Claire Adaobi Maduka Shines at Africa Fashion Week London

Claire Adaobi Maduka is the creative director and founder of MaShakara, a contemporary heritage fashion brand that focuses on African craftsmanship for a global audience. She participated in Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2026, where her designs, made from Akwete textiles sourced from Nigeria, garnered significant attention.

The brand name MaShakara honors her grandmother, whose nickname was Mama Shakara. Although her family did not have a background in fashion, Maduka pursued her passion after initially working in project management and business consulting for nearly a decade in Canada.

Her designs reflect a commitment to sustainability, utilizing natural and biodegradable fibers while supporting the traditional weaving skills of women in Akwete, Abia State, Nigeria. Maduka's journey includes a background in modeling, which she pursued secretly before gaining confidence and winning a beauty pageant at the American University of Nigeria in Yola in 2012, further motivating her to enter the fashion industry.