celebrate international women's day & women's history month with
the khoi business directory
Each week, we highlight new founders and business categories from our growing community. This directory was created to help you discover brands worth supporting and celebrating. When you’re looking for something new, we hope you’ll start here and share these businesses with your community. We’re incredibly grateful to the founders who have trusted us with their stories and proud to feature their work.

KHOI BUSINESS DIRECTORY
The Creatives Behind the Lens and the Look
Fashion is more than clothing. It is storytelling, perspective, and the creative vision that brings every look to life. In this feature, we are spotlighting fashion brands and photographers whose work shapes how style is seen and experienced. From designers creating distinctive pieces to photographers capturing the moments that define a brand, these creatives play an essential role in the visual world of fashion. Discover the artists and founders whose work continues to inspire, create, and move the industry forward.
africa

elikem nyadanu @lanilabel
lani label
Favorite KHOI Product: ANKA TOTE
Lani Label is a fashion brand that launched in May 2025, and is focused on creating handcrafted statement garments made in Ghana. Rooted in originality, storytelling, and intentional design, each piece is thoughtfully developed from concept to final construction, with a strong emphasis on detail and individuality. In addition to garment design, Lani Label also develops original fabrics with unique prints, allowing the brand to create truly exclusive pieces.
Operating primarily on a made to order model, alongside occasional limited releases, the brand maintains a sense of exclusivity while ensuring each garment feels special. We exist to create bold, artistic clothing that stands out and leaves a lasting impression.
Shop online at www.thelanilabel.com

gloria kisilu @_theshaba
the shaba
Favorite KHOI Product: DAME BROOCH
Located in Kenya - We are a women-led fashion accessories brand creating handcrafted sisal bags in partnership with rural communities. Our bags carry the beauty of heritage, refined into contemporary designs that feel both meaningful and modern. Through our work, we celebrate craftsmanship, empower women, and bring timeless, culturally rooted fashion to today’s world.
Shop online at www.theshaba.com

clare asare @azariapparel
azari apparel
Favorite KHOI Product: KEMI EARRING
Located in Ghana - I started Azari Apparel about eight months postpartum, during a time when my body was changing and my style was evolving with it. I had always loved bubus, but while searching for pieces to add to my collection, I realized it was hard to find styles that matched my taste. Many designs were bright and colorful or had structured necklines that stood upright, while I was drawn to softer, more minimal pieces. I began designing monochrome bubus in browns, nudes, and other neutral tones that felt effortless and comfortable.
As I grew more confident in my body again, I expanded into two-piece sets that are easy to wear and adjustable, because as women our bodies shift constantly and our clothes should move with us. My goal with Azari Apparel is to make getting dressed simple for women who want to feel comfortable and put together without overthinking it. Between motherhood and preparing to open my salon, life has been busy in the best way, but I still get excited every time someone orders a piece.

DARKOR OFOSU-DORTE @swimsbydidi
SWIMSBYDIDI
Favorite KHOI Product: LUMI EARRING
SwimsByDidi is a Ghana-based swimwear brand born from a personal frustration with finding bikinis that actually fit. Being more top-heavy with a smaller lower half, I struggled to find swimsuits that felt flattering or supportive, especially in Ghana where most options were conservative printed one-pieces. I was searching for simple, solid-colored bikinis with a better fit, and when I couldn’t find them, I realized many other women were likely facing the same challenge.
That realization led me to create SwimsByDidi as a solutions-driven brand focused on fit, adjustability, and quality. Our pieces are designed to accommodate different body proportions rather than relying on standard sizing alone. Beyond swimwear, the brand is about confidence and body ownership. In a society that can be conservative around swimwear, SwimsByDidi encourages women to feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful in their own skin. Since launching, the brand has grown into one of Ghana’s fastest-growing swimwear labels, supported by a strong online community and a commitment to designing for real women’s bodies.
Shop online at www.swimsbydidi.com

victoria anosike @kwelakustudio
kwelaku
Kwelaku is rooted in the idea of wearable culture. I grew up surrounded by women who wore their heritage proudly. My mother, aunties, and grandmothers dressed in Ankara, Kente, Adire, and Aso-Oke, often styled as double wrappers with puff-sleeved blouses and Oleku. These garments were never just clothing. They carried identity, lineage, and history. As I grew older, I noticed that these beautiful pieces were often reserved for church, weddings, and other special ceremonies, making indigenous clothing feel occasional rather than everyday.
Kwelaku was born from the question of what it would look like if culture could live with us daily. I wanted to honor the craftsmanship I grew up witnessing while shaping it into silhouettes that feel versatile, modern, and enduring. Before founding Kwelaku, I worked in banking operations, a world centered on systems and structure, but creativity always stayed with me. Through Kwelaku, I aim to ensure that the culture that shaped us continues to evolve with intention and elegance. To me, culture isn’t something to preserve behind glass. It’s something to wear, reinterpret, and carry forward.
Shop online at www.kwelaku.com
U.S. & CANADA

DENiSE BENSON @denisebensonphotography
denise benson photography
Favorite KHOI Product: SESI HOOP
I’m Denise — the photographer behind Denise Benson Photography. I help ambitious entrepreneurs create branding images that feel authentic, elevated, and aligned with who they truly are. My approach is strategic yet effortless, guiding busy business owners through a seamless experience so they walk away with content that builds confidence, connection, and consistent visibility.
Book your session online here.

