African Fashion Week NY is coming up in July, and it promises to showcase some of fashion’s best designers of African descent. The New York event is one of five events taking place in cities famous for style: Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, London and Milan will all host African Fashion Weeks sometime this year.
Despite AFWNY being just two years old, African fashion has long been an influence on the world’s runways and red carpets. Pop princesses like Beyonce and Gwen Stefani work African prints and headdresses into outfits for events, and African designers like Project Runway’s Korto Momolu have broken into the mainstream. Not all of these designers are featured in this year’s AFWNY, but they represent the rise of African fashion to the world stage.
Deola Sagoe: This Nigerian designer has made a name for herself in mainstream fashion, with admirers like Oprah Winfrey and actress Anika Noni Rose. Using a modern silhouette, Sagoe’s latest collection mixes metallic, structured fabrics and muted colors for a refined effect.
Darryl Jagga: South African designer Darryl Jagga has worked for some of America’s top houses, including Calvin Klein. Chic and flirty, his pieces rely less on traditional African styles and feature lots of lace and ruffles. His latest spring collection is almost exclusively black and white, a sharp contrast to the bright color palette he’s used in past seasons.
Nadir Tati: Hailing from Angola, Tati’s blends bold, traditional prints and contemporary draping. Just last year, Tati won the 2010 “Best Designer of the Year” at her home country’s “Moda Luanda” awards. Tati will be showcasing her latest collection at African Fashion Week New York this year.
Funmilayo Csilla Deri: Born in Nigeria and based in London and Budapest, Deri’s clothes are as racy as they are luxurious. From leather to lace, Deri focuses on making garments that flatter the body and make a statement.
For hardcore followers of fashion, these names will probably be familiar—each designer has made an impact in his/her home country and has experienced success abroad. But for the rest of the world, African designers like these are diamonds in the rough, artists whose careers are poised to take off for a larger audience. With events like African Fashion Week New York, the cultural and artistic value of African designers will finally be recognized and appreciated. In London, Paris, and New York—all over the world—the drab, old colonial powers are trying to transcend the gray regime of fedora-ed, Brookes Brother’s, and Mephisto’s, and break through to a new level of global vibrancy.
African fashion has come a loonnng way, and the last few years we have seen the evolution of African prints, and designers coming out with their beautiful creations. Africa Fashion week New York came on the scene and I believe the Adiree team has done an amazing job, spotlighting African designers, giving exposure and allowing other continents to witness the beauty of Africa.
More designers need to get involve with fashion shows, making MARKETING AND PR their top priority for their brand is so essential, as nobody will see your work if it is tucked in a little facebook group. My point are 1, i applaud African designers, 2 Upcoming designers need to take this business seriously, if you need to be educated in the business of fashion then do so 3. enough with the copying, ive had it up to my throat to see African designers doing something so similar, its okay to draw some inspiration from other brands but for christ sake dont go making the same thing with different fabrics.
finally african designers need to invest well in all aspect of their business, i.e professional lookbooks, excellent photography and quality yet sensible prices