AFWL 2025 Opens in Style with a Powerhouse Day 1 Line-Up
Africa Fashion Week London 2025 launched its 15th anniversary edition at Space House on 9th August with a extravagant celebration of African fashion, artistry, and cultural heritage. Across three dynamic shows at 2pm, 4pm, and 7pm, designers from across Africa and the diaspora brought the runway to life with a blend of tradition, innovation, and show-stopping performance.
Makenzy Creations – Image Credit: Fil Mazzarino
2PM — INSTITUTIONAL EXCELLENCE MEETS EMERGING TALENTOpening the day, the 2pm Catwalk Spectacular set the tone with an eclectic mix of established creative institutions and fresh independent voices.Highlights included Sarah Ajayi, the Winchester School of Art (MA Fashion Design & MA Textile Design), and the Manchester Metropolitan University Adire Project.Independent brands such as Afrowema, Silvia Osawe, MBW Fashion Addict, Makenzy Creations, Princess Vogue Fashions, Yetty Couture, Zainab O, and Minuel Designs delivered bold colour palettes, intricate textile work, and contemporary African silhouettes.
Shawanda Kollective x Henry Uduku – Image Credit: Fil Mazzarino
4PM — THE NEXT GENERATION TAKES CENTRE STAGEAt pm, the British Council Creative DNA Delegation presented a dazzling vision of Africa’s fashion future.Designers including Sevaria (Kenya), Epica Jewellery (Kenya), Kisaro Nairobi (Kenya), Ometsey (Ghana), Black Fine & Fly (Nigeria), Dagmawit (Ethiopia), Rungano Rwedu (Zimbabwe), Henri Uduku (Nigeria), and Shwanda Kollection (Uganda) showcased collections that fused cultural heritage with modern design techniques.The segment also featured Victoria Grace, Fassy Couture, UDefineU, ANTI, Mumini Fashion Since 1961 and Atnuda cementing the runway as a platform for innovation, ethical fashion, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Fassy Couture – Image Credit: Fil Mazzarino
7PM — A MULTISENSORY VIP SHOWCASEThe day closed with the VIP Atelier Catwalk, hosted by one of AFWL Founders Prince Kamari. Guests were treated to a special performance from the cast of Disney’s The Lion King and an immersive runway experience curated by Neuroscent, AFWL’s Official Aroma Partner.The designer line-up featured Soboye, David Wej Lagos, Mary Martin London, Sainte, Oldwyn and Simeogieme delivering couture elegance with theatrical flair. The show closed with Meta AI and Ifeanyi Nwune (Nigerian) showcase of Transcendence, delivering the first-ever AI-powered fashion collection
Samson Soboye – Image Credit: Fil Mazzarino
Now in its 15th year, AFWL continues to be Europe’s largest celebration of African fashion and a global platform for designers to reach new audiences. Day 1 reaffirmed its mission: to promote emerging and established talent, foster cross-cultural exchange, and spotlight Africa’s influence on the global fashion stage.
Meta AI x I.N. Official – Image Credit: Fil Mazzarino
