What Happened in African Fashion This Week.
- Hamza Olalekan Dosunmu
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
Africa’s fashion industry continues to expand through new collaborations, events, and institutional initiatives across the continent and its diaspora. This week’s developments highlight activity across different parts of the fashion ecosystem, including community organising, runway presentations, business training, and policy discussions.
Several initiatives focused on strengthening the systems that support fashion production and entrepreneurship. These include programmes addressing financial access, gender participation within supply chains, and training opportunities for emerging designers and fashion entrepreneurs.
At the same time, international fashion weeks, cultural showcases, and creative exchanges continue to increase the global visibility of African designers and brands. Alongside these platforms, local events, accelerators, and industry conversations are contributing to the professional development of the sector.
Together, these developments reflect an industry that is growing through both creative output and the expansion of the structures that support long-term development.
Clearly Invincible brings you the latest weekly African fashion recap.
Organisation
Kantamanto Women’s Association Marks International Women’s Day with Health Walk
The Kantamanto Women’s Association (K.W.A) marked International Women’s Day with a health walk that brought together more than 500 women in Kantamanto Market to promote preventative care and solidarity among women working across the market’s circular fashion economy.
Often described as the world’s largest secondhand clothing market, Kantamanto Market is powered largely by women who operate as traders, upcyclers, seamstresses, porters, and service providers. Despite their central role in sustaining both local livelihoods and the global resale economy, many continue to work without formal labour protections, retirement systems, or consistent access to healthcare.
Following a major market fire last year, a group of traders established Women of Kantamanto to strengthen financial resilience, improve wellbeing, and reshape public narratives surrounding the secondhand clothing trade.
According to organisers, more than 80 percent of Kantamanto retailers experience recurring debt, while only around 2 percent have access to healthcare. The event therefore combined community celebration with advocacy for improved support structures within the sector.
Participants wore secondhand T-shirts sourced and reprinted within the market, highlighting circular fashion practices and offering an alternative to disposable event merchandise commonly produced for such gatherings.
Organisation
Ethical Fashion Initiative Supports Gender Equity Training in Burkina Faso Cotton Sector
The Ethical Fashion Initiative (EFI), a programme of the International Trade Centre, has implemented a series of HeForShe training sessions in northern Burkina Faso aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation within the organic cotton value chain.
The programme brought together 250 men and women in Ouahigouya — a region significantly affected by displacement following insecurity that has forced nearly two million people to flee their homes since 2019. The city, previously home to around 200,000 residents, has received more than 140,000 displaced people during the crisis.
The training focuses on shifting household dynamics by encouraging shared domestic responsibilities, enabling women to participate more actively in income-generating activities such as trade, weaving, gardening, and local processing. Cotton remains one of Burkina Faso’s most significant export sectors, making it a key entry point for expanding women’s economic opportunities.
The initiative operates through collaboration between EFI, UN Women — which leads the HeForShe campaign — and the EU-ACP Business Friendly Programme supported by the European Union.
Approximately 89 percent of participants in the cotton-focused programme are women. Organisers note that shifting social norms alongside economic training can support productivity, enterprise development, and household financial stability even in contexts affected by conflict and displacement.
Fashion Week
Mossi Traoré Stages Fall 2026 Show at Paris Court of Appeal
Designer Mossi Traoré presented his Fall 2026 collection at the Paris Court of Appeal, marking the first fashion show ever staged at the historic judicial venue.
The presentation was conceived as a mock trial, with models cast as judges, lawyers, and witnesses. Each look drew from the formal wardrobe of the judiciary, reinterpreted through Traoré’s design language of structured volumes, sculptural silhouettes, and signature pleating.
Born in Paris to Malian parents, Traoré is a recipient of the ANDAM Pierre Bergé Prize and has developed parallel initiatives in education and training. Through Les Ateliers Alix — a couture-focused programme for underserved youth now partnered with Chanel — the designer integrates mentorship and skills development into his practice.
A solo exhibition of Traoré’s work is scheduled to open at the Mucem in Marseille this May.
Fashion Week
Laduma Ngxokolo Presents Maxhosa Africa Fall 2026 “Siyi-Kulture” at Paris Fashion Week
Laduma Ngxokolo presented the Fall 2026 collection for Maxhosa Africa, titled “Siyi-Kulture,” at Le Philanthro-Lab during Paris Fashion Week.
