2025 was a turning point for fashion. Clothes stopped being just clothes, and they became a part of our identity. These brands were at the forefront and shaped the conversations around fashion this year.
Here are the 20 Best Fashion Brands of 2025
ZTTW
Zanku to the world put the spin on streetwear this year. The sharp silhouettes, unconventional tailoring, and experimental textures blurred the line between streetwear and high fashion.
In 2025, the brand found its way onto the bodies of culture shapers, with Olamide and Davido spotted in the label’s pieces, and Cruel Santino bringing the brand’s mood to life through modelling.
OBIDA
Obida sits at the intersection of contemporary Pan-African design and handcrafted, artisanal prints. In 2025, the brand moved with quiet confidence, from a pop-up in Abuja to a launch party in Lagos, while its flagship store found its way onto the big screen, with cast members styled in the brand’s pieces.
The label found global visibility when Babajide Sanwo-Olu wore an Obida shirt at the E1 Racing Championship in Monaco, which was a subtle but powerful moment of cultural export.
Known for its airy, summer-light feel, Obida’s clothes move softly but leave a lasting impression: relaxed silhouettes, thoughtful detailing, and garments that feel as good as they look.
DNA
DNA showed real range in 2025, turning traditional aso oke into structured, modern statements. The brand’s ability to make heritage fabrics feel current gave it a clear edge this year. Its visibility grew through culture-facing moments, with Beauty Tukura spotted in the brand’s pieces. DNA sits at that sweet spot where tradition meets attitude.
AABOUX
Aaboux made 2025 unforgettable with beautiful leather bags that double as statement pieces. The brand’s work was previously featured in Glamour Magazine and Lenox & Parker, and its collections were presented at Bloomingdale’s, Lenox Mall, Atlanta, as well as Atlanta Fashion Week.
Aaboux went global with pop-ups and expos in Cotonou, Abidjan, Accra, Paris, Nairobi, Dubai, Geneva, Washington DC, Lagos, and Zurich, and had red carpet moments at Venezia La Biennale 2025. The brand completed Phase 2 of Lagos x Paris, was featured in Under40 CEOs “How We Made It In Africa Vol 2”, and engaged global delegations from Brazil to Afreximbank/ITC Geneva.
Wrapping up the year with a showcase at Lagos Leather Fair 2025, Aaboux proved that African leather craftsmanship can shine on every stage.
OSHOBOR
Oshobor brought culture, cinema, and runway to life in 2025. The brand produced a fashion film, “EDO ODION”, that captured the ancestral heritage of Edo culture, while founder Peter Odion was recognized with the Africa Fashion Up 2025 Prize for Best Eco-Responsible Designer.
Their pieces hit global stages: Uche Montana wore custom designs to the London premiere of Behind the Scene, a custom suit was made for Funke Akindele, and the SS26 collection “Night Has Come” debuted at Lagos Fashion Week.
Internationally, Oshobor was featured at Tranoï SS26 in Paris, on Vogue Runway, and in Guzangs, with appearances in Côte d’Ivoire, New Jersey, and Paris.
The brand’s film also earned two short film selections globally, one in Ardea, Rome, Italy, and another in the UK, cementing Oshobor’s presence as a cultural and creative force.
WANDE ESAN
Wande Esan is modern, playful, and unapologetically for the girls. In 2025, the brand dropped its “IT” girl bag, complete with an inbuilt mirror and lip pouch, instantly becoming a must-have for every fashion-forward girl. The Wande Esan drape hat, the first of its kind in Nigeria, further cemented the brand’s innovative edge.
Pop-ups across the year drew crowds rushing to get their hands on the pieces, while the airy, summer-light feel of the clothes perfectly captured the essence of girlhood. Wande Esan continues to blend creativity, fun, and cultural flair into designs that feel effortless, vibrant, and distinctly modern.
BAWSTY
BAWSTY was born from the founders’ need for properly fitting clothes for busty women, and in just three years, the love has been massive. In 2025, the brand continued to solve a problem that many women can relate to, with pieces selling out in minutes. Their first-ever pop-up this year was packed, showing just how much demand there is for clothing that combines fit, style, and confidence. BAWSTY is empowerment tailored for women.
WAF.
The Rainy/Wet 2025 Collection marked a new chapter since the brand’s 2020 rebrand, with pieces designed to handle Nigeria’s rainy and dry seasons while resonating with a global community.
The brand collaborated with Patta, making items available in Amsterdam, London, Milan, and Lagos, and teamed up with Pith Africa and Coca-Cola for standout creative campaigns. Pop-ups in South Africa and Kenya, alongside availability in Nairobi and New York stores, further cemented its reach. Creative ads in the form of short stories showcased the brand’s storytelling prowess, while championing skate culture in Nigeria remained central. WAF also announced an African tour spanning Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, and Ivory Coast, proving the brand’s influence is both local and continental.
