Ivorian designer Loza Maléombho’s latest collection, first shared on her Instagram account, is proof of why it would be sacrilege to call her a designer of the moment even after getting the nod from Vogue, being featured in an H&M ad and having her clothes worn by Beyoncé’s squad in the Formation video.
Her seven-year-old eponymous label might not be well known outside the internet, where her face and clothes dominate Tumblr pages and Instagram reposts since 2009 she has consistently reimagined the shape and make-up of the sartorial by using strange silhouettes, a cut-out here and a drop-waist there.
Her signature shapes, which could be compared with Phyllis Galembo’s photographs, are rooted in a homage to Africa and its relationship with the internet, the medium that has superseded all others in portraying a true image of young, Africa pop culture.
Her clothes are available at online store notjustalabel.com or directly from her at sales@lozamaleombho