BY EDITORIAL
March 3, 2022

Anifa Mvuemba wearing her collection © Hanifa

Known as an artistically diverse people among other things, Congolese all around the world have used their inherited creativity coupled with day-to-day inspirations to create the most beautiful chef-d’oeuvres in various sectors. Here, we’ve decided to focus on Congolese creativity in fashion. Check out this list of designer brands (upcoming and established) that we think you need to shop now.

Hanifa

The founder’s name Anifa, pronounced Hanifa in Arabic translates to ‘true believer.’ In 2012, self-taught Congolese designer Anifa Mvuemba founded the brand with the goal to create designs that illuminate natural curves using bold colors, captivating designs and unique textures. The brand which celebrates Anifa’s Congolese heritage and love for fashion, has also become a voice on the issue of child labor in the mining industry in her country of origin, the DRCongo. The founder first publicly spoke on this during her May 2020 virtual show for the release of her PinkLabel Congo collection.

The brand has since been featured on InStyle, Vogue, New York Times, Essence, Harper’s Bazaar, Forbes and many others. Famous personalities such as Zendaya, Gabrielle Union, Didi-Stone Olomide, Mary J. Blige, Megan Thee Stallion are regulars of the brand.
For more, visit: www.hanifa.com

243 Designer

The brand was founded by the 25 year-old designer known as F_Baby27 on Instagram. The designs are mostly made from silk fabric and are perfect especially for warm temperatures.
For more, visit: www.243designer.com

Victor Otem

The brand was founded by its namesake and creates gorgeous customizable and ready-to-wear pieces for men and women. Check out this brand to have your dream outfits made for you!
For more, visit the brand’s page below!

Uchawi World

The brand was founded by creative director and stylist Laetitia Kandolo who is known for styling famous music artists such as Fally Ipupa and Heritier Watanabe. The word Uchawi translates to ‘magic’ in swahili while the brand represents a state of mind with ideas that “reflects the optimism, joy, hope, courage, strength of a youth who wishes to express themselves and claim their multiple identities while remaining graceful.”
Some personalities we have seen wearing the brand’s designs are Serge Ibaka, Ika De Jong, Hiro, Noella Coursaris Musunka, and Young Paris.
For more, visit: www.uchawiworld.com

Okitobrand

Okitobrand, named after its founder Gaby Okito, started in 2014. The Okapi, a rare specie found only in the DRCongo, is the featured logo of the brand and is meant to “embody our Congolese roots and defines the rarity of our products.”
Designs by the brand have been worn by personalities such as Distel Zola (soccer player), James Harden (NBA player), Phanuel Kavita (soccer player) and more.
For more, visit: www.okitobrand.com

Misamu Couture

You may have heard of Ruth Misamu, the famous and talented daugther of late gospel singer and fashioin icon, Marie Misamu. Yes, that’s the founder. And did we already say talented? Yes. She is not only gifted with her voice but with her hands too! She designs outfits for traditional weddings, white weddings, you name it.
Check out the brand’s Instagram page below for more!

RM Couture

RM Couture stands for Rachel Mulumba Couture. It was founded by designer, Rachel Mulumba who pursued her haute couture studies at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. The designer makes the most beautiful and classy ready-to-wear outfits for weddings and all other occasions.
Visit the brand’s Instagram account below!

Rehtsecouture

The brand was founded by fashion designer Nancy Bopeya. The brand is well known for its unique and festive designs for weddings and all other occasions. If you have an eye for very beautiful evening gowns, we recommend checking out this brand.
For more, visit: www.rehtsecouture.com

JUA.C

The brand was founded in 2018 by designer Madame Matondo who studied at ISAM (Institut Superieur Des Arts Modernes) in Kinshasa, DRCongo. The brand name Jua C, after her daughter, translates to ‘Sun’ in swahili while C. stands for Cristalle. Through her brand, Madame Matondo wants to help women wear ‘African wax’ a bit differently through her modern designs. The originality of her brand also comes from the use of Kuba fabrics which the designer wanted to incoproate because of its own beautiful designs. Through this journey, the founder also created ‘Le Jardin Clos.’
Personalities such as Ika De Jong and Hiro have been spotted wearing Jua.C designs.
Visit the brand’s Instagram account below!

Madam S

This is the brand for all silk fabric lovers who also love ready-to-wear. It offers beautiful, classy designs fit for any occasion of your choice. Some celebrities have been spotted wearing Madam S designs and we just love it.
For more, visit: www.madam-s.net/

Kinya Creation

Discover Kinya Creation with its beautiful, classy, and unique ready-to-wear designs.
The designs are very versatile and will serve you for any occasion. We have seen Amanda Malela (International Gospel singer) rocking their beautiful designs.
Visit the brand’s page below to shop for yours!

Liputa Swagga

Liputa for African fabric and Swagga for swag. Meet the brand of futuristic African print designs made in Congo Brazzaville by fashion designer and singer commonly knwon as Tchianna. The brand not only has beautiful and colorful designs but it also creates designs that are beyond our expectations of fashion.
The brand has been featured in some of the biggest fashion shows and even appeared in a Canal+ documentary about ‘African wax.’
For more, visit: www.liputaswaggashop.com

Deborah L. Brand

The brand, founded by designer Deborah Lukoki from Kinshasa, has ready-to-wear designs for any occasion of your choice. The brand makes beautiful blazers, coats and more. All with a vibrant mix of colors.
Visit the brand’s Instagram account for more!

Congo Clothing Company

Founded by Milain Fayulu, the brand uses African inspired fabrics to make premium American-style denim jackets using a western minimalist aesthetic. Through this brand, the founder also wanted to “shift the donation paradigm by moving away from the traditional punctual and often desensitized donation format to a more care-based model.” This is achieved by committing 1/3 of funds from the purchases to the Panzi hospital to support their efforts in treating the rape victims of the country’s armed conflict.
Pledge to end rape as a weapon of war by purchasing from the brand.
Visit www.congoclothingco.com

Kahindo NYC

Founded by Kahindo Mateene, the brand goes for a modern take on African inspired fashion. It not only celebrates the founder’s Congolese heritage but it also celebrates the legacy and natural beauty of Africa, through creations that bring excitement to the wardrobe of today’s modern woman. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend you check out Kahindo NYC.
For more, visit www.kahindo