This year’s Business of Fashion 500, the annual index celebrating the most influential voices shaping the global fashion and beauty landscape, marks a defining moment for the continent. Nigerian superstars Tems and Ayra Starr have been inducted into the prestigious BOF Class of 2025, joining a powerful roster of African creatives whose impact now stretches far beyond music, design, and runway moments.
Created by The Business of Fashion (BoF), the BOF 500 is regarded as one of the most respected barometers of cultural and creative influence in the industry. It is a space historically dominated by Europe and North America, which is precisely why this year’s class matters: Africa is no longer adjacent to the fashion conversation – it is seated at its centre.
Here are the African talents whose work, presence, and cultural force earned them a place on this BOF Class of 2025
Tems
Beyond her musical acclaim, Tems has become a prominent high-fashion presence, with standout appearances at the Oscars, Met Gala, and major global premieres. Her bold couture choices, often spotlighting African designers, have positioned her as a modern fashion reference. Recognised by BoF for her international cultural impact and her work as the founder of the Leading Vibe Initiative, her induction reflects her rising status as both a fashion muse and a leadership voice shaping global conversations on creativity and representation.
Grace Ladoja
Grace Ladoja is a Nigerian British culture strategist and the founder of Metallic Inc., a creative company championing African talent to global audiences. She is also the force behind the Homecoming festival in Lagos, a platform launched in 2018 to connect fashion, music, and art while spotlighting emerging African voices. Recognized by BoF for her work in building creative infrastructure and amplifying African stories, her induction reflects her growing influence across the globe.
Ayra Starr
Ayra Starr embodies youthful glamour and Gen Z self-expression, with fashion choices that mirror her sonic confidence. From metallics and micro hems to bold, futuristic silhouettes, her style has made her a standout on the global stage. Beyond her music, she has become a defining fashion voice for her generation, inspiring young people to embrace individuality and personal style. Her inclusion in the BOF Class of 2025 reflects her growing influence as both a cultural and style reference in contemporary fashion.
Wisdom Kaye
Wisdom Kaye is a Nigerian-born model and digital fashion creator, known for his cinematic styling and avant-garde approach to personal style. He has worked with luxury houses including Dior, Fendi, Ralph Lauren, and Coach, and made his Met Gala debut in 2024 wearing Robert Wun. Named by Vogue as “the best-dressed guy on TikTok,” his inclusion in the BOF Class of 2025 underscores the growing influence of digital creators in luxury fashion and his role in shaping how a new generation engages with style.
Awar Odhiang
Awar Odhiang is a South Sudanese model whose rise was anything but effortless before breaking through on the global stage. She has since walked for Chanel, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Schiaparelli, and Miu Miu, and is one of the few African models to have closed a Chanel couture show. Her inclusion in the BOF Class of 2025 recognises her runway success and her role in advancing representation for African models within the fashion industry.
Daniel Obasi
Daniel Obasi is a Nigerian art director, photographer, and stylist known for his Afrofuturist and gender-fluid storytelling across fashion imagery. His work has appeared in Vogue and Dazed, and he contributed to Beyoncé’s Visual Album, Black Is King, alongside campaigns and editorials that challenge traditional narratives around African identity. His inclusion in the BOF Class of 2025 recognises his influence in shaping a new visual era for African fashion and expanding how the continent is seen on the global stage.
Seni Saraki and Teni “Teezee” Zaccheaus
Seni Saraki and Teni “Teezee” Zaccheaus are the co-founders of The Native, a Lagos-based media platform dedicated to spotlighting music, fashion, and youth culture across Africa. Through The Native and its festival Native Land, they have built a cultural ecosystem that documents and defines the visuals, street style, and creative identity of a new generation. Their inclusion in the BOF Class of 2025 recognises their role in shaping the narrative of contemporary African culture and elevating its influence within the global fashion conversation.
Katungulu Mwendwa
Katungulu Mwendwa is a Kenyan fashion designer and the founder of Katush, a contemporary womenswear brand focused on sustainability and locally sourced craftsmanship. Her work blends East African heritage with modern design, promoting ethical production and slow fashion principles. Recognised in the BOF Class of 2025, her induction highlights her role in advancing sustainable fashion from the continent and shaping a more responsible future for African design.
Ibby Njoya
British Cameroonian set and spatial designer Ibby Njoya is the founder of London-based Njoya Studios, where he is known for creating vivid, expressive visual worlds for fashion imagery. His work has appeared in campaigns and editorial projects for houses including Dior, Chanel, Hermès, Dries Van Noten, and Off-White, where he collaborates with leading photographers to craft immersive, sculptural sets. His induction into the BOF Class of 2025 highlights his influence in shaping contemporary fashion visuals and advancing the presence of African talent within luxury spaces.
Mahlet Teklemariam
Mahlet Teklemariam is the founder of Hub of Africa Fashion Week, a platform based in Addis Ababa that showcases and supports emerging designers from across East Africa. Through HAFW, she has expanded visibility and industry access for regional talent, connecting designers with buyers, media, and key fashion stakeholders. Her induction into the BOF Class of 2025 recognises her impact as an ecosystem builder and her role in strengthening fashion infrastructure and opportunity on the continent.
Mamuor Majeng
Mamuor Majeng is a South Sudanese model who has walked for leading luxury houses including Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino, and Bottega Veneta. Known for his commanding runway presence, he has quickly become a standout face in modern menswear. His induction into the BOF Class of 2025 recognises his role in advancing representation for African models and affirming their place on the world’s most influential runways.
Why This Moment Is Monumental
The BOF Class of 2025 marks a meaningful shift in global fashion. For years, African creativity has shaped music, beauty, craftsmanship, and visual culture, yet recognition rarely matched influence. This moment signals something different. Africans are no longer positioned as inspiration or aesthetic reference points. They are now acknowledged as authors, decision makers, and cultural powerhouses within the fashion system.
That significance was on full display in Paris at the BOF 500 Gala during Spring Summer 2026 Fashion Week, where African stars, including Davido, Temi Otedola, and Mr Eazi, were in attendance. Their presence reinforced a simple fact: African talent is not a guest in global fashion, it is part of its centre, its conversation, and its future.
