The BoF 500 Class of 2025 honours a new generation of visionaries whose work is shaping style, culture, and creativity across continents.
Each year, The Business of Fashion (BoF) curates the BoF 500 — a definitive index spotlighting the most influential people shaping global fashion. This year’s BoF 500 Class of 2025 feels particularly special for Africa. From Lagos to Nairobi, Douala to Addis Ababa, African creatives aren’t just being noticed; they’re being celebrated as vital voices steering fashion’s future.
The 2025 inductees cut across designers, models, and cultural innovators whose work has redefined how the world perceives African creativity. Their presence on this year’s list underscores the unignorable truth that Africa is not just redefining global fashion; we are causing a movement you can’t dismiss.
Here are the Africans shaping the future of fashion, featured in this year’s BoF 500:
Grace Ladoja
Described by BoF as one of fashion’s “behind-the-scenes connectors and power brokers,” Grace Ladoja is a multifaceted entrepreneur and creative force. As the founder of Homecoming Festival, she has built a cultural bridge linking Africa to the global creative scene through music, fashion, and art. Her induction into the BoF 500 recognises her continued impact on culture and lifestyle, following nominations from industry leaders including Tayo and Ayo Amusan, Ebi Sampson, Iretidayo Zaccheaus, and Omoyemi Akerele.
Ayra Starr
Among the brightest Afrobeats stars of her generation, Ayra Starr has mastered the art of commanding both stage and spotlight. Beyond her chart-topping hits, her fearless, bold, youthful, and unforgettable approach to fashion has turned her into a modern style icon. Her inclusion in the BoF 500 class of 2025 comes as no surprise; it’s a celebration of a young woman whose artistry transcends sound and style alike.
Read also: Ayra Starr’s “Hot Body” reminds me of the importance of exploring your sensuality through music
Tems
Grammy-winning artist Tems continues to break boundaries not only through music but also as a global fashion muse and cultural powerhouse. Recognised by BoF for her global influence and her work as the founder of the Leading Vibe Initiative, Tems has carved out a space that transcends music.
Her style, a blend of ethereal femininity and a goddess aura, has captivated global audiences and luxury houses alike, cementing her as one of Nigeria’s most dynamic talents. Her induction showcases her role not only as an artist but also as a creative force on the global stage.
Daniel Obasi
A multi-faceted artist based in Lagos, Daniel Obasi is renowned for his thought-provoking work as a stylist, photographer, and filmmaker. His art blends Afrofuturism with themes of identity and gender, offering fresh perspectives on African aesthetics. Among his standout credits is styling Beyoncé for her visual album “Black Is King”. Quietly revolutionary, Daniel’s presence on the list affirms his status as a trailblazer shaping fashion’s visual future.
Seni Saraki & Teni “Teezee” Zaccheaus
As co-founders and co-presidents of Native Networks — a cross-platform media and content collective that aims to “bridge the ever-widening cultural gap between locals and the diaspora”- Seni Saraki and Teni “Teezee” Zaccheaus have become key game changers of Nigeria’s creative economy. From music to fashion, their work spotlights the pulse of African youth culture, amplifying its voice globally. Their impact moves effortlessly between music and style, putting Nigeria and Africa on the global map.
Awar Odhiang
South Sudanese-Canadian model Awar Odhiang, who is currently making waves after becoming the third black model to ever close a CHANEL runway show, was inducted into the BoF 500 class of 2025. One of the most sought-after models in modern fashion, Awar continues to dominate global runways. In 2025 alone, she walked for several prestigious houses. These include Prada and Loro Piana during their Autumn/Winter 2025 shows, and, recently, CHANEL Spring/Summer 2026. Born in a refugee camp in Ethiopia, Awar’s story is a powerful reminder that with belief and determination, anything is possible.
Katungulu Mwendwa
Katungulu Mwendwa is a leading figure in the world of sustainable fashion, bringing that passion to life through her brand, Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa. All her materials, from cotton to fibres, are sourced locally. By blending different African cultures in her designs, Katungulu has moved from the African stage to the global scene — with her pieces even sold in cities across Japan. With achievements like these, her induction into the BoF 500 class was well-deserved.
Ibby Njoya
British-Cameroonian set and spatial designer Ibby Njoya is the founder of London-based Njoya Studios. He is celebrated for his vivid approach to creating engaging and deeply expressive visual worlds.
As a set designer, he has worked with fashion houses like Dior, CHANEL, Hermès, Dries Van Noten, and Off-White, collaborating with the industry’s top photographers. His creativity brings each space to life, transforming sets into canvases that allow people and brands to express their best artistic selves.
Mahlet Teklemariam
Mahlet Teklemariam earns her place for creating the Hub of Africa Fashion Week, an event that promotes African fashion on the international stage. Held annually, the event provides a platform for networking, showcasing, and learning from industry experts. It also attracts designers from across the continent, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya. Through its showcases, the event continues to champion African fashion globally, giving designers from across the continent a platform to shine.
Mamuor Majeng
Known for his slender silhouette and distinctive facial structure, Mamour Majeng is redefining men’s fashion and modelling. Joining the Muses & Models category on the BoF 500 class of 2025, he continues to shine a spotlight on African faces. While doing so, he also continues to shape beauty standards on international runways. With his commanding presence, he has walked for major brands. Some of them include Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Bottega Veneta, solidifying his place as a global model.
Why the inclusion of Africans in the BoF class of 2025 is so significant
The inclusion of these talented Africans isn’t just recognition; it shows that the global fashion conversation is expanding and no longer defined by Paris, Milan, or New York alone. It is also no longer just “inspiration,” but an active movement taking the world by storm. Proof that the continent’s creativity is not peripheral but central to where the industry is headed next.
As the BoF 500 Class of 2025 takes its place in fashion history, Africa’s rising stars remind us that style thrives where stories are boldest. They also remind us that no one tells them quite like we do.
Read more: Lisa Folawiyo’s ones to watch — the new vanguard of African fashion
