What Happened in African Fashion This Week
- bolaji akinwande
- Sep 6
- 4 min read
The African Fashion Foundation unveils its second fashion incubator, spotlighting a new wave of African designers. British-Nigerian-Brazilian creative Torishéju Dumi takes home the prestigious Savoir-Faire Prize under the LVMH Prize. And in Lagos, Afrikstabel, one of Nigeria’s leading textile producers, sets the stage for a textile-centered exhibition.
Clearly Invincible brings you the latest in our weekly African fashion recap. Here's everything that happened this week.
Innovation.
AFRICAN FASHION FOUNDATION UNVEILS SECOND AFRICAN FASHION FUTURES INCUBATOR IN KIGALI
The African Fashion Foundation is an initiative aimed at empowering fashion designers and entrepreneurs from Africa and the diaspora by providing professional and educational opportunities. Recently, the powerhouse launched its second African Fashion Futures Incubator in Kigali, Rwanda. The African Fashion Futures Incubator (AFF-II-2025) is a twelve-month program designed to provide participating designers with a cohesive support system, including financial capital, strategic consultation services, marketing expertise, and logistical aid.
The aim of the incubator program is to help African fashion designers and creatives stand on higher ground internationally. The second cohort will feature 15 brands from different African countries. So far, names such as African Yuva (Kenya), Afrowema (Kenya), Bloombyedzi (Ghana), Complex Department (Ghana), and February by Serwaa (Ghana) have been announced, with more to be revealed. In addition, the participating designers in this year’s cohort will present collections during a series of events, including The Industry Retreat in October 2025, LA Fashion Week in December 2025, and London Fashion Week in February 2026.
Personality.
TORISHÉJU DUMI WINS THE 2025 LVMH SAVOIR-FAIRE PRIZE
Torishéju Dumi is a British-Nigerian-Brazilian designer and the founder of her eponymous fashion brand, Torishéju, known for its bold cuts and voluminous designs inspired by her multicultural background. Earlier this year, she became one of the African designers of origin shortlisted for the LVMH Prize, a prestigious award aimed at recognizing young fashion designers for their talent and creativity. Most recently, she won the Savoir-Faire Prize; she will receive €200,000 and benefit from a one-year mentorship with a team of LVMH experts.
Event.
NIGERIAN TEXTILE COMPANY AFRIKSTABEL TO HOST EXHIBITION THIS SEPTEMBER
Afrikstabel is a Nigeria-based textile production company known for creating sustainable and indigenous textiles for fashion and interior design. The brand specializes in Batik, Adire, Tie-dye, Aṣọ Òkè, Akwete, and other handwoven fabrics. This September, Afrikstabel will host a textile exhibition titled “In the Beginning, There Was Cloth.” The exhibition will explore and honour the political, cultural, and historical narratives surrounding three main textiles: Uli, Akwete, and Adire. It will run from September 27 to October 1, 2025.
Collection.
NIGERIAN BRAND NiNiE RELEASES ITS FIRST ALL-FEMALE COLLECTION TITLED “ALL BOYS OUT”
NiNiE is a Nigeria-based contemporary brand known for its unisex and functional pieces, fusing traditional and streetwear aesthetics. The brand has recently unveiled its first all-female collection, titled “All Boys Out.” The collection showcases NiNiE’s sharp, streetwear-inspired tailoring reimagined through a feminine lens. Rendered in rich brown tones, the body of work draws inspiration from the brand’s 2020 showcase, Shade of Man. Key pieces include classic suit sets, structured skirts, oversized shorts, shirts, jackets, and more—offering a refined balance between workwear and feminine chicness.
Event.
LAGOS X PARIS BRINGS NIGERIAN FASHION TALENT TO GLOBAL STAGE AT WHO’S NEXT PARIS
LagosXParis is a platform under Creation Africa Nigeria, a broader initiative of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. The platform supports the growth of Nigerian fashion and design brands through accelerators, masterclasses, and events. This September, it will showcase two Nigerian brands- Refaini, a jewelry brand known for its consciously crafted pieces, and Aaboux, a Lagos-based luxury leather brand- at the Who’s Next event in Paris. Who’s Next is a three-day event dedicated to presenting new collections of ready-to-wear, accessories, beauty, and lifestyle brands to fashion industry professionals and buyers from around the world.
Showcase.
TWELVE CANEX COHORT DESIGNERS SHOWCASE THEIR COLLECTIONS AT TRANOÏ TOKYO
The Creative Africa Nexus (CANNEX) is a programme that supports the development of Africa’s Creative and Cultural Industries. Since 2021, the programme has supported over 100 designers from 34 countries through CANNEXPresentAfrica.
This week, the programme unveiled 12 designers, namely Boyedoe (Ghana), Dennis Chuene (South Africa), Dye Lab (Nigeria), Emmy Kasbit (Nigeria), Fozia Endrias (Ethiopia), Hamaji Studio (Kenya), JZO (Nigeria), Late For Work (Morocco), Sarah Maj (Morocco), The Cloth (Trinidad and Tobago), Victor Hart (Ghana), and Wuman (Nigeria), who all showcased at Tranoï Tokyo, one of Japan’s most prestigious fashion trade events.
The cross-continental collaboration is aimed at bringing together a community of emerging and established designers and brands in one of the world's fashion capitals- Japan.
Brand.
NIGERIAN JEWELERY LABEL REFINE STUDIOS REBRANDS AS RÈFAINÌ
Nigerian jewelery brand Refine Studios has officially rebranded as RÈFAINÌ. Known for its sculptural, consciously crafted pieces that celebrate Africa’s hidden treasures, the label reimagines cultural heritage through wearable art. The new name marks a bold evolution of the brand’s identity and ethos, signalling its continued commitment to innovation and storytelling through design.
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