8 Hot African Designers

African designers are incredibly talented. Their merging of African prints, designs and colors with western and eastern styles has created a wonderful fusion of unique and elegant clothing. Today we highlight some designers who don't seem to get the recognition that they deserve.

1. Côté Minou - Côté Minou is a Cameroonian fashion house consisting of two designers, Stephanie Mouapi and Maryanne Mokoko. Based in Maryland, this dynamic duo have managed to come up with phenomenal creations that marry vibrant fabric and color with elegant fashion styles. With everything from the eclectic to elegant, there is sure to be something to suit your taste. You can follow them on their Facebook page or their website.

2. Sidney Sladen - Sidney Sladen is a Kenyan/Indian designer who's name is almost synonymous with Bollywood and Kollywood. His designs are very popular with Bollywood actresses who often take part in his design launches. He started off as a beauty pageant dress designer and then branched into dressing the stars. He hasn't looked back since. Follow his sari and bollywood style on his website.

3. Serge Mouangue - Never let it be said that Africans are limited by culture and customs. Serge Mouangue is a Cameroonian who designs an African Kimono that is very popular in Japan. The idea came from a conversation about preserving cultures. Interestingly, he came from concept car design background. Maybe that's where he get's his thinking out of the box from. You can view his kimono's here.

4. Bothdol - Bothdol designer, Nyamal Both is a Sudanese lady born in Ethiopia. Her design lines are elegant and fluid, merging african and western styles effortlessly. She also has an excellent eye for fabrics that work well together. Rising above abuse from extended family, Nyamal started her fashion line right after 12th grade and works as a model. To see the full range of her wonderful designs, visit her website. She also has a Facebook fanpage.

5. Korto Momolu - Korto Momolu is the Liberian designer that most of you will remember from Project Runway: Season 5. Although she wasn't the winner, she definitely made an impression. She currently has her jewelry and handbag lines selling at Dillards and is going to be in Liberia to help raise money for the Amani Liberia project through the Sankofa Fashion Show. Join her Facebook fanpage, or visit her site to keep up with all her events.

6. Kofi Ansah - This Ghanian designer puts intricate designs together flawlessly. He has worked as the chief designer of Fashion for Africa and is the founder and past president of the Federation of African Designers as well as the fabric designer for the Ghana @50 Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

7. Mataano - Launched out of obscurity when Oprah Winfrey invited them to be on her show about twins, Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, two Somalian ladies, have parlayed the fame into a renowned fashion house. Based in New York, they both used their experience from working at different fashion houses to help build their fashion business. Recently they took part in the ARISE Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria. Visit their website for their latest designs.

8. Xuly Bet - Lamine Badian Kouyaté is the Malian designer behind the Xuly Bet fashion house. Based in France, his designs have a decidedly European flair about them. Xuly Bet has won some awards and was in the 2009 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. This is definitely a designer to watch.

Beyonce recently had a photoshoot featuring African designs, but none of the designers was African. Hopefully these designers will launch you into a search for African design from the source.