent in the heart of Kasarani has grown into one of Nairobi’s most anticipated and impactful grassroots pageants, now proudly in its 6th Edition. This initiative provides a nurturing space for young people to build confidence, discover their creative potential, and become community ambassadors.

The air crackled with anticipation as the first Monday of May dawned in New York City, marking the return of the Met Gala, an annual pilgrimage for the titans of fashion, Hollywood royalty, music icons, and the art world's elite. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, a venerable institution steeped in history and culture, transformed into a vibrant stage for sartorial storytelling as the crimson carpet awaited the procession of visionary designs and the luminaries who would bring them to life. This year's gala held particular significance, serving as the grand opening for the Costume Institute's spring exhibition, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," a profound exploration of the enduring influence and intricate nuances of Black dandyism. The evening's dress code, an evocative directive: "Tailored for You," served as an invitation for attendees to delve into the art of sharp menswear and to draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of Black dandyism.