The city of Sao Paulo Brazil came alive recently as it welcomed designers from all fashion capital of the world- London, Paris, Ghana, and of course Nigeria for the median edition of the much anticipated Africa Fashion Week Brazil. It was a glamorous fashion show organized by wife of Ooni of Ife Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi in partnership with businesswoman Silvana Saraiva, Chairman of Brazil Chamber of Commerce and Chief Executive Officer, FeaFro Institute, Brazil.
The much-anticipated international fashion show, which was aimed at promoting the richness of African culture through fashion and more importantly, promoting trade and investment in the creative industry, was held at the Expo Center Norte, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The three-day event which kicked off on Thursday, May 25 to Saturday May 27 2003, saw a spectacular showcase of Africa’s cultural heritage and fashion.
The runway saw a display of classy cuts, haute couture, and ready-to-wear trendy pieces all distinctly made with the Adire and Ankara fabrics, to the delight of the audience. It also featured a special showcase of Adire Oodua by Nigeria’s frontline designer Ejiro Amos Tafiri.
A-line Adire dresses with statement sleeves, asymmetric tops paired with Adire trousers, and long skirts with extravagant organza hem, were the stars of the collection, all made with different types of Adire.
Designers, Fashion By Ashani, Wuraola4lar, Chiefo, Adire Teems, Pilz and Poiszn, Blingshiki, and Ejiro Amos-Tafiri who were supported for the event by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Enterprise Sponsors, Providus Bank, floored the runways with amazing designs, which projected the rich culture and dynamism in Nigeria’s fashion.
For the organiser Olori Ronke Ogunwusi, it was a delight to see that the Adire fabric of Nigeria is indeed taking centre stage at Africa Fashion Week Brazil. “It’s a great thing indeed for Nigeria as Adire is now being sought for across the globe,” she said.
Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, better known for her passion for the development of African culture and heritage, is the Founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Africa Fashion Week Nigeria. She is also the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Adire Oodua Textile Training Hub and Vice Chairman House of Oduduwa Foundation.
For her, Africa Fashion Week Brazil not only celebrates fashion but also serves as a channel for black emancipation.
The event, she said, aimed to dismantle the deeply ingrained perception of inferiority associated with Afro-Brazilian fashion and culture. It sought to empower the Afro-Brazilian community by providing a platform to showcase their talents, challenge stereotypes, and redefine their identity on their own terms, while improving economic ties between both countries.
With the successful hosting of the AFWBrazil, the countdown is on for this year’s edition of the Africa Fashion Week London. Billed to hold from the October 27 to October 29, the AFW London will play host to about 60 designers and 100 exhibitors from around Africa and Europe. It is Europe’s largest fashion event aimed at promoting African design talent from the diaspora.
Founded in 2011 by Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, AFWL is focused on encouraging trade for African designers within the global community and helps to nurture them on a global scale.