African Fashion news and archive

Nigerian designer pushes 'Afro-lux' onto the global fashion scene

Its modern architecture complemented by latticework inspired by local Yoruba textiles, Alara, west Africa's first fashion and design "concept store", is an imposing sight in Lagos, Nigeria's bustling economic capital. Founder Reni Folawiyo is now 10 years into forging what she calls "Afro-lux", Alara serving as a homebase for designs that "play...

Fashion

In S.Africa, Madiba shirts keep Mandela's legacy alive

Johannesburg - In his workshop stocked with piles of fabric and sewing machines, Sonwabile Ndamase is proud that the Madiba shirts he designed for Nelson Mandela 30 years ago endure as a legacy of South Africa's first democratically elected leader. Worn untucked and without a jacket, the loose Madiba shirts remain a favourite among South African...

Fashion |Interview

IFM to support Benin's emerging designers through incubator programme

In collaboration with the Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), the Sèmè City programme, initiated by the Beninese government to promote innovation and local creative industries, is launching the FLY incubator. Over a twelve-month period, fashion professionals will support and mentor emerging designers from Benin and other African countries. Over...

Fashion

This fashion week in pictures

Sandton (South Africa) - Designer Mzukisi Mbane (middle), founder of Imprint, cheers with his models before his show as part of the African Fashion International (AFI) fashion week in Sandton on November 19, 2022. Detail of the Kimono exhibit at Musée du Quai Branly in Paris. November 22. (Photo: Léo Delafontaine via Claudine Colin...

Fashion

South Africa's Precious Moloi-Motsepe, champion of African fashion

South African Precious Moloi-Motsepe, one of the richest women in Africa, is a staunch promoter of fashion designers from the young, vibrant and culturally diverse continent. Style has coursed through her veins since she was a young girl growing up in Soweto township, and for her the time is ripe for "African designers to shine" on the...

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Culture

First ever 'Africa Fashion' exhibition opens in London

Britain's most extensive exhibition of African fashion is set to open in London, showcasing designers past and present, as well as the continent's diverse heritage and cultures. "Africa Fashion", at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum from Saturday, is also the country's first exhibition dedicated to the medium. Project curator Elisabeth Murray...

Fashion

8 by Yoox launches Tales of Africa project

Yoox-owned label 8 by Yoox has revealed its new project, Tales by Africa, dedicated to artisanal and African culture and will include capsules created by six designers from the African continent. Set to become available from the beginning of May, the collections include ready-to-wear pieces, bags, accessories and footwear. Each of the designers...

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Business

Folklore Group raises 1.7 million dollars to launch wholesale platform for African brands

The Folklore Group announced it has raised 1.7 million dollars in a pre-seed funding round that will help it launch a conglomerate of B2B and consumer platforms for African and diasporic brands. The funding round was led by Slauson & Co. and had additional participation from Fearless Fund, Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) player...

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Business

Birimian partners with Trail to support African fashion

Birimian, the investment company dedicated to connecting African luxury and heritage fashion brands with international investors, has announced a strategic partnership with European asset management firm Trail Capital to scale up support for African fashion houses and brands. To mark the partnership, Paris-based Trail has invested an undisclosed...

Culture

V&A reveals more on Africa Fashion exhibition, featuring 45 designers

London’s V&A Museum has revealed more details on its upcoming Africa Fashion exhibition, which is set to highlight 45 designers from over 20 countries, making it the UK’s most extensive exhibition of African fashion to date. Scheduled to open its doors on July 2, the exhibition will display over 250 objects, including 70 new acquisitions. These...

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Fashion

'From Rwanda to Hollywood': Kigali style goes global

Kigali - Matthew Rugamba knew his Rwandan fashion label had arrived when Junior Nyong’o, the brother of Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, attended the world premiere of “Black Panther” in a three-piece suit designed by him. Hours after the glitzy event in Los Angeles, the website for Rugamba’s brand House of Tayo exploded as enquiries flooded in from...

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Fashion

Afrik Fashion Show's 15th edition celebrates four generations of Ivorian designers

Abidjan - The Afrik Fashion Show is back for a fifteenth edition focusing on the theme 'Made in Ivory Coast'. For the occasion, fifteen designers from four generations presented their latest collections. A confident and charismatic, Fatim Sidimé made her entrance on the podium of the 'Palais des Congrès de l'Hôtel Ivoire', Saturday 6 November...