African textiles and beadwork have served as inspiration for major designers for decades, but African designers have not yet found a firm footing in the U.S. fashion market.

Four African labels -- Xuly Bet by Malian designer Lamine Badian Kouyate, Tiffany Amber by Nigeria's Folake Coker, Momo by Nigeria's Fati Asibelua and Stoned Cherrie by South Africa's Nkhensani Nkosi -- are showing collections as part of the African Fashion Collective on Friday.

Scores of designers are showing their Fall 2009 collections at New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, a semi-annual event that attracts thousands of fashion industry insiders.

"I do think that the timing couldn't be better because there is that kind of euphoria over having a president of African origin," said Nkosi, who calls her looks "Afro-urban."

"But it is the worst time in some regard because people are a lot more careful of what they spend their money on," she said in an interview before the show.