.The brand triumphs against odds and remains the unmatched crowd-puller to Europe’s biggest African fashion showcase.

Guest of Honour: Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo addresses the AFWL crowd.

.The brand triumphs against odds and remains the unmatched crowd-puller to Europe’s biggest African fashion showcase.  Africa Fashion Week London 2016 came and concluded with its renown pomp and grandeur, showcasing 40 designers from across Africa and its Diaspora and over 50 exhibitors - delighting thousands of  fashionistas,  shoppers, as well as high profile dignitaries including Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo – wife of the vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo. The BBC World’s Focus on Africa screened a pre-event catwalk show live to its 3 million plus viewers, a day before - setting a backdrop to what was to come in the main shows held on 9 -10 September.  Mrs Osinbajo was not only the guest of honour, but she was also at the show to support to Step Up - her charitable initiative which trains women and men with various skills required to start up a small business. The initiative took to the AFWL runaway with Step Up African print bags in conjunction with designerLady Biba.  Also in the house were officials from supporting partners – ONE LAGOS, The Bank of Industry (Nigeria), The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, The Sun Nigeria and The New African Woman.   This year, over 6,000 lovers of African fashion and fashion inspired by Africa descended on London Olympia for the increasingly popular show, which is in its 6th year -  three of which have taken place at the  famous west London  venue.   That’s not to say there were not issues… “Our main challenge this year was the Olympia venue staff. Despite the fact that this was our third year at the Olympia, they were very difficult to work with and made seamless execution of this year’s shows very hard to do, but we did what we had to.  We look after so many designers and exhibitors.  They come to our platform because of what we can offer, so we had a duty of care to make sure they have the best experience.  This year, though, was certainly a challenge.”                                                                                           AFWL CEO and Founder Ronke Ademiluy ________________________________________________________________________________ Over a thousand attending the last show were left stunned, when the grand finale by headline designer Tanzania’s respected Mustapha Hassanali, was stopped, when venue staff abruptly cut off of power 5 minutes into the highly anticipated show.  But despite what was going on behind the scenes, the African Fashion Week London revellers were in for the usual hefty dose of African splendour. Back-to-back, both established and up coming designers wowed the jubilant crowd. Starting with the opening show by Didi Creations who lit up the runway in vibrant mustard yellow, red and blue Kaftans, right up to the Hassanali’s final show Mirage collection – an explosion of sequins meet chiffon which stood true to the medical doctor, turned designer’s signature inventive evening gowns, AFWL did what it does best – excite London and Europe at large, with what Africa offers. The AFWL audience were especially delighted to see menswear take to the stage as a major force this year.  Channeling Congo’s Sapeurs and innovative street-wear. Caesar Couture, Niposkin and Sly Monay and London’s Soboye brought the A-game to men’s fashion. And in a first for the AFWL catwalk, Modest Wear was a feature of Saturday’s show. Bold textiles and exquisite embroidery starred in an innovative collection by The Co-Identity Collection aimed at Islamic women.          “Overall it was a great show, despite the challenges we had with the venue; feedback from designers, exhibitors and the general public has been good, but we know there is room for improvement in the way we protect our staff, guests, designers and exhibitors from negative outside influences,” concedes Ademiluyi.   2016 Designer Collections – Day 1 2016 Designer Collections – Day 2 SPONSORS PARTNERS & MEDIA PARTNERS

AFTV-Mecerdes Benz fashion week Joburg SS16

Soboye to showcase their Men's and Women's wear inspired By colour blue at African fashion Week London

SOBOYE will also be showcasing their SOBOYE BLUE collection on the AFWL 2016 runway.

Soboye Blue is a collection of Men’s & Women’s clothing inspired by the color blue…
Blue is tranquil, calming and moody. The color of the mighty sea and the expansive sky, it evokes the excited feeling of cruise travel and far off horizons.

Apart from being a great base color SOBOYE considered Indigo and it’s many hues as the starting point to build a directional collection.

Light and dark Denim is used liberally and mixed with African Print to add punch to a sharp collection of tailoring and separates. Vlisco Ankara is used to trim Jackets and trousers whilst full print shirts punctuate the collection.

Following on from the successful ‘Afro Dandy’s’ collection SOBOYE trail-blazes with their modern take on design and fuses their Nigerian heritage with their British upbringing…

Samson SOBOYE the creative director behind the brand is also the owner of the Afro-Chic Fashion & Lifestyle Boutique SOBOYE, which celebrates and showcases the best in African Design.  Also a reputable Fashion Stylist and Central St. Martin’s Graduate, Samson has spearheaded the way in London for the love and appreciation of high-end African designed and manufactured products and is the go-to boutique for many a celebrity and as well as discerning clientele.

Having shown at Lagos Design & Fashion Week 2014/15 and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, this will be Soboye's debut showing at Africa Fashion Week London.

AFWL 2016 Will Include 5 Catwalk Shows | 60 Designers | AFWL Expo & Entertainment.

---

• FRIDAY THE 9TH OF SEPTEMBER – Fashion Show and Exhibition

---

• SATURDAY THE 10TH OF SEPTEMBER – Fashion Show and Exhibition

---