Africa Fashion Week London pays tribute to icon, Grace Jones |
On a less than beautiful summer’s day, Africa Fashion Week London took over the Riverside Terrace at Southbank Centre for Meltdown Festival and a fashion extravaganza inspired by Grace Jone’s iconic fashions.Continuing AFWL’s dedication to promoting and uplifting design graduates of colour, the show started with three mini-collections apiece from the Universities of Northampton and West London. Themes of protest were evident in both universities’ collections. Black Lives Matter and awareness of misogynoir- the unique discrimination faced by black women, featured in powerful graphic print.The main show brought drama,rain, African haute couture and elaborate accessories. Prestige designers: Adebayo Jones, Elfreda Dali, Sista by Eyoro, Soboye, Mary Martin London and Kalikas Armour, showcased glamour, command of design and tailoring and meant that Southbank had never been well-dressed. |
University of West London 2022 Graduates |
Chevon La Blanc Donatella Onori Angela Onorato |
University of Northampton 2022 Graduates |
Julia Agba Hafsa Khanum Maya Burrows |
Adebayo Jones |
The main show continued with an african haute couture masterclass with Adebayo Jones |
Elfreda Dali |
Followed by unusual Nigerian designer, Elfreda Dali, with her drop crystal-encrusted mesh and denim silhouettes. |
Sista by Eyoro x Adire Oodua Textile Hub |
Sista by Eyoro showcased her love of the Adire fabric with her signature layers – this time with shorts and duster jackets in indigo wax resist print. |
Soboye |
Premier designer and AFWL Head Stylist, Soboye, gave us his evolving Lagos 54 collection, this time including a fabulous neoprene wedding dress and an experiment with Adire from the Adire Oodua Textile Hub. |
Mary Martin London |
Mary Martin London always brings drama to the catwalk. Showcasing four new designs from her next inspiration, designs included a dress made entirely of wire, exaggerated neckpieces and headpieces. The fan favourite Gold Coast Dress made another showing |
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