Couture D’Afrique shows that Africa is the future of fashion

Powerful pan-African event concludes a successful MBFWJ16

Johannesburg, Gauteng, 16 August 2016 – Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg 2016 ended on a fashionably high note when AFI Privé presented Couture D’Afrique in association with PUMA SELECT, to a high-profile audience in a venue that didn’t have one seat unoccupied. The clothes were created by the designers and the show featured a selection of shoes and accessories from PUMA SELECT.

“Couture D’Afrique brings together pan-African designers on one platform,” says Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe, executive chairperson of African Fashion International (AFI). “It features a group of the most inspiring designers from eleven African countries, who have an opportunity to showcase their country in the most captivating way, whilst also bringing the most beautiful African fashion to a global stage.”

Talented Angolan fashion designer Soraya da Piedade is passionate about design and her label, and she creates fashion for strong, independent women. She presented an elegant and innovative sheer and stripes collection in yellows and greys, with full skirts and tailored trousers.

From Gabon comes Jessica Nguema-Metoule, with her brand Otinguema. While she has fashion experience from around the world, her inspiration comes from the cultural richness and diversity of Africa. Otinguema featured a colour palette of greys, blues and pinks in a stunning casual summer range.

Proudly representing South Africa was Laduma with his beautiful MaXhosa range. His distinctive knitwear brand celebrates his proud Xhosa heritage and it continues to impress audiences locally and around the world.

While Congolese-born Tina Lobondi was raised in France and now lives in London, her heritage always forms part of her collections. This well respected designer did herself proud with a sea green and blue collection of trousers, shorts and dresses.

Female-owned fashion brand Haute Baso is committed to collaborating with fellow Rwandan artisans, and the brand uses fashion as a vehicle for empowerment in Rwanda. Haute Baso was a lesson in how to effortlessly combine military, utility and camo to create a slick womenswear range.

From Tanzania comes the award-winning and charismatic menswear designer Sheria Ngowi, with a brand that is primarily motivated by the dressing style of Ngowi’s late father. He produced a sleek, elegant range that portrayed the image of the African gentleman.

Voluminous skirts and tribal prints came from KikoRomeo by Ann McCreath. This leading fashion label specialises in African-inspired contemporary clothing, dressing Kenya’s A-list and putting the country firmly on the global fashion map.

The award-winning, playful and colourful brand Mina Evans is proudly Ghanaian. The luxury fashion brand perfectly showed off the feminine form in the ultimate little black dress and jumpsuit, with gold accessories.

With tasteful tunics and trousers, one of Côte d'Ivoire’s top designers Ciss Saint Moïse, proved that modest wear is highly fashionable. In a testament to his character, he also showed appreciation for his models by high-fiving them on his way down the runway.

Adama Paris is the label owned and operated by Senegalese fashion designer Adama Amanda Ndiaye. She is the epitome of multicultural fashion and her show was all about big headdresses in pink or blue, with matching shoes and a collection of monochrome magic.

The womenswear brand Osuare, is worn by some of Nigeria’s biggest celebrities but as it’s inspired by cultures from around the world, it has global appeal. Osuare had fun with this collection, producing a range of white minis with colourful beaded elements throughout.

“Couture D’Afrique embraces and celebrates fashion from across the continent and it was a spectacular way to end off a successful week of fashion. We are immensely proud of all the designers who showcased their beautiful clothing on this global platform. Our commitment at AFI is to take African fashion from the ramp to the global stage and we believe that this fashion week and this fashion event is the vehicle to achieve this,” says Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe.