Are you looking for unique, fashionable clothing that honors African cultural traditions? If so, look no further than D‘Iyanu. This innovative brand is taking the fashion world by storm with its modern takes on African prints and silhouettes. Their clothing makes a powerful statement about identity, heritage, and style.
In this in-depth D‘Iyanu African clothing review, I‘ll give you the full scoop on the brand‘s story, bestselling designs, quality and craftsmanship, customer reactions, and more. As an African fashion enthusiast and D‘Iyanu customer myself, I‘ll also share my own firsthand experiences with their pieces. Get ready to be inspired by this groundbreaking label!
The D‘Iyanu Story & Mission
D‘Iyanu was founded in 2014 by Nigerian-American fashion entrepreneur Adesola Elabor. Growing up, Elabor loved the colorful African clothing her relatives would bring back from trips to Nigeria. But as an adult living in the U.S., she struggled to find similarly vibrant, well-made designs. So she decided to create them herself.
Elabor‘s vision was to make African-inspired fashion more accessible to the diaspora and anyone who appreciates its boldness and symbolism. The brand‘s name, D‘Iyanu, means "of or from something wonderful" in a combination of French and the West African language Yoruba. This reflects Elabor‘s mission to blend her African and Western identities through her designs.
Today, D‘Iyanu has grown into a thriving fashion brand with a robust online store, 200,000+ devoted social media followers, and glowing press from the likes of Essence, Refinery29, and The New York Times. Each collection pays tribute to African cultural traditions while embracing modern, flattering silhouettes and wearable fabrics.
Stunning Designs Across Categories
What immediately drew me to D‘Iyanu was the sheer variety of their offerings. No matter what type of clothing you‘re looking for, you can find an African-inspired version at D‘Iyanu. Some of their most popular categories include:
| Category | Bestsellers |
|---|---|
| Dresses | Wrap dresses, maxis, midis, shirt dresses |
| Tops | Peplum tops, crop tops, kimonos, blazers |
| Skirts | Pencil skirts, a-line skirts, pleated skirts, wrap skirts |
| Jumpsuits | Strapless jumpsuits, halter jumpsuits, wide-leg jumpsuits |
| Men‘s Clothing | Printed shirts, dashikis, tunics, trousers |
I own several pieces across these categories, and I‘m consistently impressed by the bold prints, eye-catching colors, and thoughtful details. Some of my personal favorites include:
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The Amara Wrap Dress – This maxi dress features a dramatic high-low hem, a waist-cinching tie, and voluminous sleeves. The orange and blue print is stunning and the luxe fabric has a beautiful weight and drape. I feel like an African goddess when I wear it!
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The Ayo Peplum Top – I love how this fitted peplum top accentuates my curves. The bright kente cloth print always garners compliments. It looks great with jeans for casual Friday at the office or a night out.
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The Jidenna Men‘s Tunic – I bought this for my husband and he‘s obsessed. The crisp cotton fabric keeps him cool even in the summer heat, and the black and white printed front panel is so eye-catching. Bonus: it has pockets!
Top-Notch Quality and Craftsmanship
One thing that sets D‘Iyanu apart is their commitment to quality. You can instantly feel the difference when you put on one of their pieces. The brand primarily uses three types of fabrics:
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Ankara cotton – This traditional West African fabric is known for its vibrant colors and patterns. D‘Iyanu sources their Ankara from Nigeria and Ghana. It‘s lightweight, breathable, and has a crisp texture.
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Stretch ponte – D‘Iyanu developed its own ponte fabric with a high spandex content for comfort and flexibility. It has a smooth, soft feel but enough structure to smooth over curves.
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Lace – Some of D‘Iyanu‘s special occasion pieces feature rich lace fabrics, often mixed with Ankara prints for a luxe look. The lace is soft and non-scratchy.
No matter which fabric you choose, you can count on excellent craftsmanship. The stitching is always straight and secure, the zippers glide smoothly, and the garments hold up beautifully in the wash. I‘ve had some of my D‘Iyanu pieces for years and they still look brand new.
