African fashion isn’t just fabric, it’s identity, history, and heart, and for Anjali Borkhataria, it’s the soul of everything she creates.
Raised in the vibrant city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Anjali grew up surrounded by color, craft, and an unshakable spirit of resilience.
From a young age, she felt the quiet pull of creativity, one that eventually led her to trade convention for purpose, and spark a fashion revolution rooted in authenticity.
In 2018, with no investors, no media buzz, and nothing but a sewing machine and a bold dream, Anjali birthed EKANTIK, a brand that didn’t just make clothes but told stories.
Real African ones. Stories of pride, rhythm, and boldness woven into every stitch. The word EKANTIK means “The One.”
And that’s exactly what her brand stands for: the ones who carve their own paths, wear their roots with pride, and express culture without compromise.
Her mission is to create clothing that tells a story, clothing that says ‘this is Africa’ without watering it down.
Her designs quietly but strongly say, “This is Africa.” They aren’t watered down or exaggerated, they are simply meant to be worn with pride.
Each piece is fabric as language, design as memory, and style with soul. Over the years, her impact has rippled across borders.
She was named Innovative Designer of the Year at Swahili Fashion Week in both 2020 and 2021, a recognition of her fresh aesthetic and cultural integrity. And she didn’t stop there.
In April 2024, Anjali became the first Tanzanian designer to collaborate with Reebok, debuting a powerful fusion collection at South African Menswear Week, blending Reebok’s athletic legacy with African craftsmanship and traditional batik techniques.
That same year, she made history again by becoming the first Tanzanian to host a pop-up showcase at Galeries Lafayette in Paris.
Her brand, EKANTIK, stood proudly alongside select African designers, introducing Tanzanian streetwear to a global luxury audience in one of fashion’s most iconic spaces.
In 2025, Forbes Africa named her to its prestigious 30 Under 30 list, hailing her as a visionary designer who is transforming Tanzanian heritage into global haute streetwear, and inspiring a new generation of African creatives.
But to Anjali, success isn’t just defined by milestones. Her deeper mission is mentorship.
Through EKANTIK, she’s cultivating a platform for emerging African talents to grow, create, and be seen. She believes talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t.
In line with this vision, she’s supported community mentorship programs including collaborations with the Miriam Odemba Foundation in Tanzania, further deepening her commitment to youth empowerment and education.
Her artistry has captured the attention of major cultural figures. EKANTIK has dressed top African icons like Diamond Platnumz, Koffi Olomide, Mbosso, and Tanasha Donna, giving her brand a visible voice in African pop culture.
Her international acclaim has earned her features in Forbes Africa, BBC News London, and multiple Tanzanian media outlets.
Early in her journey, she was awarded Second Place at FIMA (Festival International de la Mode en Afrique) in Morocco, which came with a scholarship and an internship, another key moment that fueled her upward trajectory.
Today, Anjali Borkhataria is not just designing clothes. She’s designing identity and making space for African stories to be worn, shared, and remembered.
And in every thread of EKANTIK, you can feel her heartbeat, unapologetic, bold, and beautifully Tanzanian.
