Horizon: Ethical Fashion Initiative for African brands at Paris Fashion Week
Ethical Fashion Initiative is proud to present the nine designers who will be presenting during Paris Autumn-Winter 2022 Fashion Week.
Ethical Fashion Initiative will be holding the first Ethical Fashion Initiative for African Brands presentation in Paris on March 2nd, 2022, on the official fashion week Events calendar. Nine designers will showcase their collections, with ready-to-wear, jewellery, and accessory labels presenting genderless, womenswear and menswear collections.
All together, the nine designers contribute in positioning and redefining the notion of today’s and tomorrow’s Made-in-Africa in the industry, expressing the richness of the craft and creativity of the continent’s talents.
While designers Lukhanyo Mdingi, Margaux Wong and Jiamini are alumni, having exited the Accelerator Programme in December 2021, other brands Laurenceairline, Kente Gentlemen, Ohiri, Hamaji, Suave and Katush are currently in the middle of their second year with EFI, presenting their first collections as part as the Accelerator’s second pool of designers.
The “Horizon” presentation will be part of the initiative’s Designer Accelerator Programme and its aim to accelerate the business of designers and craftspeople of tomorrow, with a specific focus on Africa’s fashion talents. All nine brands are based in Africa and championing ‘Made in Africa’ production, with many working with EFI’s network of artisans across the continent. By giving customised support and advice on all fronts, including sustainability, communication, finance, production ,and distribution, EFI helps the brands to establish and develop themselves in the global marketplace.
ABOUT ETHICAL FASHION INITIATIVE
EFI is an initiative founded by Simone Cipriani under the patronage of the International Trade Centre, a joint agency of United Nations and World Trade Organization. EFI has been helping to bring African fashion design to the world stage since 2013, mentoring a number of African fashion brands and artisan producers. One of its programmes, the EFI Designer Accelerator, aims to respond to the specific needs of African fashion brands who require additional support to accelerate their businesses in the global marketplace. The programme has a business development approach that prepares its beneficiaries to become investment-ready.
The EU supports the EFI Accelerator as part of “Investing in Culture and Creativity”, launched in 2017. More than any other product, culture reflects a peoples’ uniqueness, value, and heritage. Strengthening culture sectors builds social capital and reinforces identities, as well as generating trade and business opportunities. EFI Culture showcases creativity and talent in sectors like art, photography, cinema, and music, working with the private sector to strengthen culture sectors and increase cultural exports.
THE DESIGNERS
Katush @katushnairobi Ready-to-wear, Kenya
Kente Gentlemen @kentegentlemen Ready-to-wear, Côte d’Ivoire
Hamaji @hamaji_studio Ready-to-wear, Kenya
Jiamini @jiaminikenya Jewelry, Kenya
Laurenceairline @laurenceairlineofficial Ready-to-wear, Côte d’Ivoire
Lukhanyo Mdingi @lukhanyomdingi Ready-to-wear, South Africa
Margaux Wong @margauxwongart Jewelry, Burundi
Ohiri @ohiristudio Jewelry, Côte d’Ivoire
Suave @suave_ke Bags, Kenya
