The LVMH-prize finalist is redefining African luxury
Kenneth Ize’s name is on everyone’s lips. The Nigerian fashion designer and finalist for this year’s prestigious LVMH Prize, whose pieces have been worn by Naomi Campbell and Donald Glover, is giving a luxury finish to local artisanal aesthetics, rendering them desirable for high-end markets both at home and abroad. Born in Lagos, Kenneth Ize is using his cross-cultural experiences to produce new contemporary forms in the Nigerian fashion industry. The designer received his fashion and design diploma in 2015, at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, under Hussein Chalayan.
In this same year, Izedonmwen also received the Fred Adlmüller scholarship during his graduation show. Kenneth officially launched his fashion brand in Lagos in 2013, immediately after his 3 years in university in which Bernhard Wilhelm headed the fashion department.
The African fashion industry is rising
His knowledge and diverse experience – from assisting Edun to Asher Levine in New York – has flourished Kenneth into a talented creator. He is utilising his international expertise to contribute to an emerging Nigerian fashion industry, being recognised as a key player during Lagos fashion and design week for three consecutive years.
“The African fashion industry is rising due largely to personal stories that are uniquely narrated to create a space for diversity and culture, most of this can be seen in local craftmanship and hand made techniques.”
