Venue: Gibson Hall, 13 Bishopgate London.
Dates: 5th and 6th August 2011.
Designers: JB Afrique, Anita Quansah London, Maze Couture, Vaishali Morjaria Creations, J by Jak, 1979, Nkiru, Kenema, Turita Fogg, Racheal Kisti Designs, A.N.Y.A Couture, AAMAA a La Mode, Zekarya Solomon, Bebegrafiti, St Genevieve, House Bunor, Afrikanus, Glamelle Boutik, Lilia Milpetrov, Ozora
I attended the 2nd day of AFWL and attended the first 3 shows. Click on the HD symbol to watch the video I made using the Nokia N8 in High Definition.
After successful events in New York and Johannesburg, AWF organised its first event in London. There was a few hiccups, which is to be expected with it being the first event. 700 people who registered online to attend, were unable to access the shows, due to over subscription.
I was very lucky to be invited by comic relief’s www.seeafricadifferently.com. Who’s mission it is, to change the Western Worlds image of Africa and to see the Continent in a different light. We were allowed VIP access, which included front row and backstage passes
Click on an image below to enlarge it
There was British and International African designers from countries such as Nigeria, Gambia, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Angola, Congo and Eritrea. There really was a complete mix of Designs, no one designer was the same. The shows were rich in colour and vibrant prints and designs. One designers inspiration was on curtains, which I found amusing .
One of the Designers was still in her teens, which is not only inspiring to youth in Africa, but all over the world. The designers would refer back to their culture to inspire their designs. Kenema’s inspiration behind her SS12 collection was the Mende tribe of Sierra Leone. The designs included African fabric, tie die and beautiful embroidery. A number of her designs focus on the back, as she feels that is the most sensual part of a woman’s body.
Most of the designs I felt were very modern, but with that African twist. a number of the designers were From the UK, so the designs reflected that also.
Backstage With Models
African Beauties – Street style
From left to right
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Miss London Rissikat Bade
You can see the rest of the photos in the Memoir Mode Facebook Gallery
