Fashion lovers! If you’re anything like me, you probably scroll through Instagram or flip through magazines dreaming about outfits that don’t just look good but actually tell a story. Enter designer Sunshine Rosman, a designer who’s turning heads and hearts with her unique take on African-inspired fashion.
She stitches the fabrics together; soul, rhythm, and the unapologetic exuberance of the African woman are woven very much into them. Believe me, once you brush through her world, you will regret ever having existed without it.
Imagine this: growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, surrounded by markets, colorful ankara prints, and women walking with grace, carrying all the burdens of the world on their heads both literally and figuratively. “I always remember my grandmother wrapping herself with such elegance,” she said while sipping coffee with me last month. “It was never about trends; it was about life, connection to your roots.” That is where she was sparked. After her fashion design studies in Paris, she returned home with a fresh point of view, merging European minimalism with loud African motifs. But the trick is she is not diluting the culture; she is giving it volume.
She is doing exactly that in her current collection, “Rhythms of the Savanna.” Picture flowing maxi dresses of earthy terracotta and indigo hues, embellished with beadwork that takes inspiration from traditional tribal patterns.
A prime example of this is the asymmetrical top and wide-leg trouser outfit in 100% sustainable cotton from farmers in Ghana. Perfect for lounging during a day out yet elegant enough for dinner and drinks afterward.
To me, the greatest thing is her way of orienting the garments toward movement, letting the fabric sway as if dancing to a faint drumbeat. “African women have this rhythm in their hearts,” says Sunshine, laughing again, “A multitasker, a warrior, a dreamer; that energy of my clothes is a celebration of.“
But let’s get real for a second. The fast fashion era we live in is where she is putting her foot down. She’s an advocate for ethical production, working with artisan cooperatives in Kenya and Senegal to ensure fair pay and sustainable practices.
Lagos Fashion Week proved a viral moment for her last year: None could have guessed that her models would strut down the runway to the sound of Afrobeat, and the crowd went crazy. It was about making a statement practically more than just a show. “Fashion should empower, not exploit,” she asserts. And the assurance her pieces give speaks loud volumes. When I put on one of her scarves, I felt suddenly like I could take on the world.
Sunshine’s journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Early on, she faced all this skepticism from the so-called enlightened who told her that African prints are too “niche” for the international market. But she fought and progressed; today, her brand runs from a small studio to an international sensation. Celebrities like Lupita Nyong’o even have Hollywood A-list folks into the glitz.
