In fashion and styling, shoes can make or break a look, often influencing the direction and feel of an outfit. In other words, footwear is more than just an accessory and possesses more power than we realise. A pair of shoes can tell a story, and reflect personal style, identity, and even culture.
Due to receiving less attention than its ready-to-wear counterpart, the African footwear industry has been flying under the radar for a while. However, it’s maturing and continues to prove its relevance. From captivating styles produced from durable materials to rustic ones that emphasise an artisanal charm through rawness and texture, and unique future staples that reflect the traditions of the continent, the rise of this fashion category is opening a new frontier.
Blending stylistic expressions with clever details, comfort, and forward-thinking designs, the following brands are not only showcasing what the industry has to offer but their work is also advancing the continent’s footwear scene to the next level and opening doors for generations to come.
Armando Cabral
Armando Cabral is an accomplished model, having worked with the likes of leading luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Dries van Noten, and Balmain among many others before eventually transitioning into footwear design. Born in Guinea-Bissau, he was raised in Portugal where he discovered his passion for the industry. The designer’s eponymous brand was launched in 2009 offering luxurious footwear for men.
Bridging African heritage with European craftsmanship, Cabral’s collections epitomize timeless sleek silhouettes. With a strong focus on craftsmanship, their pieces are crafted in Italy by skilled artisans using premium leather. Combining classics with modernity through shapes, colours, and elaborate details, their collections offer both elegance and ease through a wide range of products from dressy derby shoes embroidered with Adinkra symbols from Ghana and leisurely boat shoes to loafers and minimalist pouch slippers that seamlessly fold into a zip pouch. The brand has since added occasional shirts and items for home decor, sleep, and travel to their assortment.
Karim Daoudi
Defined by an ultra-feminine attitude, Karim Daoudi’s collections strike a balance between refined sophistication and functionality. The Morocco-born and Italy-based emerging designer offers statement footwear that commands attention in vivid colours that are not only striking but also capture fearless confidence. Produced in Italy, each pair is meticulously constructed and features innovative details such as cutouts on stilettos and draped custom jewels influenced by his North African roots. Though he finds inspiration in mundane everyday moments like “the colours of a sunset or words from a stranger”, his designs are anything but ordinary.
Maliko
Based in Nigeria, Maliko is an artisanal brand founded in 2016 by Ebuka Omaliko. The brand designs its collections with sustainability in mind and takes pride in its adoption of eco-friendly materials and crafting methods.
Finding inspiration in rich artisanal traditions from across the continent, Maliko offers a range of playful, handmade styles from crocheted and embroidered to painted. Maliko is also known for its inventive shapes and eccentric decorations like contrasting threads and abstract stitching all of which contribute to its bohemian edge. Made for individuals who value self-expression, their beautifully curated range consists of 70s-inspired platform mules, slippers, and chunky sandals.
Zyne
Zyne is a Moroccan brand offering the best of contemporary women’s footwear. Its founders Laura Pujol and Zineb Britel and their woman-led design team, prioritise comfort with each design. Think thoughtfully selected colours and textures in luxe materials such as velvet and leather. Motivated by the need to preserve Moroccan culture, the duo came together in 2016 to launch Zyne after working in the luxury fashion industry in Paris. Pujol in the marketing division of Christian Louboutin and Britel as an assistant shoe designer at Dior.
The brand’s products are crafted using traditional shoe-making techniques like hand beading and embroidery. Zyne has also mastered the creative use of sfifa threads on shoes which can be seen in many of their pairs, often adding a distinctive pattern and unmissable colour to otherwise monochrome pieces. From mules to ballerina flats, there’s something for everyone.
