Hello Afro fashionistas, come in here and take a look at the top African fashion shows in Europe. It is no news that African and African inspired fashion has caught the attention of the world. From celebrities like Beyonce, Solange, Rihanna and much more spotted wearing African prints and designs, to top fashion designers like Stella Jean and other top brands using African prints for their designs, African prints and fashion has come a long way.
Before Rihanna were Alicia Keys, Thandie Newton, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Gwen Steffani, Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, Solange Knowles, Lydia Hearst, Amber Rose, Angela Simmons, Dawn Richard, Kat Graham, Nicole Parker, and many others who had worn an African print outfit designed by either Deola Sagoe, Jewel By Lisa, or any other designer of African heritage or those making African inspired designs like Stella Jean.
To celebrate the great fashion events that have contributed to the growth of African fashion and its global acceptance, here are the top 10 African fashion shows in Europe.
SEE ALSO:Â VIDEO: Didi Creations On The Runway At Africa Fashion Week London 2016.
1. Africa Fashion Week London
Unarguably the biggest African and African inspired fashion show event in Europe, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) was founded by Nigerian entrepreneur, Ronke Ademiluyi. After successfully organising the London-based event since 2011, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria – its first African edition, was launched in 2014. The 5th edition of Africa Fashion Week London is scheduled to take place at Olympia in London on August 7th and 8th. Tickets to attend #AFWL2015 are now on sale.
2. Adama Paris Black Fashion Week
Organised by Adama Paris Fashion Events and created by Senegalese fashion designer, this events is based in the world’s fashion capital. Started in 2002, it is one of the oldest fashion show to have provided a platform for African and African inspired designs since. Its organisers are also responsible for Dakar Fashion Week and the Afrika Fashion Awards. Other fashion events organised by this brand are the Black Fashion Week in Prague, Paris, Montreal and Bahia. Adama Paris Black Fashion Week intends to extended the event to popular cities such as Madrid, New York, London, Milan and others worldwide.
SEE SEE:Â VIDEO: Victoria Grace At Africa Fashion Week London.
3. Africa Fashion Day Berlin
Berlin may not be in the same league with top fashion capitals such as Paris, London, New York, and Milan. But with a population of about 3.5 million, this cosmopolitan German city hosts one of the most popular African fashion show events in Europe. Founded by Beatrice Angut Oola, the first edition of Africa Fashion Day Berlin took place on January 15th, 2013 at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in the context of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. Oola is of Uganda heritage and was born Born in Neuss (near Düsseldorf), Germany.
4. Africa Fashion Show Geneva
Established to showcase the best of African fashion and culture, Africa Fashion Show Geneva is an annual event organised by Crucible Events. Its 2015 edition took place on June 12th and 13th in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). It is the event’s 3rd edition and was dedicated to the protection of indigenous creativity of Africa’s fashion goods and products to enhance competitiveness and commercialisation. The first edition of the event took place in 2013 and till date, three editions have been organised.
ALSO SEE: 50 Fabulous Ankara Styles For Teenagers.
5. Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam
With a successful maiden edition that took place in 2015, Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam is the biggest fashion event for African and African inspired fashion designs in the Netherlands. The event was created by Diana Tambe, a fashion designer originally from Cameroon and based in the Netherlands. She started her fashion career as a model and is now the creative designer of Black Pearl Secret. Its first edition was hosted by Nollywood actor, Ramsey Noah.
6. Africa Fashion Week Milan
When it comes to international fashion, Milan is one of the world’s capital. And Africa fashion has not disappointed in making its presence in this Italian city. Africa Fashion Week Milan was founded by Adiree, the same brand that is responsible for the organisation of Africa Fashion Week in New York.
7. Africa Fashion Week Barcelona
Africa Fashion Week Barcelona (AFWB) is organised by SOS Africa, with Cultural Center (CIIC) to showcase the quality and future potential of African fashion. Based in Barcelona, SOS Africa has been involved in educating people and introducing them to African culture for more than twenty years. The first edition of AFWB was organised in 2013. Two years after the launch of AFWL. In 2014, a second edition was organised on June 19 – 22.
ALSO SEE: Ankara Love: Mother And Daughter Style Inspiration.
8. Black Fashion Week Prague
Although this event is currently not organise every year, the Black Fashion Week Prague organised by Adama Paris Fashion Events has played in role in showcasing African fashion and culture in Europe. The maiden and only edition of this event was organised in November 2011 and lasted for a period of two days. Prague is known as a city of lights and the colourful African fabric and its designers brought light to the African community in the city with some of the World’s best models and designers who have been Under-exposed.
What do you think of this compilation with the top African fashion shows in Europe? Did you think we have been able to capture all of them in this post? If we have not, and you are aware of some of them that we have missed, do let us know by dropping it in the comment section below.
Follow Afrocosmopolitan on Instagram and like the AfroCosmopolitan Facebook page.
