Luxury Rooted in Legacy: Musa’s Bold Reimagining of African Royalty

Drawing from the legendary wealth and cultural vibrancy of Mansa Musa's Mali Empire, the showcase bridges centuries—transforming ancient grandeur into bold, contemporary designs. Musa redefines the runway, positioning it as more than spectacle: a living canvas for self-discovery, heritage, and possibility.

Musa to the Moon

For founder Omotayo Akintoye, the story began with his middle name, but the vision extends far beyond. Musa is a deliberate nod to history's wealthiest ruler, Mansa Musa, while reimagining luxury not as cost, but as culture, heritage, and perspective. Built on the foundation of African art, architecture, and storytelling, the brand treats each design as a narrative.

What story is being told? How can it be lived? These questions fuel the Musa process. "When people wear Musa, we want them to feel like they're seeing the world through a story, not just through glass," says creative director Jessica Reyes—the result: silhouettes that honor African history while striking a balance between timeless elegance and modern edge.

Jordan Bradley and Jasmine Davis for Musa

This ethos shapes the Descendants of Timbuktu collection. Here, Mansa Musa's brilliance is not just a namesake but a guiding star, a symbol of cultural resonance and visionary wealth. Their mantra, Musa to the Moon, reflects more than ambition; it's a futuristic worldview. As the team insists: "It's not just how you look—it's how you see the world."

Show Experience: Musa to the World

On September 20, the Omni Hotel transforms into a cultural homecoming, calling fashion lovers and "descendants of Timbuktu" into an immersive celebration of heritage and innovation. Ancestral drumbeats merge with futuristic soundscapes, setting the stage for African royalty reimagined on a global runway.

Jordan Bradley and Jasmine Davis for Musa

With collaborations that span Grey Goose to the US Open, Musa has already proven its ability to translate African heritage for global platforms. This gala furthers that vision: weaving past, present, and future into staging, soundscapes, and eyewear design. The promise? An epic experience that reframes luxury through the lens of African royalty.

A Collective Movement, Not a Solo Act

Musa thrives on collaboration, joining forces with designers whose narratives elevate heritage with uncompromising excellence.

Cameroon-born couturier Claude Kameni—celebrated for her dramatic yet elegant gowns—brings undeniable red carpet prestige to the showcase. A self-taught visionary whose creations have adorned icons like Tracee Ellis Ross, Janet Jackson, and Viola Davis, Kameni will debut a wedding gown at the gala. "What I create must speak loudly," she says, recalling her experience designing for the cult-classic Coming to America. Her bold, statement-making artistry mirrors Musa's own philosophy: unapologetic brilliance.

Jordan Bradley and Jasmine Davis for Musa

Balancing that couture is the urban edge of Nigerian designer Ifeanyi C., acclaimed for his refined streetwear. His six-piece collection draws inspiration from boarding school memories and the lessons of confidence he inherited from his father, as honored through the name Agbiri Nelson—"the highest in the room." "As an African, you should never look like anybody else," he insists, echoing Musa's ethos of individuality and elevation. For Ifeanyi, collaboration is a responsibility: "African creatives should lift each other." His presence underscores the Musa movement—Africa's creativity, regal and unapologetic, stepping proudly onto the global stage.

Holly and Roo for Musa

That cultural ascension has also found its champions among global stars. Like Gunna before him, who casually co-signed the brand with his effortless cool, Davido has stepped into the Musa frame—literally. Spotted wearing the brand's statement sunglasses, the Afrobeats icon embodies exactly what Musa represents: African royalty reimagined for today. His embrace doesn't just cement Musa in the orbit of celebrity style; it validates the brand's vision of luxury rooted in heritage yet destined for the world. With artists of this caliber behind it, Musa transcends eyewear—it becomes a cultural emblem, a lens through which icons see and are seen.

Kesean Dyson for Musa

More Than a Runway

Yet Musa's ambitions extend far beyond the catwalk. "Let the luxury tell our stories," says Jess, affirming that every frame and fabric is woven with storytelling and cultural pride. Creative director Tae hopes this year will cement Musa as "synonymous with African pride and excellence."

Chris Triplett and Jasmine Davis for Musa

That vision is expansive. Musa is evolving into a lifestyle movement—through collaborations, pop-ups, and artistic showcases—where dressing in Musa means wearing the essence of African royalty. Beyond AFRICON 2025, the brand aims to merge fashion and storytelling into a singular truth: luxury has always been rooted in African heritage.