KKERELÉ
Kkerelé continued to push creative boundaries in 2025 with its eccentric, functional footwear designs. The brand expanded into design through Vooyage Studio, a parallel project that explores shared language, intent, and future collaborations, showcased in a presentation open to the public in their showroom. Kkerelé’s influence also reached the continent, with a presence at Design Week South Africa, further cementing the brand’s reputation as a pioneer at the intersection of fashion, functionality, and forward-thinking design.
THIS IS US
ThisIsUS continued to define versatility and style in 2025. Known for casual, free-feeling designs like their signature indigo uniform and Funtua cotton pieces, the brand creates wardrobe staples that work for everyone, from preppy androgynous looks to dressed-up moments. The SS25 collection, released in June, delivered the perfect summer-ready pieces, while collaborations with IAMIsigo for Lagos Fashion Week showcased the brand’s innovative approach to contemporary fashion.
ThisIsUS also expanded its global presence with pop-ups in Lagos, Cape Town, Amsterdam, London, and Abuja, launched a new flagship store, and partnered with Ajanee Studio on a rewear drive, proving that style and sustainability can go hand in hand.
BOLAPSD
BolaPSD solidified its status as a Gen Z-facing streetwear brand in 2025, with designs that quickly became obsession-worthy for both baddies and OGs alike. The brand’s artistic direction is next level, with fast-rising drops that sold out in minutes. Visibility skyrocketed when Rema wore the BolaPSD polo in a music video, further cementing its cultural relevance.
With a pop-up in Toronto, sold-out shows, and a growing presence in Lagos, Abuja, and Canada, BolaPSD proved it’s a streetwear label to watch, balancing hype, creativity, and influence effortlessly.
FRUCHÉ
Fruché blends traditional Nigerian culture, heritage, artisanal techniques, and contemporary design into standout pieces that define modern African luxury. In 2025, the brand made waves when Ciara closed their Lagos Fashion Week show, and stars like Temi Otedola, Olaf Hernandez, Deola Art Alade, Ugo Mozie, and Funke Akindele have been seen wearing their designs.
Fruché also made a custom look for the 2025 MET Gala, debuted in Paris with Africa Fashion Up, and earned the Jury’s Special Mention Award at the event. The ‘Shameless 25’ collection was colorful, stylish, and unapologetically bold, proving Fruché continues to marry heritage with contemporary flair.
MOYE AFRICA
Moye Africa continues to make aso oke cool again, transforming traditional fabrics into colorful, modern silhouettes that blend heritage with contemporary style. In 2025, the brand was spotted on Jola and FK of I Said What I Said podcast during their Abuja show, and held a pop-up in Lagos that drew eager fans.
The brand also participated in AFROBEAT in MOTION, curated by Spotify x SevereNature, while drops consistently sold out, proving that Moye Africa’s aesthetic and craftsmanship resonate with both local and global audiences.
PITH AFRICA
This year belonged to Pith. From culture-shifting collaborations to global expansion, the brand had one of its strongest runs yet. They worked with Spotify and Fela, teamed up with WAF for drops that sold out fast, and are now working with Palmwine. As finalists in the Lagos x Paris accelerator, they went on to win Best Brand Book, cementing their reputation for world-class visual identity and storytelling.
Pith pushed boundaries with a month-long pop-up inside the BYD showroom in Lagos, partnering with BYD to unveil the Dolphin.
Their Closer to Home collection, featuring the Petal vest, messenger bag, safari hat and more pieces, went viral in the streets of Lagos. They also collaborated with Adidas, which provided footwear and football accessories for their Black Pride campaign jersey.
Their global footprint expanded with pop-ups and stockists in Tokyo and France, proving their language translates far beyond Lagos. From intimate house parties to international retail, Pith was in motion all year long.
SEVERE NATURE
Severe Nature has cemented itself as one of Nigeria’s premier streetwear forces, blending culture, music, art, and community into everything it does. The brand kicked off the year with a sharp denim capsule and has been spotted on tastemakers like LAX, Sheggz, Temi Otedola, and Lojay. Beyond clothing, it has leaned heavily into storytelling and culture-building, from its DJ workshop collaboration with Doghouse TV to its street-focused mini-series Raised a Rebel, starring TML Vibez and also Ayo Maff, spotlighting Lagos street culture and rising talent.
