The Secret Story: Meet the Exceptional Creatives Telling their Stories at TALES2026 

TALES2026 is here and is bringing together a broad ecosystem of exceptional creatives that are telling their stories by showcasing a diverse range of African Creative pieces. Together, they represent the creativity and enterprise needed to strengthen, expand and tell Africa’s creative story on a global scale, one unique brand at a time. 

 

Austin Mali

 

Austine Mali Clothing UK really started from a simple idea, the kind of idea that comes when you look at your own culture and ask how it can live in the present without losing its soul. 

The brand takes the richness of Afrocentric tradition and lets it breathe alongside contemporary design, in a way that feels honest and responsible.

With sustainability being at the heart of everything they do, they work with African textiles like Adire, Aso Oke, and Akwete, and they ensure production is ethical and low impact. Slow fashion for Austin Mali means respecting the process, respecting the makers, and respecting the environment.

 

Budding Blue

Budding blue, founded by Fiolakemi, is a sustainable and functional ready to wear brand, designing wearable art with custom hand dyed adire and handwoven cotton aso-oke. Their timeless pieces are for the discerning woman who wants to boldly wear her colours, feel beautiful and confident in her own skin. 

With the zero tolerance to waste policy at Budding blue, they  recycle their waste fabrics into wearable pieces, which is sold and proceeds from the profits are donated to the Queen Elizabeth Abegbe foundation, a foundation set up in memory of the founder’s mother of blessed memory, who really is the foundation Budding blue 

 

Deezmundu

In a world overwhelmed by harsh chemicals and artificial beauty standards, Deezmundu invites you to rediscover the ancient wisdom of traditional African wellness. Their mission is simple; to empower individuals to reclaim their natural beauty and vitality through centuries-old African remedies. Deezmundu is a traditional African wellness brand. That word is intentional. Traditional does not mean old-fashioned. Instead, it means rooted in memory, rhythm, and lived knowledge. Each perfume oil, incense, and body care product carries that philosophy forward.

They are an African-inspired wellness brand, nurturing holistic balance through services and products.
They cater to 7 aspects of wellness:
1. Mental: Clarity & focus
2. Emotional: Balance & resilience
3. Physical: Health & vitality
4. Environmental: Harmony & sustainability
5. Cultural: Heritage & identity
6. Sexual: Wholeness & intimacy

Ebonimode

Ebonímode is a contemporary African fashion brand dedicated to crafting timeless, art-driven pieces that celebrate heritage, identity, and refined elegance. Rooted in a deep appreciation for African culture, the brand merges traditional techniques with modern design to create garments that feel both authentic and globally relevant.

Every Ebonimode piece is thoughtfully produced, with a strong focus on fabric, texture, and detail. Ebonímode uses custom-designed textiles developed from sketch to final creation. The brand is known for its fluid silhouettes and expressive forms, often working with fabrics that carry stories of African history and craftsmanship.

More than just clothing, Ebonímode represents wearable art. It is designed for individuals who value culture, quality, and understated luxury

 

Gia1Fashion

Gia1Fashion is a fashion brand largely aimed at showing you how to style your way to confidence. At Gia1Fashion,  garments are made; but they also enable women to live boldly and express themselves authentically with timeless fashion pieces.

Embrace your inner explorer and explore a world of cultural fusion from Gia1 fashion. Check out their outstanding designs on Instagram @gia1fashion.

 

Honeyloom

Honeyloom was born from a desire to elevate African fashion—infusing the richness of indigenous textiles with the sophistication of modern design. Founded in Abuja, Nigeria, Honeyloom has grown into a fashion house known for its clean silhouettes, quality craftsmanship, and contemporary Afro-modern aesthetic.

From the beginning, their goal was simple. To create outfits that make people feel seen, confident, and beautifully expressed. In every collection, they blend the warmth of cultural heritage with the freshness of global style, creating pieces that feel both familiar and wonderfully new.

Their process is deeply intentional as they source fabrics that carry meaning, prioritise excellent tailoring, and design with the modern African professional, creative, leader, and style lover in mind. Whether it’s a bold Adire-inspired look, a structured workwear silhouette, a standout menswear kaftan, or an elegantly minimalist dress, Honeyloom pieces are crafted for presence.

Today, Honeyloom continues to grow; designing timeless collections, hosting memorable pop-ups across Nigeria, and building a vibrant community of people who believe in elegance, heritage, and beautiful self-expression.

Honeyloom is more than clothing. Honeyloom is a feeling, one of confidence, cultural pride, and refined modern beauty.

 

Irinre

Ìrìnrẹ̀ is a contemporary brand deeply rooted in the rich textile traditions of the Yoruba people. At its heart is Adire—an ancient hand-dyed fabric technique that speaks in color, pattern, process, and patience. More than a textile, Irinre’s adire is a language of personal meaning and cultural memory.

The name Ìrìnrẹ̀, meaning “your journey” in Yoruba, is woven into every piece they create. Each garment carries the imprint of time, tradition, and craft; offering not just something to wear, but something to remember and become.

They work in close collaboration with skilled artisans to produce handcrafted fabrics and purposeful ready-to-wear collections. Our designs are inspired by life philosophy, generational wisdom, and the quiet poetry of everyday life. In a world shaped by speed and mass production, Ìrìnrẹ̀ is a return to slowness, intention, and identity. They honor heritage while reimagining it for today, transforming traditional cloth into timeless storytelling.

This is Ìrìnrẹ̀.

 

Isibha Home

In a world that moves faster every day, Isibha home was born out of one simple truth: home isn’t just where we live—it’s where we feel safe, centered, and whole. 

Derived from the meaning of the name Isibhahome “which means – the place / land that I have come to is good” we believe every space with the Isibha home scents should feel like home.

Isibha home isn’t just a brand—it’s a philosophy. We believe scent has the power to ground us, uplift us, and transport us. That’s why we created a sanctuary of aromas for every kind of home—and every kind of heart.

Whether it’s the calming lull of lavender after a long day, the citrus burst of energy on a slow morning, or the earthy warmth of sandalwood in quiet reflection, Isbha home offers a sensory journey that makes every space feel like your space.