The 1st Annual Africa Fashion Week:New York

The World Cup may have ended, but Africa continues to shine in the spotlight—or, more specifically, on the runway. Last Thursday at the Broad Street Ballroom in New York City, eleven African designers kicked off the first annual Africa Fashion Week with an amazing runway show that featured a diverse array of fabulous collections. No true African event is complete without music, so between each collection, the flyest African tunes, both new and old, were spun much to the delight of the eager audience. When the statuesque models stepped onto the runway, they reinforced that black beauty will always be in style.


Women of all shapes, sizes, and colors proudly rocked each designer’s collection. The brilliant details and innovative construction of the pieces instantly captured the audience, causing us to crane our necks and lean forward in anticipation of the next piece that lay right around the corner. Although the language of fashion may be universal, every true fashionista knows that style comes in many dialects and the African fashion scene is no exception. Couture, avant-garde, Afrocentric, classic, playful, urban, contemporary—the show had something for everyone.

After the show I caught up with Abbiee Oyewole (left), the 24 year-young Nigerian designer behind Qétura, who shared that same inclusive mindset when creating her line.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from,” Abbiee said, explaining that, at the end of the day, everyone wants clothing that’s actually going to fit into his or her everyday wardrobe.
“There are not enough African designers doing playful [designs],” said Abiee. “They’re either couture or Afrocentric."
Eager to bring a more “playful and free” spirit to the African fashion scene, Abbiee and her creations set a new standard through fun colors, perky patterns, and adorable shapes. Basically, Qétura holds it down for the contemporary young woman.
“My clothes are for the girl who goes to work and then meets up afterwards with the girls for drinks,” said Abbiee.

When asked about the inspiration behind their lines, the show’s designers all accredited the natural beauty of Africa as being their main creative influence:

“My inspiration for the show was the organic landscape of South Africa.” Darryl Jagga of Darryl Jagga (South Africa)

“This collection is wood, however I usually use gemstones but thought wood would better illustrate Africa.” Tracy (above) of Fabulous Fingers (UK/England)

“African Royalty…plain white with silver, mixed with Crayola colors and gold.” Léonché of Léonché (Sierra Leone)

This show had me itching to book a one-way flight ASAP, so a simple two thumbs up will suffice for Africa Fashion Week’s final verdict. All of these designers’ collections demonstrated the fierce spirit of their mother country, and in doing so, dispersed the ridiculous “Dark Continent” notion. Waka Waka, this time really is for Africa. Missed this year’s shows? No worries. Gugulethu, the head stylist of African Fashion Week assures me that they’ll be back next year, bigger and better than before!
“We pulled it off,” said Gugu. “Next year, we’ll grow.”

For more sideline photos (bear with me here people, I'm a writer!), head to my Society HAE photo album.