Tessy Oliseh-Amaize Redefines African Fashion at Philly Fashion Week 2024 (PHOTOS)

PHILADELPHIA, USA – Washington D.C.-based Nigerian designer Tessy Oliseh-Amaize continues to push the boundaries of African fashion, making a powerful statement at Philly Fashion Week 2024 with her 16-piece collection that merges traditional African prints with avant-garde luxury.

The collection, presented under her high-end bespoke brand Tesslo, builds on the success of her “Africa to the World” debut at the Ankara Festival in Los Angeles, and showcases her mission to elevate African fabrics on the global fashion stage.

“I want to change stereotypes around African fashion,” Oliseh-Amaize said in an email to The Trent after the show.

“Outside Africa, when people hear ‘African prints,’ it’s as if they expect something primitive or poorly made. I’m rebelling against that. African fashion is rich, diverse, and deserves to be seen as sophisticated and high-quality.

“You can call me a cultural rebel. But I believe it’s time to redefine what people expect from African fashion and to normalize expecting the highest level of craftsmanship from African designers using these fabrics.”

Oliseh-Amaize’s Philly Fashion Week presentation marked a bold evolution of the “Africa to the World” line.

Her innovative approach combines African cultural motifs with forward-thinking menswear designs that appeal to a global audience.

The collection featured intricately structured coats, embroidered jackets, high-neck capes, and precision-tailored trousers, all inspired by the regal imagery of the Oba of Benin, the Emir of Kano, and the Guérewol festival of the Wodaabe tribe in Niger.

These references to African tradition were seamlessly blended with a modern, luxurious aesthetic.

Fashion industry heavyweights were in attendance, including Mickey Boardman, editorial director of Paper Magazine; international fashion consultant Nicole Fischelis; and Project Runway star Prajjé Oscar.

Philly Fashion Week CEOs Kevin Parker and Kerry Scott also played an integral role in curating what has become one of the most talked-about events of the season.

The designs were brought to life by a dynamic cast of models, including actor and model Sergio Delavicci, known for his role in John Wick 3.

The vibrant Afrobeat soundtrack, paired with the models’ commanding runway presence, highlighted Tesslo’s fusion of African and Western fashion aesthetics.

“I want to see Africans in the diaspora and non-Africans, whether in Tokyo, Paris, or São Paulo, wearing Ankara outfits—not just because they’re colorful or culturally appropriate, but because they are timeless, functional, and well-made,” Oliseh-Amaize emphasised.

“That’s my vision for this collection: fashion that starts with African inspiration but speaks to the world.”

Oliseh-Amaize’s collection has set a new benchmark for African fashion on the global stage, demonstrating that African prints can stand alongside the world’s most sophisticated and luxurious designs.

Her work challenges long-held stereotypes and positions African fashion as an emerging leader in global design trends.

She reshapes the narrative and invites diverse audiences to embrace African prints as symbols of elegance and craftsmanship.

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