Inaugural Africa Fashion Week to bolster continental design industry

13 Mar '09

4 min read

Added Hamilton “New York's hippest boutique, Opening Ceremony, which is very influential in the young and trendy designer market, highlights particular countries when stocking its store. Previously it has looked to Sweden and Japan. But for spring 2009, it is stocking African designers. “

Africa Fashion Week which will feature designers from up to 15 countries is set to become an annual event that will eventually be hosted by different countries on the continent, with organisers confident that it can evolve into one of the world's major fashion weeks.

Joburg Tourism Company CEO, Lindiwe Mahlangu commented that by hosting the Confederations Cup and events like Africa Fashion Week, Joburg would once again be cementing its status as a world-class African city. “This initiative from African Fashion International will showcase the very best of Africa's creative design talents to an unprecedented global audience in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup in 2010.”

“Just as all the infrastructure and investment tied to the World Cup will benefit the continent as a whole in years to come, this fashion showcase should also leave a lasting legacy beyond 2010, stimulating the sector by taking African fashion to the world” says Dr Precious Molo-Motsepe.

Africa Fashion Week