The presentation marked the brand’s fifth consecutive season on the official calendar, with Maxhosa Africa remaining the only Africa-based label currently showing within the schedule.
For the first time, Ngxokolo expanded beyond his native Xhosa design vocabulary, incorporating references from Zulu, Pedi, Tsonga, and Swati cultural traditions. These motifs were translated through the brand’s knitwear language using patterned intarsia, beadwork, and structured knit construction.
Maxhosa Africa now operates ten retail stores across South Africa and is developing a second manufacturing facility focused on heavier knitwear production.
The collection argued that African cultural influence should be recognised not only as aesthetic inspiration but also as measurable economic value within global fashion systems.
Award
Tolu Coker Honoured at ARISE Women of Impact Awards 2026
Designer Tolu Coker was among the 100 honourees recognised at the ARISE Women of Impact Awards 2026.
Held at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos to mark International Women’s Day, the event celebrated African women shaping progress across governance, business, healthcare, culture, technology, and social impact.
The evening brought together honourees from multiple African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Niger. Dignitaries in attendance included Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and Minister of Finance Wale Edun.
Alongside Coker, honourees included activist Yemi Adamolekun, filmmaker Kemi Adetiba, entrepreneur Deola Art-Alade, and anti-apartheid activist Sophie Williams De Bruyn.
The programme also featured musical performances including a surprise appearance by Tiwa Savage, while Asa closed the evening with a live set.
Collaboration
Fashion Law Institute Africa Partners with AIDA Awards
Fashion Law Institute Africa has announced a new partnership with the AIDA Awards, expanding collaboration around legal education and policy engagement within the African fashion sector.
Founded in 2021 by Bernice Asein, the institute focuses on research, education, and policy development aimed at strengthening legal frameworks across the continent’s fashion ecosystem.
Through the partnership, the institute will support the AIDA Awards community with knowledge-sharing initiatives centred on Afrocentric legal perspectives while also providing access to legal guidance and advisory services through its professional network.
The collaboration aims to increase legal awareness and policy literacy among fashion professionals while reinforcing the importance of legal infrastructure for sustainable industry growth.
Event
Building African Fashion to Host Conversation on Purchase Order Financing with Gary Wassner
Building African Fashion will host a virtual conversation on purchase order financing featuring Gary Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corporation.
Scheduled for 18 March, the session will examine financial mechanisms such as factoring, accounts receivable financing, and purchase order funding that allow fashion brands to produce and deliver retail orders while awaiting payment from buyers.
Through Hilldun, Wassner has supported the growth of global fashion labels including Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang, Betsey Johnson, Thom Browne, Golden Goose, Jason Wu, and Vivienne Westwood.
The discussion is aimed at fashion entrepreneurs seeking to understand the financial infrastructure required to fulfil large wholesale orders and scale through international retail partnerships.
Fashion Week
Eco Fashion Week Africa to Host Business Training for Fashion Creatives in Nairobi
Eco Fashion Week Africa will host an in-person business training programme for fashion creatives on 27 March 2026 in Nairobi.
The programme is organised in collaboration with Ananse Fashion Hub and Ananse Africa with support from the Mastercard Foundation.
Training will focus on practical business development tools for emerging designers, including e-commerce, digital merchandising, digital marketing, social media strategy, and product development.
Participants will also have access to sponsored fashion e-commerce photography for qualifying designers aimed at strengthening digital retail presentation.
The initiative seeks to equip African designers with the knowledge and infrastructure required to build sustainable fashion businesses.
Event
Tribal Chic 2026 Marks 15th Anniversary in Nairobi
The 2026 edition of Tribal Chic took place at Tribe Hotel in Nairobi, marking the event’s fifteenth anniversary with a runway programme built around the theme “The Four Elements” — earth, water, fire, and air.
Designers including Studio Lola, KikoRomeo, and Ikwetta presented collections exploring the elemental theme through material experimentation, colour, and sculptural silhouettes.
Indigo-dyed textiles associated with Malian craft traditions appeared in several collections, reinterpreted within a Kenyan design context.
