As a prelude to this year’s edition of the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), organisers of the event recently converged on the Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre, London for the Meltdown Festival and Fashion Extravaganza inspired by Grace Jone’s fashion.
The show started with three mini-collections from the universities of Northampton and West London. Themes of protest were evident in both universities’ collections, including ‘Black Lives Matter and ‘Awareness of Misogynoir.’ The discrimination faced by black women is also featured in powerful graphic print.
The main show brought drama, African haute couture and elaborate accessories on display. Premier designer and AFWL Head Stylist, Soboye, gave his ‘Evolving Lagos’ 54 collections, including a fabulous neoprene wedding dress and an experiment with Adire from the Adire Oodua Textile Hub.
Also, Sista by Eyoro represented Nigeria by showcasing Adire Oodua Textile Hub’s different fabrics. Adire Organza, Adire Alabere, Adire Batik and Adire Aso Oke were featured.
Mary Martin London, who always brings drama to the catwalk, thrilled the audience with four new designs from her latest inspiration. They include a dress made entirely of wire, exaggerated neckpieces and headpieces. Prestige designers – Adebayo Jones, Elfreda Dali, Sista by Eyoro, and Kalikas Armour – showcased glamour and classic tailoring.
The 2022 AFWL, which will hold in Nigeria and U.K respectively, was founded by Princess Ronke Ademiluyi to promote African fabrics, among others, on the global stage. According to Ademiluyi, the event is the longest-running festival of African fashion in the U.K.
“This year’s Africa Fashion Week in Nigeria is in partnership with Lagos Fashion Fair and it will hold on September 7-9 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, while AFWL edition would hold on October 7-8, at the Freemasons’ London. Both fashion weeks will be showing the best African-inspired designs.”
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