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Celebrating two African designers whose work recently appeared in Vogue

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Senegalese fashion label Diarrablu, editorial shoot.
Senegalese fashion label Diarrablu, editorial shoot.

Vogue authorities were not kidding when they said they've got their eye on African designers and creatives. This has become even more evident with all the recognition they've been giving to South African fashion.

This is not to say that African talent only matters when international headhonchos finally cast their gaze on them, but it's always a moment worth applauding when our local designers make their mark globally.

READ MORE: We're celebrating Palesa Mokubung's Mantsho as they make fashion history as the first African label to collaborate with the H&M brand 

And this week, two designers that got a nod from Vogue were Cape Town-based designer Mzukisi Mbane of Imprint ZA, and Senegalese designer Diarra Bousso of Diarrablu. 

This, therefore, serves as testimony to what Suzy Menkes said in conversation with W24 earlier this month when she said she "believes that African designers - like others across the world, will all make it into magazines - if their work and their attitude merits it".

READ MORE: This is what a Vogue editor has to say about where South Africa is headed in terms of luxury fashion

And one such African designer whose work has merited an appearance in Vogue is Diarra Bousso. In the June issue of Vogue U.S, this Senegalese founder of DIARRABLU, who calls herself a "creative mathematician," has one of her swimsuits modelled by Kendall Jenner in an editorial shot by Oliver Hardlee Pearch. 

In the shoot styled by Carlos Nazario, Kendall pairs DIARRABLU's KUDIA tie dye indigo print swimsuit with a draped polka-dot Balenciaga top and Alexander Wang earrings. 

The image has not yet been posted on Vogue's Instagram account, but the leggy Kardashian-Jenner has shared it on her personal page.

View this post on Instagram

@voguemagazine by @oliverhadleepearch

A post shared by Kendall (@kendalljenner) on

The Sillicon Valley-based designer has taken much delight in her Vogue moment for a shoot, which the publication boasts that it features "summer's coolest swimwear".

I mean, who wouldn't?

About the brand: DIARRABLU's mission is to iterate for sustainability while highlighting the African continent’s rich colors and unique patterns through practical and versatile pieces designed using mathematical concepts or algorithms. 

READ MORE: From Naomi Campbell to Rich Mnisi's Sunday hats, this is everything we loved about Arise Fashion Week in Lagos 

A reputable designer who needs no formal introduction is Imprint ZA, who regularly dresses South Africa's top celebrities for events such as the polo and the races. 

Mzukisi created a stir on the runway at AFI Fashion Week with his show that paid homage to his Xhosa heritage, wowoing fashion industry bigwigs. And now, it appears that one his creations shot by Cologne/Düsseldorf-based photographer LeFu, has been featured in Vogue Italia. 

The designer accompanied the post with a very fitting hashtag for this moment - #Leaveamark - and that is exactly what he has done thus far in his career.

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