Guests were also able to shop select runway pieces poolside following the show, extending the event beyond the runway into a retail experience.
Event
L’Oréal Paris Brings “Worth It” Empowerment Initiative to Nairobi
L’Oréal Paris is introducing the Nairobi edition of its global empowerment initiative “Worth It” through the Walk Your Worth event scheduled for 7 March 2026 at the Sarit Expo Centre.
The event will celebrate women shaping industries, supporting communities, and inspiring future generations.
A runway presentation featuring Kenyan designers will form part of the programme, blending global beauty aesthetics with local fashion expression.
The evening will also include storytelling segments where Kenyan women share experiences connected to their professional journeys and personal development.
Economic
WTO Event to Spotlight Cotton Value Chain in Yaoundé
A high-level cotton event will take place on 25 March in Yaoundé ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference.
Organised by the World Trade Organization with partners including the International Trade Centre, the International Labour Organization, and UNIDO, the event will bring together ministers, development finance institutions, and private-sector stakeholders.
The programme will launch the Partenariat pour le Coton Investment Platform outlining investment opportunities in the cotton-to-textile value chain across West and Central Africa.
The event will also feature a fashion show and a cotton-textile innovation exhibition highlighting designs from regional designers.
Economic
Nigerian Government Endorses Meet Africa Fashion Festival 2026
The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally endorsed the 2026 edition of the Meet Africa Fashion Festival (MAFEST).
The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has been designated as the lead coordinating body for the festival.
MAFEST is positioned as a pan-African platform bringing together designers, investors, and policymakers to strengthen the continent’s cotton, textile, and garment value chain.
The 2026 edition will take place under the theme “Take Your Place Africa!” and will feature runway showcases, exhibitions, conferences, and industry networking.
Organisation
Fashion Law Institute Africa Releases Top 100 Women in African Fashion List
Fashion Law Institute Africa has released the third edition of its Top 100 Women in African Fashion list to mark International Women’s Day.
The list recognises women shaping the fashion ecosystem across design, business, policy, education, media, and manufacturing.
Figures recognised include Sessi K, Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Aisha Ayensu, Rina Folawiyo, Wandia Gichuru, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, and Adama Ndiaye.
The initiative aims to document and highlight women contributing to innovation, cultural influence, and economic development across African fashion.
Organisation
Brand63 Africa Showcases Nigerian Designers at St James’s Palace Reception
Ahead of an upcoming Nigerian state visit to the United Kingdom, Brand63 Africa presented a curated showcase of Nigerian designers at a reception hosted by the British Royal Family at St James’s Palace celebrating the British-Nigerian diaspora.
Founded by Eva Omaghomi and curated by Lulu Shabell, the platform featured designers including Abiola Olusola, Orange Culture, and Toyero Studio.
Designer Torlowei also contributed mentorship support as part of the programme.
The event highlighted Nigerian fashion within the broader context of cultural diplomacy surrounding the state visit.
Organisation
F.A.S.T – Fashion Advancement & Startup Training Accelerator Announces Selected Founders
The selected applicants for the F.A.S.T – Fashion Advancement & Startup Training Accelerator have been announced, marking the next phase of the programme supporting emerging fashion entrepreneurs.
The accelerator focuses on helping founders build structured and scalable fashion businesses by strengthening operational and strategic foundations.
The programme is powered by FashionEvo in partnership with 360 Creative Hub.
Organisers noted strong interest from applicants across the fashion ecosystem.
Brand
PITH Africa Paris Pop-Up Concludes Three-Day Showcase in Paris
The three-day PITH Africa Paris Pop-Up concluded in Paris after bringing together African fashion, music, and creative exchange
between Lagos and the Paris diaspora.
The event opened with a Lagos-inspired immersive space featuring an African fashion barbershop installation, games, and music from the PITH sound system.
Visitors participated in a workshop hosted with Nike and Pabloshirtfactory, while a conversation organised with Talk Studio Paris explored collaboration between Lagos and Paris within the creative economy.
The programme also included a live painting easel where attendees created artwork throughout the event.
Across the three days, guests shopped collections, connected with creatives, and participated in workshops and cultural programming supported by Lagos x Paris and France in Nigeria.
Comments