Africa Fashion Week New York, produced by Adirée, took place July 14th-16th in the Broad Street Ballroom in New York City’s financial district. AFWNY hosted three days of runway shows featuring international designers from the African Diaspora.
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n the past year, African models, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs have been breaking into the main stream; from the success of the Broadway show, Fela, which received 11 Tony nominations including Best Musical to African models working with designers such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. Sudenese model Ajak Deng has made reoccurring appearances in Vogue and one of the world richest men, Nigerian native Aliko Dangote, has a net worth of 13.8 billion.
In three days, AFWNY gathered African models, designers, entrepreneurs, and professionals into one ballroom. Cameroonian artist Asta Tidjani had her artwork on display and available for purchase. Opening the show on Thursday was Korto Momolu. The last model to walk for Momolu was a bride, wedded live at AFWNY by wedding planner Gino Filippone. Following Momolu was designs by KikoRomeo, Gloria WavaMunno, Rouch, Blackbird Designs, Syl Anim, Bebegrafiti, Kachi Designs, and Jo Black Craze.
R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of group B2K, Omarion was seated front row opening day at AFWNY. Paul Wharton, first seen as the popular Model Coach from MTV's MADE television series, and recently seen as a stylist on the The Real Housewives of DC, was also present Thursday, July 14th at AFWNY.
Friday, the designer line up started with Bill Witherspoon and continued with AsakeOge Couture, Washington Roberts, Danielle Martin, Fikirte Addis, Mirembe Collections, Josefa Dasilva, Suakoko Betty, Endexus Creations, and Kozby World. Shoes by John Ashford and MO SAÏQUE escorted each individual design all three days. Coco and Breezy, identical twin accessory designers were present Friday, July 15th accompanied by fashion artist and image consultant Ugo Mozie who attended all three days.
Saturday’s show was launched by Nadir Tati, Editalo Designs, Tori Famuyiwa, Sarfo of Styles, Design By U, Funlayo Deri, Yashika, AAMAA a la Mode, Madam Wokie Couture, Adama Paris, and Saint Wobil. Isha Sesay, journalist and anchor for CNN International was in attendance and interviewed AFWNY’s Director, Adiat Disu. The AFWNY segment is to air on CNN International next week.
Vendors throughout the event were Design by U, Funlayo Deri, Indego Africa, Jessica Designs, Makari de Suisse, MO SAÏQUE, Pearl Xclusiv, Renarda Joy, Rouch, Suakoko Betty and Xenson.
Dj Zimo, co-founder of 745 Enterprise was the official DJ for AFWNY. Popdrum.com caught the entire experience from the casting calls to the last model on the runway on film.
Sponsors included BMW, AveYou, Origin Africa, The Naked Grape, and Makari de Suisse.
I
n the past year, African models, musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs have been breaking into the main stream; from the success of the Broadway show, Fela, which received 11 Tony nominations including Best Musical to African models working with designers such as Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. Sudenese model Ajak Deng has made reoccurring appearances in Vogue and one of the world richest men, Nigerian native Aliko Dangote, has a net worth of 13.8 billion.In three days, AFWNY gathered African models, designers, entrepreneurs, and professionals into one ballroom. Cameroonian artist Asta Tidjani had her artwork on display and available for purchase. Opening the show on Thursday was Korto Momolu. The last model to walk for Momolu was a bride, wedded live at AFWNY by wedding planner Gino Filippone. Following Momolu was designs by KikoRomeo, Gloria WavaMunno, Rouch, Blackbird Designs, Syl Anim, Bebegrafiti, Kachi Designs, and Jo Black Craze.
R&B singer, actor, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and former lead singer of group B2K, Omarion was seated front row opening day at AFWNY. Paul Wharton, first seen as the popular Model Coach from MTV's MADE television series, and recently seen as a stylist on the The Real Housewives of DC, was also present Thursday, July 14th at AFWNY.
Friday, the designer line up started with Bill Witherspoon and continued with AsakeOge Couture, Washington Roberts, Danielle Martin, Fikirte Addis, Mirembe Collections, Josefa Dasilva, Suakoko Betty, Endexus Creations, and Kozby World. Shoes by John Ashford and MO SAÏQUE escorted each individual design all three days. Coco and Breezy, identical twin accessory designers were present Friday, July 15th accompanied by fashion artist and image consultant Ugo Mozie who attended all three days.
Saturday’s show was launched by Nadir Tati, Editalo Designs, Tori Famuyiwa, Sarfo of Styles, Design By U, Funlayo Deri, Yashika, AAMAA a la Mode, Madam Wokie Couture, Adama Paris, and Saint Wobil. Isha Sesay, journalist and anchor for CNN International was in attendance and interviewed AFWNY’s Director, Adiat Disu. The AFWNY segment is to air on CNN International next week.
Vendors throughout the event were Design by U, Funlayo Deri, Indego Africa, Jessica Designs, Makari de Suisse, MO SAÏQUE, Pearl Xclusiv, Renarda Joy, Rouch, Suakoko Betty and Xenson.
Dj Zimo, co-founder of 745 Enterprise was the official DJ for AFWNY. Popdrum.com caught the entire experience from the casting calls to the last model on the runway on film.
Sponsors included BMW, AveYou, Origin Africa, The Naked Grape, and Makari de Suisse.
