Loza Maléombho
Côte d'Ivoire
Loza Maléombho is a high end Ivorian fashion brand founded in New York in 2009 and relaunched in Abidjan in 2012. It makes ready to wear, shoes, accessories and homeware that bridge African aesthetics and contemporary fashion.
| Founded | 2009, New York |
|---|---|
| Relaunched | 2012, Abidjan |
| Base | Plateau, Abidjan |
| Museum holding | Victoria and Albert Museum |
| Website | lozamaleombho.com |
What is Loza Maléombho?
Loza Maléombho is the eponymous label of a designer born in Brazil who grew up between Abidjan and Maryland and studied Fine Art and Animation at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The brand describes itself as a high end African designer label that bridges an African aesthetic with contemporary fashion.
History
Maléombho founded the brand in New York in 2009, then moved to Abidjan, her mother's homeland, and relaunched it there in 2012, with the goal of creating something with social impact in Côte d'Ivoire.
Products and positioning
Collections draw on cultural traditions from across Africa, with power dressing as a central theme and recurring gold mask motifs. The current offer includes clothing, unisex pieces, women's shoes, accessories and a home and furniture collection.
The Victoria and Albert Museum holds an Autumn/Winter 2019 ensemble inspired by the Akan warriors and the Dahomey Amazons. Kelly Rowland wore that look in 2019, and Beyoncé wore a Loza Maléombho design in the 2020 film Black Is King.
Why it matters
The brand is one of the most visible names in Ivorian fashion, with museum recognition and global celebrity exposure while producing from Abidjan.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Loza Maléombho based?
The brand is based in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where it was relaunched in 2012 after starting in New York.
Who wore Loza Maléombho?
Beyoncé wore a Loza Maléombho design in Black Is King, and Kelly Rowland wore one of its ensembles at a 2019 gala.