Best Products Style Fashion This Site Gives Independent African Designers a Global Platform Industrie Africa leverages technology to connect designers on the continent with luxury style lovers around the world. By Travel + Leisure Editors Travel + Leisure Editors Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 14, 2022 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Instagram Website Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, spirits, wine, food, and culture. Outside of Travel + Leisure, her work has appeared in USA Today, Elite Traveler, Forbes, Wine Enthusiast, Michelin guides, and Hemispheres, among others. Travel + Leisure Fact Checking Process Share Tweet Pin Email When Tanzanian curator and storyteller Nisha Kanabar founded Industrie Africa, her mission was to challenge misconceptions about her homeland and introduce consumers to African high fashion. Since 2018, the online store has made it possible to shop the best designs from across the continent, like sculptural swimsuits from Nigerian label Andrea Iyamah and artful resort wear from Tanzanian designer Doreen Mashika. From left: dresses by Doreen Mashika, from $200; KikoRomeo’s Blinky jumpsuit, $345. Courtesy of Industrie Africa But beyond creating an e-commerce site, Kanabar also wanted to provide education for shoppers and exposure for designers. That's why Industrie launched IA Connect — a platform that includes a comprehensive designer index with in-depth spotlights on more than 80 emerging and established fashion figures. These include Nigerian textile artist Lisa Folawiyo, South African designer Lukhanyo Mdingi, and Kenyan jeweler and silversmith Ami Doshi Shah; each page has a detailed overview of the creator and their brand, along with look books, contact info, accolades, and press coverage. Clockwise from left: Lisa Folawiyo pleated coatdress, $1,080; Dapple earrings by Ami Doshi Shah, $275; Tongoro Folo set, exclusive to Industrie Africa, $240; made-to-order Loza Maleombho Koh sandals, $135; Khokho Collection Lindi minaudière bag, $385. Courtesy of Industrie Africa In addition, IA Connect features the first-ever African Fashion Calendar, a lineup of the most important industry events on the continent and beyond, from the Lagos Leather Fair to Kampala Fashion Week. "IA Connect will be an authoritative resource, taking what we're already doing and going a step further, digging a little deeper," Kanabar says. "Industry insiders are finally able to navigate the African fashion landscape in an intuitive, professionalized way. And locally, we're able to support the next generation of talent." A version of this story first appeared in the July 2021 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline The World of Fashion Is Getting Wider. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit