Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has been going for seven years now and the Fashion Thirst team always try not to miss it albeit our travel schedules Jodi is travel blogging in Croatia, I needed to attend a funeral in the Caribbean and just about made it in time, Emma was up in bonny Scotland our photographers got good spots and I was even spoilt by being given a glimpse of the pre-shows. Each year, top designers from Africa, North America and Europe turn up to my awesome, Global city to showcase cutting edge styles and prints, bridal wear and work suits. This year was great and it was held at the Freemason's Hall in Covent Garden, on the runway there were bursts of colour, patterns and creative cuts, cool afro beats played in the background, outside of the main halls one could find exhibition stalls of supply chain-focused companies who are involved in building the African fashion industry. AFWL attracts up to 75,000 visitors annually, these are made up of buyers, retailers, bloggers, fashion houses and influential media persons.
Did you know that they now have an African Fashion Week - AFW in Barcelona? Bet not! A precedent has been set. Many of this year's designers hailed from South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia. This year the organisers joined forces with influencers in art and philanthropy. Temi Otedola (Nigerian fashionista) and Noella Coursaris (Congolese supermodel) were heavily involved. Model Noella Musunka praised this year's show and highlighted how useful the venue was as this show has grown exponentially. She was interviewed several times back stage. Day two was bigger and attracted more visitors, we saw collections from Yemzi, Nevice, Abisola Akanni, Daft Minerva, Tobams colors, Bibini, Talansi and I-Kollection do Google them for more information on their inspirational creations.
Here are the official stats from this year:
5000 visitors over two days
over 50 exhibitors
42 designers from 15 African Nations
Until next time......
Written By Monica Cummings
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