HUB OF AFRICA FASHION WEEK 2026: 15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
- Hamza Olalekan Dosunmu
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Dates: January 13-17, 2026
Location: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Theme: Rewired
Edition: 15th Anniversary
Founders/Organizers:
Mahlet Teklemariam (BoF Class of 2025)
Natanem Teklemariam
Key Partners & Sponsors:
British Council (Creative DNA 3.0 Programme)
Fashion Africa 254 (FA254) - Led by Waridi Schrobsdorff/Linda Murithi
Moscow Fashion Week (2nd year collaboration)
Goethe Institut Addis Ababa
DESIGNERS & BRANDS SHOWCASED
Established Ethiopian Designers:
MAFI MAFI - Mahlet Afework (6th+ appearance at HAFW)
Samra Luxury Leather - Opened the week
Naked Ape - 3rd showing, knitwear inspired by tribal patterns
Dagmawit - 2nd appearance, "Between Tones" collection
Meron Couture - "Elegance Essence" collection
BEZA - "BIRHAN" collection
Asharo - Leather and woven prints with bold lettering
Hinde Ke - By Hiwot Takele, soft silhouettes and floral motifs
Creative DNA (CDNA) 3.0 Programme Designers (10 emerging designers supported by British Council):
Re. Colored Lab
Bere Har
METII (Metii Upcycled) - Denim and lace upcycling
Mehon
Dann
Mastewal (Lecturer/Designer)
Afropian
Zemenay
Natanem Couture - By Natanem Wondwossen
Photo Credit: HAFW International/Continental Designers:
From Nigeria:
1. Ejiro Amos Tafiri - Timeless elegant designs
From South Africa:
2. Mantsho - 3rd appearance (following 2018 H&M collaboration)
From Russia (Moscow Fashion Week Collaboration):
3. Ermilov - "Shades of Grey" collection
From Kenya:
4. Studio Fit - By Sheila King'ori (SAFARI, KIANGAZI, BAHARI chapters)
Innovation Spotlight:
5. TechStitched XR - Daniel Getachew, first virtual reality designer at HAFW
KEY PROGRAMMING
Runway Shows: Creative DNA emerging designers → Mid-career
(2-3 years development) → Established Ethiopian designers → Selected continental designers
Photo Credit: Pearls and Loafs Industry Dialogues:
Core Round Table Talk - Hosted by Linda Murithi (Strategic Fashion Facilitator)
Topics: Growth, collaboration, sustainability
Experiential Events:
The Fashion Tour - Visiting workshops and production spaces across Addis Ababa
Exhibitions and talks
Official Photographer: Mekbib Tadesse
Photo Credit: Pearls and Loafs ATTENDANCE & REACH
Third-largest fashion platform on the African continent
Timing Significance: Held in January during Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas when diaspora returns home
Geographic Representation:
Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Morocco, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Egypt, Botswana, Ivory Coast, and United Kingdom
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