The best of African fashion professionals spearhead Africa Fashion Week London
The best of African fashion professionals spearhead Africa Fashion Week London
Introducing the Africa Fashion Week London team are, of course, Founder and CEO Ronke Ademiluyi.
Founded in 2011, Ronke has fought tirelessly for the inclusion of
burgeoning design talent from the Continent and for them to have
affordable access to an international showcasing platform.
"It
hasn't been easy, but at least now we are internationally known as a
place where young, old, up and coming and established designers from
Africa can come and show in London to a very appreciative audience.
We sell out every year. This tells us there is a huge market for
African and African-inspired design and a fascination for what is new
from the Continent"
|
|
|
|
|
Head Stylist, Samson Soboye, is also a stalwart on the African design scene in London.
A very much in demand menswear designer and
stylist, Samson has had 20 years’ experience in the creative industries
and is the British Nigerian creative behind the successful SOBOYE brand that has been in existence for an impressive 15 years.
Samson
graduated from Central St. Martin’s 1994 where he rapidly established
himself as fashion stylist working initially with Lucinda Chambers at
British Vogue, then worked as a Freelance Stylist for publications such
as The Guardian, The Times, ES magazine.
"Seeing
the designs that are coming out of Africa is always inspiring. In the
past 20 years, I've seen a steady increase in the quality and
craftsmanship - and to be honest - the utter creativity these young
Africans bring. Africa Fashion Week London is the only show of at least
40 individual designers that we can see that without travelling out of
London! I'm really looking forward to August to see what new
trends Africans are bringing to the catwalk."
|
|
|
|
|
Head Curator, Caroline Chi-Chi Chinakwe
is a stylist, graphic artist, creative Consultant and Designer for her
own bespoke label Chinakwe. A 1994 graduate of London College of
Fashion, Caroline first got her foot in the industry working as a
garment technologist with high end brand Nicole Farhi, where she
developed her love for garment construction and production and for over 7
years worked in garment manufacturing for high street labels including,
Top Shop, French Connection and Karen Millen.
Caroline
is currently working on her latest collection that combines fashion and
art celebrating her African and British influences whilst showcasing
her many talents and skills.
With
a passion for supporting African and African inspired designers, it is
her job to make sure the designers are showing their best on the
catwalk. She is also producing a specially curated catwalk show of the
best talented designers that are showcasing this year.
"This
year, I have been mentoring the designers through the process of
applying for Africa Fashion Week London. Some designers have needed
guidance with the direction of their collections, and some designers are
just outstandingly talented. We are going to have a 'Best in Show'
catwalk where you'll be able to see what these novice designers are
capable of.
I
can't wait to meet them all and see who has taken my advice and brought
their collections up to an international showcasing standard. It is
going to be tough competition for these designers to get that
special catwalk place!"
|
|
Meet our Official Casting Director, Hassan ReeSe, CEO of DAM Model Management.
Hassan has been a veteran of the AFWL catwalks and now has started his
own male model agency. Hassan knows what it takes to be an Africa
Fashion Week London model.
"I
can't think of another catwalk show of this size and importance that
specifically wants Black and Ethnic minority model to be the stars of
the show. Africa Fashion Week London has been close to my heart since
2012, and now I'm in a position to manage the stable of over 40 models
from the backstage; mentor them and make sure they look their best, feel
their best and walk their best. Black and African models don't get a
better chance to be in front of the international media than this show.
We are also on the look out for rising stars. The Africa-based models
who are coming in to walk for the show are another level altogether -
watch out for them!"
|
|
|
|
For the 4th year running, there is no-one we trust more than AFWL's Head MUA, Abbie May Hopkins.
Abbie May makes sure our models of colour are catwalk ready. Where
some other MUAs fall short in matching skintone, Abbie May understands
this perfectly and always comes very well prepared.
"I
can't wait to work on the girls this year. I haven't seen the chosen
models yet, but I've heard we have a lot of very dark skin This is
going to look amazing against the Freemasons' Hall backdrop. I'm
thinking about gold, bronze and copper to use on the girls - and maybe a
lot of colour. Look out for my moodboard that I'm going to publish!"
|
|
|
Again
for the 4th year, we have Allan Henry, Head of Hair Design at AFWL2017.
Allan is a master with hair and has worked all over the world for
catwalk shows, film and editorial shoots. Former Creative Director at
TONI & GUY, Allan is very much in demand as a innovative stylist and
one who works with all hair types.
"This year we are going NATURAL darling, watch and see!"
...and he walked off, as busy as ever.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment