From London to Lagos, the girlies have been dripped down and shutting it down, all thanks to our favourite African designers! September and October always bring so much excitement in the fashion world. For those of us living in the West, it’s fall, which happens to be my personal favorite season. The air is cooler, the coats come out, and fashion week takes over with the return of so many brands showcasing on runways and online. Designers everywhere seem to be dropping new collections and teasing us with unexpected pieces. I Cannot lie, in the past few weeks alone I’ve probably saved over 50 new products to my Instagram wishlist, and I’ve narrowed them down to my top five African and Afro diaspora brands for October.

1. KAI COLLECTIVE

Fisayo Longe is honestly running my pockets dry at this point. I’m seriously considering starting a Kai Collective savings account because she just keeps delivering. Last year, the brand introduced their very first handbag called ‘London’. It was a large, structured beauty made from pure leather and finished with a bold gold emblem on the front. Naturally, it sold out within hours. Throughout 2025, Fisayo kept us on our toes by teasing a smaller version of this bag on her socials, and this October she finally released it under the name ‘Little London’…... how adorbs?!

The new bag dropped in three variations: a rich chocolate brown suede, a jewel toned purple suede, and a smooth burgundy leather. Each version feels like a completely different mood, which is probably why I struggled to pick just one. But, I’d probably go for the chocolate brown because it’s the kind of shade that works with almost everything in my wardrobe, especially in autumn when my wardrobe leans heavily towards dark neutrals. It’s sleek, versatile, and has that subtle luxurious feel. Kai Collective continues to prove that they know how to create pieces that balance classic styles with contemporary flair, and this bag is just another example of why they are one of the most talked about brands right now.

LITTLE LONDON SUEDE MINI HANDBAG - CHOCOLATE BROWN

2. STELLA YEDIA

If you want to be snatched, Stella Yedia is the brand to do it. I’ve been following her work for a while now and the dress that recently stopped me in my tracks is the Firi Mini Dress. It is not necessarily the first piece you’d think of for Autumn, since most people associate Fall with layers and longer hems, but the beauty of this dress is how versatile it is. It is tightly fitted at the waist which makes it super flattering, and the detailed beading across the bodice makes it feel so regal. To top it off, the matching headscarf also has beading which ties the entire look together beautifully, and it comes with a neck scarf as well!

I can already see myself styling it in an unconventional way for Fall. Imagine wearing the deep pomegranate toned dress as a top layered over wide barrel leg jeans in mustard or khaki green. Add on a pair of pointed burgundy kitten heels, a trench coat worn open (so the fit can be seen properly duhh), and layer on thick chunky gold accessories. Throw in the matching beaded headscarf and some oversized chocolate tinted sunglasses and you’ve got a LOOK hunnay. Of course, I would also wear the dress as is, without the layering. The streets of London may be cold, but what’s a breeze to a baddie??

3. OMOL

I genuinely do not understand why more people are not talking about the Totem collection from OMOL. The designer, Nathalie, who is from Cameroon, has created one of the most original footwear concepts I’ve seen in a while. The original Totem shoes were strappy sandals crafted from supple leather, with the standout feature being the sculptural heels shaped like a traditional African mask. These carved heels gave the collection such a strong sense of cultural storytelling and identity while still keeping the design sleek and wearable.

Now OMOL has expanded the line with what they are calling Totem 1.2, which takes the same heel concept but brings it to a whole new level with mid-calf boots. The boots are FOIN!! They come in three variations: a matte burgundy leather, a sleek all black version, and a black one with gold studs running down the entire body of the boot. They were showcased at Paris Fashion Week this season and easily stole the show. They are not available for purchase yet which honestly just leaves me and every other shoe lover waiting impatiently. Until then, all we can do is dream about pairing them with oversized coats, slinky dresses, or whatever else deserves that kind of drama.

4. HANIFA

I first discovered Hanifa back in 2020 during lockdown when Anifa shocked the fashion industry by presenting her collection through a fully virtual Clo 3D fashion show. It was groundbreaking and instantly put the brand on my radar. Since then, she has not disappointed, always coming back with collections that are bold, colourful, and deeply feminine. This October she released her Fall Winter 2025 collection and, as expected, it’s a feast for the eyes. Her use of fuchsias, greens, and jewel toned hues always manages to make her collections feel fresh, powerful and almost edible!

The piece that stood out to me the most was the ‘Naomi fur coat’. It is structured with leather boning that pulls in the waist and elongates the body, while the oversized eighties inspired shoulder pads give it that strong dramatic flair. It’s the kind of coat that doesn’t just keep you warm, but makes an entrance! I would pair it with the ‘Cori knit pants’ in the deep red grape shade from the same collection, and finish the outfit with the Little London mini handbag in purple suede. I would be fashionably late on purpose chile.

5. HERTNUBA

Something happens as we grow older. Our frontal lobe develops and our fashion palettes expand. You begin to appreciate clothing not just for trendiness but for its artistry and how it makes you feel. I never thought I’d become a kaftan or mumu dress girly-pop, but Hertnuba changed my mind completely and now it’s all I want! The Hertnuba piece that has me on chokehold right now is the ‘Acha Tangerine Kaftan’. She is bold, free flowing, and so effortlessly elegant. Even though it was originally designed as a summer piece, I can already picture it as the perfect holiday dress during the colder months when you’re escaping somewhere sunny, (which I obviously plan on doing)…

I would wear it with the most audacious oversized sunhat known to man and accessorise it with a cocktail in hand. That is the kind of outfit that makes you feel untouchable. Honestly, I want to start collecting kaftans now so that one day when I am lounging around the house in my fluffy slippers, I can live out my dream of being the hot, glamorous housewife who dresses like every day is a vacation. Until then, the Acha Tangerine Kaftan is definitely on my wishlist as a reminder that style should always be fun, easy, and just a little bit extra.

Those are my top five wishlist pieces this month! For November I’ll be turning my attention to Zimbabwean brands since I’ll be heading home, and I cannot wait to put together a list that shows off some of my hometown faves! Which pieces are you feeling this season?

October Wishlist: My Top 5 Afro-Centric Brands to Look Out For