onome nwaneri @meltedlenses
melted lenses
Favorite KHOI Product: HAAR EARRING
Melted Lenses is a limited-edition eyewear house founded on November 11, 2024 by a Nigerian female creative and operated from Houston, Texas. The brand designs by seasons, meaning once a collection is gone, it never returns. This approach creates true exclusivity and has cultivated a growing community of women who don’t just wear eyewear, they wear statements.
Since launching, Melted Lenses has been worn by public figures including Jackie Aina, Tiwa Savage, Toke Makinwa, Peak Mill, and Amiraa Vainqueur. The mission behind the brand is to become the go-to eyewear label for those who turn heads effortlessly. Beyond the frames, Melted Lenses is also about building a founder story that inspires other women to pursue their dreams with confidence and intention.
Shop online at www.meltedlenses.com

torita igariwey @ju.meofficial
JU:ME
Favorite KHOI Product: BRIE EARRING
Ju:me is a womenswear brand created for women stepping into the best version of themselves, whether that’s brunch with friends, a vacation, or celebrating life’s most meaningful moments. The brand focuses on creating pieces that honor those experiences while maintaining a strong commitment to quality, comfort, and thoughtful design.
The name Ju:me comes from the first letters of my children’s names. Although I had the vision for this brand for over a decade, it wasn’t until I was expecting my third child that I realized there would never be a perfect time to start. With faith and resilience, Ju:me was born, becoming a deeply personal symbol of legacy, purpose, and love.
Shop online at www.jumelifestyle.co

AMANDA AKOMAH-DONKOR @LYZR_KIDZ
LYZR KIDZ
Favorite KHOI Product: XILA BAG
Lyzr Kidz was inspired by the joy of dressing our own two children and seeing how much confidence came from feeling put together. We noticed how a thoughtfully chosen outfit could change not only how they carried themselves, but also how they felt inside and how others responded to them. That experience sparked a passion to create a brand that helps children feel confident, comfortable, and fully themselves.
Our collection offers carefully curated clothing for kids from toddlers through age 14, with pieces selected for both timeless style and personality. From classic tailored shirts to playful designs, each item is chosen with intention because we believe what a child wears can shape how they show up in the world.
Based in the United States, Lyzr Kidz launched its first curated collection on March 5, 2026, beginning with three special pieces and a vision to grow alongside the children who wear them.
Shop online at www.lyzrkidz.com

INDIA FRANCIS @INDIEDITION
indi edition
Favorite KHOI Product: RAYE SUNGLASSES
Indi Edition is a knitwear brand founded by designer India, born from a time when knitting became a grounding creative outlet. What began as a personal practice quickly evolved when people started noticing and asking about the chunky knit coats she was wearing. That curiosity and encouragement sparked the creation of Indi Edition.
The brand focuses on one-of-one, handmade chunky knit coats that are freehanded and never repeated. Each piece is crafted with intention to feel soft, warm, and effortlessly distinctive. Inspired by life in Chicago and a love for earthy, expressive tones, Indi Edition creates pieces for those who want to feel quietly confident, unique, and fully themselves.
Shop online at www.indiedition.com
UK & EUROPE

ISABELLA FLEISCHER @VEILSANDVISION
VEILS & VISION
Favorite KHOI Product: EYDI EARRING
Veils & Vision specializes in elevated bridal and event styling, helping clients bring their vision to life with intention, precision, and elegance. From selecting the perfect wedding gown to refining color palettes, fabrics, silhouettes, shoes, and accessories, every detail of the look is thoughtfully guided to ensure a cohesive and beautiful result.
Beyond the dress, Veils & Vision provides on-the-day bridal assistance, dress fitting and alteration guidance, vendor coordination, hair and makeup recommendations, and personalized styling tailored to each client’s body shape and event vision. In addition to bridal styling, the brand also styles milestone celebrations and special events, ensuring every client shows up feeling polished, confident, and aligned with the moment.
Book your consultation here.

VANESSA BONSU @OFFICIALHOUSEOFBUBU
HOUSE OF BUBU
Favorite KHOI Product: LEKI EARRING
House of Bubu was born from a deeply personal moment after having my baby, when my body changed and nothing in my wardrobe felt like me. I wanted to feel beautiful, elegant, and confident again without squeezing into clothes that didn’t honor my body. Turning to the bubu, I discovered flowing silhouettes, bold colors, and fabrics that moved with me, reminding me that softness and strength can coexist. That moment of choice—to not shrink, hide, or apologize—sparked the creation of House of Bubu.
Today, House of Bubu designs unapologetic African pieces for women who want to feel seen at every stage of life, whether after pregnancy, stepping into a new season, or simply embracing their presence. Every piece is created with intention, quality, and care, transforming fabric into confidence. House of Bubu is for women who refuse to dim their light, who are becoming, and who choose to feel beautiful again.
Shop online at https://houseofbubu.co.uk

BLESSING JACOB @SHOP.JACOBANDPAUL
jacob and paul
Favorite KHOI Product: BOKE BOOKMARK
Jacob & Paul is a UAE-based fashion brand rooted in self-expression, heritage, and timeless elegance. Founded in Dubai, a city where tradition meets innovation, the brand reflects a fusion of global influences and meaningful storytelling. Every piece carries history, creativity, and purpose, evolving from handcrafted scarves to a curated collection of women’s clothing and bags that embody simplicity, elegance, and modern femininity.
Designed for bold, resilient women who embrace individuality with confidence, Jacob & Paul creates pieces that move effortlessly with life’s diverse experiences—from casual outings to corporate schedules. Beyond fashion, the brand is a movement built on empowerment and community, committed to ethical practices and giving back. At Jacob & Paul, every garment and accessory tells a story, inviting women to express themselves with intention and style.
Shop online at www.jacobandpaul.com
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the khoi business directory

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Fashion is more than clothing. It is storytelling, perspective, and the creative vision that brings every look to life. In this feature, we are spotlighting fashion brands and photographers whose w...
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