By Christy Anyanwu
Africa Fashion Week London, AFWL, the biggest annual fashion exhibition and catwalk show in the United Kingdom designed to support, promote and inspire African designers, fabric and culture, returns for its 13th edition with a bigger and better package.
The AFWL 2023 is aimed at celebrating UkK’s Black History Month in October. It is billed to hold from October 27th to 29th at the London Olympia, Kensington, with 50 designer catwalk shows, and 30 digital designers fashion films, closing with a VIP grand finale show slated for the evening of Sunday, October 29, 2023.
Over the years, the event has hosted over 1200 designers and exhibitors, with an estimated audience of 80,000, including industry professionals, buyers, retailers, and global media.
It was founded in 2011 by Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, with the aim of increasing the exposure and recognition of African designers by providing them with a cost-effective global platform to showcase their work.
The primary focus Queen Ronke says is on emerging African heritage designers and SMEs who are often overlooked by major fashion events or are only given token representation. “At AFWL, we ensure that our designers receive equal opportunities for promotion, access to buyers, and a chance to display their work in a world-class venue.
“Our ultimate objective is to make African-inspired fashion not only a popular choice but also a formidable competitor to established fashion houses.”
A feat which Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi has achieved over the years via the AFWL, the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria – the sister platform of AFWL and most recently the AFWBrazil, where the indigenous Adire Oodua fabric shone brightly on the runway.