Meet the EFI Designer Accelerator brands
Hamaji
Kenya, 2021-2022 Kenya Accelerator
Loved for their exquisite craftsmanship, Hamaji is a truly inspired representation of coastal Kenya’s beauty and lifestyle. A focus on indigenous handcraft makes this brand a true expression of its origins: Every collection is produced in Kenya by local craftspeople, with a priority placed on women in rural areas, existing artisans who are now empowered to earn a living from their traditional craft.
Suave
Kenya, 2021-2022 Kenya Accelerator
Suave Kenya is an East African youth culture brand, crafting bags and accessories for the modern urban lifestyle. Suave is about style-conscious storytelling, love for the continent, and a whole lot of play. The label is also about doing business ethically, fairly and with their eye on the long game.
Katush
Kenya, 2021-2022 Kenya Accelerator
Katush is an everyday superhero — a conscious and compassionate leisure lifestyle brand, made in Africa for the confident, reflective, self-aware global citizen who values quality, versatility and sustainability in original design.
Laurenceairline
Côte d’Ivoire, 2021-2022 Accelerator
Laurenceairline brings together a path between cultures, drawing contemporary and timeless silhouettes with deep African roots by highlighting both the designer’s care for the people and the environment. Laurenceairline manages all production in-house, producing sustainable collections with their team of tailors from Bassam whilst sourcing most of their fabrics from local markets, contributing to the local community and creating relationships of trust.
Ohiri Studio
Côte d’Ivoire, 2021-2022 Accelerator
OHIRI is a creative studio that engages ancient arts and know-how in a contemporary universe. Their approach is to understand the symbolism of the jewel in certain ancient cultures and to reinterpret it through different mediums, making free and abstract interpretations. Sensitive to the issue of the environment, and with a degree in sustainable development economics, Akébéhi strives to do everything in her power to ensure that their project is sustainable and respectful of the environment and people.
Kente Gentlemen
Côte d’Ivoire, 2021-2022 Accelerator
Established in 2017, Kente Gentlemen is first and foremost a clothing brand, with each piece tailored in unique style and contemporary design.
With a focus on upcycling, recycling and respecting the engagements made within their local cooperatives, the brand prides itself on sustainability and community engagement in its town of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Atelier VO
Benin, 2021-2022 Accelerator
Atelier V.O is a brand created by VESTIAIRE ORIGINAL, both a concept store located in Cotonou, Benin, dedicated to lifestyle brands made in Africa, as well as a RTW designer label. The store selects independent African brands, favouring those that enhance knowledge and local raw materials in order to impact their region. Morayo wishes to develop a conscious brand according to a circular model by sourcing textiles exclusively made in Africa, and by working with local artisans while ensuring their well-being.
Oudy K
Mali, 2021-2022 Accelerator
Oudy Keita is a successful Mali-based entrepreneur having both founded a concept store featuring garments, salon, restaurant, pool and co-working space in Bamako, whilst also launching an Afropolitan designer brand for men and women produced in the city. The founder offers minimalist and sophisticated clothing that will highlight the wearer and serve as an extension of their personality. Raw materials and the decision to produce locally (made in Mali) set the brand apart and reflect the integration of the UN’s SDGs into their production and ethos.
Maota Studio
Mali, 2021-2022 Accelerator
Based in Bamako, Mali, Maöta Studio is a community of artisans developing natural dyes and sustainable textile designs using traditional Malian methods with modern approaches that have a positive impact on people and the planet. The brand is a social enterprise with sustainability at its core, specialising in sustainable textile designs working towards natural matters and using artisanal techniques.
Meet the Alumni
Lukhanyo Mdingi
South Africa, 2020-2021 Accelerator
With a profound interest in considered and sincere design, the spirit of collaboration and pursuit of purpose yields the Lukhanyo Mdingi label in creating honest pieces.
Jiamini
Kenya, 2020-2021 Accelerator
Founded by Jennifer Mulli in 2016, Jiamini is a family-run Kenyan jewellery & leather goods brand bringing traditional craft, contemporary style, and uncompromising fine materials together. The result is bold, sensory, timeless luxury for global women, embodied in pieces that command attention and fit right into modern life. Jiamini accessories inspire pride, joy and personal confidence.
Margaux Wong
Burundi, 2020-2021 Accelerator
Amazonian low-waste values meet precious East African materials diverted from a waste-bound path at Margaux Wong, an artisanal luxury jewellery and accessories brand founded in 2000 creating treasurable, distinctive artwear.
