Beyoncé’s love affair with Tongoro, Sarah Diouf’s range of elegant separates, began back in July, during the star’s Italian family vacation when alongside pieces from Versace and Fendi, she wore a luxe patterned jumpsuit and silk tunic from the label. While in Johannesburg, Beyoncé couldn’t get enough of Diouf’s creations, wearing both the Maliki power suit, a black-and-white trouser-and-blouse combination, and the Zanzi set, which features flared pants and a floral motif. An entrepreneur and designer, Diouf launched her website in 2016 to harness the Internet’s global audience. The move was a savvy one: Each piece is made in the brand’s Dakar, Senegal, atelier, but 68 percent percent of sales comes straight from the United States.
Leave it to Beyoncé to end the year on a high note. It’s been two weeks since she rocked the crowd at Global Citizen’s Mandela 100 concert, but the superstar chose to wait before sharing images of her time spent off-duty in Johannesburg. More than a travel diary, the Instagram update she posted earlier this week serves as an introduction to some of the most talented designers from across the continent. Onstage she may have utilized custom pieces from European brands like Versace and Mary Katrantzou to pay homage to the festival’s theme, but during her free time, Mrs. Carter sought out local creators with the help of stylists Zerina Akers and Peju Famojure.
The resulting outfits were beautiful, but their impact goes beyond how good they looked. By placing the spotlight on creatives from across the African continent, Beyoncé enlivened her wardrobe and introduced her many followers to a whole new set of covetable labels. In the current fashion economy, red carpet, street style, and social media snapshots are increasingly important entrance points for brands looking to reach the next level. When the biggest star in the world is willing and eager to use her platform to start a conversation about which designers deserve attention, it sets a powerful example. Here, a primer on the talents behind Beyoncé’s South African wardrobe.