The Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) has officially set the tone for its highly anticipated 10th-anniversary celebration with a successful press conference held earlier this week. The event, scheduled for December 6-8, 2024, at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, promises a spectacular showcase of African fashion.
During the briefing, AFWN reaffirmed its mission as a springboard for emerging African designers. “Every year, I can say 80% of our designers are young brands who have not showcased on a global stage before. We are that support system that gives them the opportunity to bring out their creativity. A lot of big names have showcased at one point on the AFWN platform,” said Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, founder of AFWN.
In her opening speech, Queen Aderonke emphasized the synergy between AFWN and its sister event, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL). “For the past 14 and 11 years, AFWN and AFWL have fostered the growth of African creatives. Since 2011, AFWN has exhibited over 3,000 brands both locally and internationally,” she stated. Beyond the runway, AFWN plays a vital role in educating global audiences about African fashion while preserving cultural heritage through initiatives like the Adire Oodua Textile Training and Production Hub.
The press conference also unveiled exciting new partnerships, including one with Sterling Bank. Speaking on the collaboration, Chidinma Okoli, Sterling Bank’s Brand Manager, highlighted the bank’s commitment to fostering economic development and cultural innovation. “With the fashion sector contributing billions annually to Nigeria’s GDP and growing at a remarkable rate, through this partnership, we are committed to making AFWN a platform for amplifying Nigerian talent, creativity, and sustainable growth,” she said.The 10th-anniversary celebration will feature a Commerce and Creativity Summit on December 6, including the Young Designers Competition, offering participants the chance to win a fully sponsored trip to showcase at the next Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) in 2025. December 7 will spotlight established designers from across Africa in a dazzling catwalk show. The event will wrap up on December 8 with the Luxury Hearts Fundraiser, supported by Elizabeth Miller PR, benefiting charities like the Sickle Cell Foundation and Rural Rays Africa. First Lady Olufolake Abdulrazaq and other prominent figures are expected to grace the event.
Queen Aderonke reiterated AFWN’s broader vision: “Our vision is empowering creatives for financial sustainability.” This vision aligns with AFWN’s commitment to fostering African talent, celebrating African culture, and establishing sustainable opportunities for creatives across the industry.