What Happened in African Fashion This Week
- bolaji akinwande
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
This week collaboration and the bridging of two cultures collide in Lagos, Nigeria with the Lagos-Sweden fashion show, while in Burkina Faso, the government bans second-handing clothing as a way to promote and enforce economic independence, and in Zambia, a young designer becomes the recipient of the African Fashion Development Initiative (AFDI) micro grant.
Here is everything that happened in African fashion this week.
Showcase
NIGERIAN WOMENSWEAR BRAND EHIWOMAN TO PRESENT "SHE ON TRANSIT" CAPSULE COLLECTION IN GHANA
Ehiwoman, a Nigerian ready-to-wear label under the pan-African fashion and lifestyle group Ehigroup, is set to showcase a new capsule collection titled She on Transit. Known for its vibrant, feminine silhouettes and its fusion of African textiles, the brand draws inspiration from the everyday woman constantly on the move. The launch will include a live styling presentation by fashion stylist Ramona McDermott (also known as Amfashion), taking place at Ehiwoman’s flagship store in Accra, Ghana.
Organisation
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF ARTS AND CULTURE TO LAUNCH FASHION INITIATIVE AT UN TOURISM SUMMIT
The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy (FMACTCE) is set to launch Nigeria Everywhere: The Creative Collection—an initiative celebrating Nigeria’s growing influence in global fashion. Debuting in June 2025 at the 68th UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF), the collection will feature Fashion Focus, a stakeholder engagement platform including panel discussions, exhibitions, a designer roundtable, and curated market installations. Fashion Focus is designed for fashion creatives, cultural diplomats, and policymakers to explore intersections between fashion, culture, and policy.
Personality
GHANAIAN-U.S DESIGNER KWAME ADUSEI WINS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD AT THE FASHION TRUST U.S AWARDS
Ghanaian-American designer Nana Kwame Adusei, founder of the Kwame Adusei brand, has won the Sustainability Award at the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards, earning a $500,000 grant. The accolade recognises and supports emerging U.S.-based fashion designers with a focus on sustainability. Adusei joins a growing list of African-origin designers who have been celebrated by the awards, including Nigerian-Dominican duo Dynasty and Soull Ogun of L’Enchanteur, Ghana’s Papa Oppong, and Togolese designer Jacques Agbobly of Agbobly.
Showcase
LISA FOLAWIYO AND EMMY KASBIT SHOWCASE AT THE NIGERIA-SWEDEN FASHION SHOW IN LAGOS
On Thursday 9th April, Nigerian fashion brands Lisa Folawiyo and Emmy Kasbit unveiled their latest collections during a special showcase in Lagos, held in honour of the visit of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Folawiyo presented “Coll 1 2025,” first introduced in November 2024, while Emmy Kasbit debuted their new Autumn/Winter collection, “On Becoming.” The event was hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Nigeria.
Event
ECOBANK ANNOUNCES FASHION SHOWCASE "OJA-OGE"
Ecobank Nigeria Limited has announced the second edition of the 3-days fashion, beauty, and wellness exhibition titled Oja Oge. Oja Oge will feature over 100 exhibitors in the fashion and beauty industry, and will take place over Easter weekend from April 18th-20th, 2025 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC). The event is targeted to support Nigeria's creative sector in addition to empowering small businesses across the country.
Collection
MATHEO RELEASES "REBIRTH OF RWANDA" COLLECTION
Matheo is a Rwanda-based Afro-futuristic fashion brand, founded in 2020 by Maurice Niyigena. Their new collection titled "Rebirth of Rwanda: Chap II- Ibang ry'Amaraso" is a tribute to the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. The brand's latest offering features dramatic and avant-garde pieces mostly in white with a touch of red signifying mourning, memory, and the resilience of the Rwandan people.
Law
BURKINA FASO BANS SECOND-HAND CLOTHING
Burkina Faso has enacted a ban on second-hand clothing imports, aiming to revive its local textile industry and reduce reliance on foreign castoffs. This move, announced this week, is part of the government's broader push to boost the economy and promote homegrown fashion. Officials argue that imported second-hand clothes flood the market, harming local businesses and cultural identity. The decision reflects growing calls across Africa for economic independence and cultural pride, with many local designers and textile producers praising the ban as a step toward revitalising African fashion.
Personality
ZAMBIA DESIGNER LUBONA CHIBWA ABIGAIL WINS THE AFDI Q2 MICROGRANT
Lubona Chibwa Abigail is the recipient of the African Fashion Development Initiative micro grant, which supports African creatives working in fashion, textiles, and craftsmanship. Lubona, the founder of Kuchubé a sustainable fashion brand in Zambia, transforms textile waste into handcrafted crochet pieces, promoting eco-friendly and ethical fashion. This grant will aid her efforts to advance Africa's fashion industry, specifically focusing on upcycling and sustainability in the region.
Showcase
NIGERIAN BRAND AMINA THE BRAND TO SHOWCASE "BLOSSOM" CRUISE COLLECTION IN ABU DHABI
Amina The Brand is a Nigerian womenswear clothing brand rooted in modesty and heritage. The brand will present "Blossom", a cruise collection on the 15th of April during Modest Fashion Week in Abu Dhabi. The cruise collection is inspired by organic growth and self-discovery and will feature soft floral silhouettes. Amina The Brand joins many other Nigerian and African designers who are helping put fashion from the continent on a global platform.
Join us in shaping the future of African fashion. Sign Up to become a part of the Clearly Invincible fashion community and for a consultation to aid your fashion entrepreneurship journey.
Fashion Services: Illustrations | Collection Planning | Portfolio's | Consultations
Comentarios