RECAP! - Arise Africa Fashion Week
Amidst all the craziness from the last couple of weeks, I forgot to mention how we missed out on finely dressed people, weeklong festivities and the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the world of African fashion.
My friend. We should have been in Jo-burg last month.
This guy was there. :: Swimwear from the collection of South African designer, Craig Port. ::
From June 12th-20th, Africa’s most fashion forward designers and aficionados were in South Africa for the inaugural ARISE Africa Fashion Week 2009.
From individual shows to the culminating event – the Africa Fashion Awards, festivities were attended by 51 designers from 20 African countries and several of Africa’s fashion and entertainment key players. The event was the first of its kind and at the end of the week, designers David Tlale and Folake Folarin-Coker of Tiffany Amber took home the top prizes as Designers of the Year. They both get a spot on the catwalks of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week in September, as part of the Arise African Fashion Collective show. {For a complete list of a winners,
click here.}
The whole concept of an Africa Fashion Week is pretty amazing. African style and clothing have always been dynamic, a clear indication of culture and creativity. More so, keeping in mind the once powerful
Nana-Benzs' of Togo/West Africa, fashion has long been a source of economic sustenance and prosperity for many on the continent. As more international attention is paid, it will be interesting to how Africa’s creative economy will use its time in the spotlight to benefit the continent.
Folake Folarin-Coker, of the Tiffany Amber Collection, Accepts her award for Designer of the Year
(L-R) Designer of the Year David Tlale, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, CEO of Africa Fashion International, Nduka Obaigbena, CEO of THISDAY Group, Designer of the Year Folake Folarin-Coker
Setting the tone, Award's night hosts, Chairperson of the African Fashion International, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Nduka Obaigbena, Founder of ARISE and THISDAY, mentioned in their opening remarks that “change in Africa will not come through politics, but through the people.” I agree.
Beautiful. :: From Mustafa Hassanali's Collection ::
Gorgeous. :: Worn by designer Abama Kai :: Pic via Fashion Bomb
*For amazing pictures, check out coverage by
iFashion and
Jamati.
* For more Craig Port swimsuits,
click here.
* For the official Africa Fashion Week Website,
click here.
* For pictures from the Hassanali and Silva-Ajayi collections,
click here.
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Finally, the WORLD is having a priviledge access to the great gifts that the continent has been given. No hungry chidren with pot-bellies or flies on their mouths. We need to continue to focus on our vision of the continent. Despite our challenges, we need to focus on the goal, to have our continent be ELEVATED. Thanks afiive for helping in creating that vision. We must participate in finding solutions.
Let’s unite our knowledge, passion and gifts.