The Curation: 7 Gender-Neutral Fashion Brands to Know

Demand for fashion that doesn’t conform to traditional notions of gender is on the rise, and it is only set to get bigger in the coming years. Industry projections suggest the global market for unisex or genderless fashion will grow by 4.5% annually, reaching $3.2 billion by 2028.

Typical gender stereotypes are being put to rest as more designers are exploring unisex clothing and inclusive designs in their collections. From sizing to material choices, they are taking on the charge to create apparel made for both masculine and feminine body types.

When it comes to meeting the demand, small and independent designer brands are breaking through in this regard, creating collections that allow for a unique personal expression through fashion. Reinterpreting classics using African-inspired textile-making and contemporary design, these brands revolve around self-expression, inclusivity and representation.

Retailers have started to take notice, too, from Urban Outfitters’ dedicated non-binary section to H&M’s Unisex Shop, which offers standard gendered sizing. 

Here, we highlight seven designers making waves with their fresh takes on gender-neutral clothing.

Kente Gentlemen

Abidjan-based Kente Gentlemen is a contemporary apparel and accessories brand founded by Aristide Loua in 2017. With a focus on durability and ethical production, the brand works with local artisans and tailors to create made-to-order collections at its in-house atelier. Kente Gentlemen’s offerings, which range from eye-catching hand-dyed cotton shirts to sleek overcoats and its signature striped Baba and Soke suit, evoke Black Dandyism and jazz sensibilities.

Cute-Saint

The brainchild of Nigerian designer Femi Ajose, Cute-Saint is a thoughtful genderless brand, aimed at telling the much-ignored African narrative and practices through colors, textures, shapes and lines, while bridging the gap between luxury and affordability. Cute-Saint takes pride in creating authentic, stylish and functional designs for individuals who feel the need to belong to a culture. Each piece is crafted with locally sourced fabrics and batiks made by local artisans who have mastered their crafts, and with the environment in mind.

Congo Clothing Company

A purpose-driven fashion brand drawing inspiration from the geometric shapes of the 17th century Kuba Kingdom of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congo Clothing Company (also known as CCC) was founded by Milain Fayulu in 2021. The brand was established with a mission to support female survivors of sexual violence in the DRC, doing so by harnessing the power of fashion to tell stories. For example, the zigzag pattern that appears on most of the brand’s designs is there to highlight the perilous and uncertain nature of survivors’ journeys. Its denim jackets are cut in an oversized fit to suit everyone that wear it. The brand dedicates a percentage of its profits to fund training programs and living wages.

Ekantik

Ekantik is a gender-neutral brand that was established in 2018 by Anjali Borkhataria, the creative director and designer. The brand’s objective is to produce practical and authentic clothing that draws inspiration from art and design. A Sanskrit word, Ekantik means “one who overcomes worldly desires”, and it sits at the heart of the brand’s mission to make honest, practical clothing rooted in simplicity, fit and a passion for detail. Taking a utilitarian approach to smart tailoring and a touches of traditional textiles, the result is effortlessly wearable looks that inspired by people, travel, exploration and streetwear, from African-print suits to sleeveless blazers and shirt dresses.

BLOKE

Founded in 2015 by creative director Faith Oluwajimi, Lagos-based brand BLOKE is known for its genderless collections, which are striking for their easy-to-wear qualities and artful characteristics. Oluwajimi employs manufacturing processes that breathe new life into age-old techniques by making use of hand-dyed fabrics, colorful knitwear and hand-embroidered stitches. A semi-finalist for this year’s LVMH Prize, BLOKE has been praised for its “ethically made garments that champion inclusivity and collaboration.” Its designs are created with impeccable attention to textile fabrication, color and craftsmanship. 

Kali Works 

“Our products are for everybody” according to Kali Works, a Canadian-based brand with Kenyan and Batswana roots that creates bold African-inspired apparel. From knit sweaters to printed short sets, each Kali Works design is created as a conversational, storytelling motif about the breadth and depth of the founders’ African cultures. Promoting cultural appreciation rather than appropriation, the brand has made a habit of collaborating with artists and producers from all over Africa and the diaspora to create culturally and artistically respectful pieces that loos great on everyone, regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.

Orange Culture

Adebayo Oke-Lawal, founder and designer of Nigerian brand Orange Culture, strives to tell stories that reflect the harsh history of the oppression of androgynous individuals through the wearable art that he creates. His designs are more than just clothes, it’s a movement, as Oke-Lawal puts it. With a willingness to push boundaries, the brand’s androgynous garments are made for anyone interested in telling a story with the way they present themselves. All pieces are manufactured in Lagos with ethically sourced fabrics from local Nigerian fabric makers, ranging from woven textiles and vegan leather to faux furs.

Words by Siima Itabaaza, The Folklore Team