African Fashion International is opening its Johannesburg Fashion Week experience on 10 October 2019 with the highly billed 'African Fashion Unites' show. With a tantalizing fusion of African cuisine and music on their menu, this will be accompanied by a Pan-African fashion showcase with designers Christie Brown from Ghana; Maxhosa by South Africa's finest and innovative knitwear brand, founded in 2012, by Laduma Ngxokolo; Gavin Rajah (South Africa); Eric Raisina (Madagascar); Mai Atafo (Nigeria); Kahindo Mateena (DRC/USA); Laurence Airline (Ivory Coast); KLûK CGDT (South Africa); Moshions (Rwanda) and South Africa's contemporary athleisure brand, Nao Serati, founded in 2014 by Neo Serati. The brand champions unapologetic self expression in unisex garments that explore the margins of gender and sexuality, creating awareness around what is a man or woman in modern-day Africa.
Photo: African Fashion International
What To look Out For
Expect an opening show featuring performances by renowned artists such as South Africa's very own hip-hop star, Cassper Nyovest, much celebrated Nigerian artist, Fela Kuti and the exceptional Ndlovu Youth Choir, with a special Pan-African menu designed by multi award-winning chef, Coco Reinarhz of Epicure Restaurant.
Photo: African Fashion International
"Africa Belongs To Africans"
AFI Founder, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, who is a recipient of the Franca Sozzani Award for her active work in creating space for African Fashion designers globally, stated that the core of this year's AFI Johannesburg Fashion Week is to "unite the continent in its diversity"."AFI believes in the promise of Africa. With the recently concluded continent-wide AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area), the continent has a large enough market to increase intra-African trade," says Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.
Thebe Magugu (LVMH Young Fashion Designer) interviewed by AFI Director, Dr Precious Moloi Motsepe, at the 2019 AFI Fast Track fashion show. Photo: Supplied
Designers
Thursday: 10 October 2019
19:00: Gavin Rajah - South Africa20:00: David Tlale - South Africa
21:00: Masango by Siphosihle - South Africa, House of Jahdara - Nigeria
21:30: Keletso Moraba - South Africa, Taússy Daniel - Mozambique
Friday: 11 October 2019
19:00: Loin Cloth and Ashes - South Africa20:00: Rich Factory - South Africa
21:00: PALSE - South Africa
21:30: Taibo Bacar - Mozambique
Saturday: 12 October 2019
12:00 - 14:00: AFI INSIDER: MASTERCLASS17:00: Sai Sankoh - Sierra Leone/ United States of America
18:00: Kreyann' - Cameroon, Khosi Nkosi - South Africa
19:15: Laurence Airline - Ivory Coast, Sheria Ngowi - Tanzania
20:15: Ituen Basi - Nigeria, La Art Neviole Emporuim - South Africa
21:00: OM Style Avenue - South Africa
Dr Precious Moloi Motsepe seated front row with Gavin Rajah and Suzy Menkes. Photo: Supplied.
Venue
Sandton Convention CentreTheme
Celebrating Africa, be on the look out for the #IAmAfrica hashtag!Be the first to shop designer collections straight from the runway at AFI’s Designer Boutique pop-up store! For more details, go to www.africanfashioninternational.com.
Bring a friend and celebrate Africa’s creative spirit at AFI Joburg Fashion Week!
Photo: African Fashion International