This year, Severe Nature expanded its creative reach through an art collaboration with Anthony Azekwoh and major brand partnerships with Hennessy and Spotify. It has become just as known for its cultural moments as its clothes, hosting immersive live exhibitions, exclusive merch drops, and experiential events that consistently draw large crowds. Collaborations ranged from a high-energy party with Sunset at Amah to the viral Afro Extravaganza 9000 summer takeover, plus an in-store workshop featuring NBA star Precious Achiuwa and a cycling jersey project with Wekafore.
Severe Nature is a living snapshot of Lagos street culture, constantly evolving and pulling the community along with it.
IAMISIGO
Iamisigo lives in the space between nomadic expression and experimental, wearable art. Traditionally handcrafted across Africa, the brand turns material into message, blending cotton from Uganda and Kenya, sisal from Tanzania, raffia and jute from Nigeria, and recycled aluminium, glass and plastics into pieces that feel alive on the body. Each collection pulls energy inward and radiates it outward, tuning the wearer like an ancient instrument.
In 2025, the brand’s vision stretched across borders, featured by Vogue Portugal and Elle Croatia, receiving the Zalando Visionary Award, debuting its SS26 collection at Copenhagen Fashion Week, launching in Cape Town, exhibiting in France, and walking Lagos Fashion Week.
I.N OFFICIAL
I.N Official was on a quiet but powerful run in 2025, the kind of momentum you only notice when you start connecting the dots. From dressing Ebuka for the Global Citizen stage to delivering a custom three-piece suit for Phyno, the brand leaned fully into sharp tailoring and cultural presence. Their collaborations with Glenfiddich and Meta pushed them even further into global rooms, proving that modern Nigerian menswear is about moving with intention, precision, and quiet confidence.
HERTUNBA
Everyone’s favorite brand.
Hertunba stayed exactly where it belongs in 2025, at the heart of every “best dressed” conversation. From bold kaftans to sculpted blazers and fluid dresses, the brand mastered the art of dressing the modern woman without losing touch with tradition. Their Joy Collection was a colour story we’re still not over – playful, expressive, and impossible to miss.
Seen on Angelique Kidjo, Osas Ighodaro, Toke Makinwa, Priscilla Ojo, Temi Otedola, Mo Abudu, DJ Cuppy and Jackie Aina, Hertunba was lived in. With features in ThisDay Style and Rolling Stone Africa, runway moments at Lagos Fashion Week, a showing at the Seoul Africa Festival Fashion Show in Japan and a strong Paris presence, Florentina Agu’s five-year run with the brand felt louder, prouder and more global than ever. Sustainable, deliberate, and beautifully Nigerian, Hertunba had a year that felt like legacy in motion.
FREE THE YOUTH
When you think of Ghana streetwear, you immediately think of Free The Youth.
In 2025, they were everywhere. From their collaboration with Homme + Femme to partnerships with Nike, Jordan and Power Horse, the brand kept proving that Ghanaian streetwear is a global force.
From pop-ups at Street Souk in Lagos to appearances around London and New York Fashion Week, FTY turned every city into a runway. Their football jersey collaboration with Djibril Cissé merged sport and style, while their ambitious tour announcement across Lagos, South Africa, Gabon, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Benin and Ethiopia showed just how far the movement has travelled.
The FTY Block Party and rave sealed the deal between culture, fashion, music and youth energy all in one place. Free The Youth led the streets this year.
DYE LAB
When you hear “Dye Lab”, you instantly picture colourful adire boubous, comfy oversized pants, agbadas and what not.
The flexibility of the pieces is a big part of what made it rock hard – concerts, brunch, church, errands, Dye Lab just works.
The extent of the brand’s influence is evident in the streets of Nigeria.
Knockoffs have springed up in every corner. All of a sudden, it’s cool to wear adire pants and dresses, we can draw a straight line from Dye Lab’s influence to the adire trend that rocked 2025.
Outside Nigeria, Africans and non Africans alike itched to get their hands on their pieces. Forget cultural appropriation, this is culture appreciation.
From providing the outfits for over 600 wedding guests from around the world to sold out pop ups in cities like Abuja, Dakar, Accra, Abidjan, Kampala, Cotonou, Johannesburg, London, Paris, Houston, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas and cities across Canada, Dye Lab showed us what it really means to be a viral sensation.
By collaborating with top brands like Samsung, Kai Collective, NBDA and Art X, to international magazine features and exhibiting during Japan Fashion Week at Tranoï Tokyo 2025 – Dye Lab also defined what motion meant this year.
Some of their moments this year felt almost unreal: creating custom prints for the Coronation of the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oyo State, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, designing exclusive colourways for the royal family and kinsmen; styling a red carpet look for a film’s UK premiere; creating custom milestone prints to celebrate a decade of hansandrene; and landing international features in ELLE Côte d’Ivoire, Vogue Netherlands and the Financial Times.
