Meet 5 African jewellery designers transforming accessory fashion

Jewellery in Africa is changing, not just as a form of adornment, but as a way for designers to express culture, identity, and creativity. Across the continent, designers are experimenting with materials, shapes, and techniques to create accessories that feel personal and contemporary.

These five designers show how African jewellery can be both modern and rooted in tradition. They work with a range of pieces—from necklaces and earrings to bags, turbans, and bracelets—and their designs reflect their own stories and backgrounds. Each of them approaches their craft in a unique way, turning everyday materials into accessories that people want to wear and connect with.

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Azza Fahmy

Azza Fahmy blends heritage and innovation to transform accessory fashion with pieces that tell stories through design. Drawing on Arabic calligraphy, Pharaonic symbols, and folk motifs, her jewellery turns tradition into wearable art. She was the first woman to train in Cairo’s historic Khan El Khalili jewellery quarter, and this foundation informs her meticulous craftsmanship. Fahmy combines this expertise with contemporary vision, producing rings, necklaces, and bracelets that feel both timeless and modern. Her work demonstrates how African and Middle Eastern cultural references can be reinterpreted in ways that influence style far beyond borders.

Gbenga Ayo-Dada

Gbenga Ayo-Dada is shaping accessory fashion in Africa through his innovative approach to design. Since picking up jewellery making in 2005 and pursuing professional training in 2007, he has turned his passion into a creative force that extends beyond necklaces, beads, and earrings to include statement bags, turbans, and belts. His pieces combine contemporary aesthetics with African cultural heritage, making them both artistic and wearable. Ayo-Dada’s work has become a staple in Nollywood, with his jewellery featured in films such as The Wedding Party 1 & 2 and Kind of Boys, while international recognition has taken him to London and Paris Fashion Weeks. Through his designs, he continues to push the boundaries of African accessory fashion.

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Ami Doshi Shah

Ami Doshi Shah is transforming accessory fashion with bold, sculptural designs that turn unconventional materials into wearable art. Born in Mombasa, Kenya, to a family of South Indian heritage, she trained in Jewellery and Silversmithing at the Birmingham School of Art & Design in the UK, graduating in 2001 and receiving the Goldsmith Award for Best Apprentice Designer. After apprenticeships in Mumbai and Jaipur and a period in the advertising industry, Shah returned to Kenya to launch her eponymous practice in 2015, driven by a growing appreciation for locally made designs. Her work transforms materials such as aged brass, salt crystals, sisal rope, and volcanic rock into striking pieces that feel both raw and refined. In 2019, she represented Kenya at a special program during London Fashion Week, and she was also recognized as the sole jewellery designer invited from around the world.

Dion Dewand Marcia Lafalaise

Dion Dewand Marcia Lafalaise, the creative force behind Lafalaise Dion, is transforming accessory fashion by turning traditional West African materials into contemporary statement pieces. Based in Abidjan, she draws inspiration from the Dan culture of Côte d’Ivoire, particularly cowrie shells, using them in jewellery, clothing, hats, and even panties. Known as the self-proclaimed Queen of Cowries, Lafalaise uses her creations to explore African spirituality and challenge the stigma it has faced over centuries. Her work gained global recognition when Beyoncé wore her ‘Lagbaja’ mask in Black Is King, and her ‘Mami Watta’ series became part of the V&A Museum’s permanent collection.

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Phathi Katurah Hlongwane

Phathi Katurah Hlongwane is redefining accessory fashion by merging architectural precision with African design. Originally from Zimbabwe, she studied architecture at the University of Cape Town and completed postgraduate studies at Wits in Johannesburg, but she eventually left the field to pursue fashion. Through her label, Inkaturah, she transforms materials like brass, fabric, and glass beads into bold, unconventional jewellery that extends beyond necklaces and earrings to bracelets and statement pieces. Each creation reflects her personality and cultural heritage, turning accessories into expressions of identity.

Esther Emoekpere is a data analyst in the audience engagement department at BusinessDay, where she uses data to understand reader behaviour, spot unusual trends, and support the newsroom with insights that shape story performance. She holds a BSc in Statistics from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

She also with the BD Weekender team, where she covers a range of beats including profiles, food, lifestyle, restaurants, and fashion—creating stories shaped by audience interest and real-time engagement trends.

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