Inclusive Sizing and Fits
Another area where D‘Iyanu shines is in their inclusive sizing. The women‘s line includes:
- Straight sizes from XS to XL
- Plus sizes from 1X to 3X
- Petite sizes in select styles
Similarly, the men‘s collection ranges from S to 4XL. D‘Iyanu also offers an adorable kids‘ line with sizes 6 months to 12 years, so you can outfit the whole family in coordinating prints.
I‘m consistently impressed by the fit of D‘Iyanu‘s clothing. Many of the dresses and skirts feature smocking, elastic, or sashes that allow for a flexible, forgiving fit. The tops tend to run true to size with a curve-hugging silhouette. And the brand provides detailed size charts with garment measurements to help you find your ideal fit.
Glowing Customer Reviews
You don‘t have to take just my word for it – D‘Iyanu has garnered thousands of positive reviews from happy customers. On the brand‘s website, their dresses average an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars. Here are a few excerpts:
"This dress is magic! The fabric is so lush and the print is mesmerizing. I wore it to my best friend‘s wedding and felt like a total bombshell. Worth every penny!" – Nia S.
"I was nervous to order a dress online, but the customer service team helped me find the perfect size. It fits like a dream and the colors are even richer in person." – Imani K.
"I‘ve been looking for the perfect Ankara print skirt for years, and I finally found it at D‘Iyanu. The length is so elegant and the print is unique. I can tell this is a piece I‘ll treasure forever." – Adanna M.
The reviews are similarly glowing for the men‘s collection. Customers rave about the soft, breathable fabrics, eye-catching prints, and sharp, modern silhouettes. One reviewer even called D‘Iyanu "the best thing to happen to my husband‘s wardrobe since our wedding day!"
Easy Ordering and Fast Shipping
Ordering from D‘Iyanu is a breeze. Their website is well-organized and easy to navigate, with detailed product descriptions, size charts, and styling suggestions. Standard shipping is free on all U.S. orders over $75, and they also offer expedited options for a fee.
In my experience, D‘Iyanu orders always ship quickly. I typically receive my items within 4-7 business days. The pieces arrive neatly folded in eco-friendly packaging with a handwritten thank-you note – a lovely personal touch!
D‘Iyanu also offers no-questions-asked returns within 30 days of purchase. If an item doesn‘t work out, simply send it back using the provided prepaid label for a full refund or exchange. The few times I‘ve needed to make a return, the process was seamless.
A Brand That Gives Back
As if the stunning designs and quality craftsmanship weren‘t enough, D‘Iyanu is also committed to giving back. The brand partners with several African charities and artisan groups to support education, women‘s empowerment, and cultural preservation initiatives.
For example, a portion of the proceeds from their "I Am Ïyánifà" collection benefits the Ïyánifà Foundation, which provides scholarships to underprivileged girls in Nigeria. D‘Iyanu also works with Ghanaian seamstresses and tailors to produce some of their garments, providing fair wages and safe working conditions.
When you wear D‘Iyanu, you‘re not just making a fashion statement – you‘re supporting a brand that uplifts African communities and celebrates cultural heritage. That‘s something we can all feel good about.
Final Thoughts
As you can probably tell, I‘m a huge fan of D‘Iyanu. This brand has truly raised the bar for African-inspired fashion. Their designs are strikingly gorgeous but also surprisingly wearable and versatile. The quality is top-notch, the fit is incredibly flattering, and the prices are reasonable for the craftsmanship.
But perhaps what I love most about D‘Iyanu is how their clothing makes me feel. When I put on one of their dresses or tops, I feel a powerful connection to my African roots. I feel celebratory, joyful, and proud to share my heritage with the world. In a fashion landscape that can feel homogeneous, D‘Iyanu offers something truly special.
If you‘re looking to add some color, pattern, and cultural flair to your wardrobe, I can‘t recommend D‘Iyanu enough. This is a brand that knows how to make African textiles and silhouettes feel fresh, modern, and utterly covetable. Trust me – once you try one of their pieces, you‘ll be hooked!
So what are you waiting for? Head to the D‘Iyanu website and treat yourself to a beautiful Ankara print dress, a vibrant peplum top, or a dashing men‘s dashiki. Wear your new pieces with pride and get ready for a barrage of compliments and "where did you get that?" questions. With D‘Iyanu, you‘ll always stand out in the very best way.
