African Fashion Week: Ready, Set ...

With just some days to go, the third edition of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is set for take-off. The event which comes up on 1-4 August 2013 has not only expanded to three days but also moved to a bigger venue, Old Truman Brewery, in Shoreditch, London. 

This year’s event is set to see 100 designers on the runway and over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s massive indoor space, once again making AFWL the biggest fashion event across Europe showcasing African and African-inspired fashion.

Another important change for Africa Fashion Week London comes in the form of two patrons this year; Princess Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist.

 

Africa Fashion Week London Patron: Yinka Shonibare

"I believe Africa Fashion Week London is a great platform for African talent and a great opportunity for Africa to showcase the talent that we possess. The era of the hungry African child is long over and it is now time for our culture to be recognised globally," said Mrs. Ejindu about AFWL.

 

Africa Fashion Week London Patron: Princess Fifi Ejindu

There are also the fabulous AFWL ambassadors - three gorgeous, glamorous and gifted ladies of African descent. Last year's ambassador, Ghanaian model, Menaye Donkor Muntari, is joined by fellow model and philanthropist, Noella Coursaris Musunka of Congo and Noisettes lead singer of Zimbabwean descent, Shingai Shoniwa.

The three days of back-to-back fashion shows will lead to the exclusive African Arts and Fashion Banquet to be held at The Dorchester, sponsored by leading pan-African women’s bimonthly New African Woman, L’Oréal’s premium professional haircare range for Afro Caribbean and mixed-race hair textures Mizani, and Africa’s fastest growing telecommunications company, Globacom.

The exclusive first fundraiser event for the African Arts and Fashion Initiative aims to create start-up funds for young designers to assist them in turning their creativity into sustainability. Set to feature fashion shows, art exhibits, and an exclusive celebration of African arts and fashion, the event will also see awards given out to those who have contributed to the growth of youth and women empowerment in Africa.

African Arts and Fashion Banquet will play host to the crème de la crème of African dignitaries and VIPs. In attendance will be the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke who has given his endorsement to the event will be in attendance as well as the keynote speakers, the First Lady of Cross River State, Her Excellency Mrs. Liyel Imoke and Ghanaian economist, scientist, political writer and former chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana, Professor Edward Ayensu.

“With this event we intend to raise start-up funds for emerging talent and tuition fees for extremely talented designers, hence in a way we are empowering the youth of Africa. While some have the opportunity and the funds to start their fashion labels, many others have no one to give them an opportunity or the funds they need. We have all the natural resources and all the talent in Africa but we should not leave it just to our leaders to help progress. If each of us were to sweep our own doorstep, the world would become a cleaner place. Therefore, this is our way to help emerging talent to a global platform and the funds they need,” Ejindu added.