The third edition of the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has been fixed to hold between August 1 and 4, 2013 at the Old Truman Brewery, in Shoreditch, London.

This year’s event is set to see outfits by 100 designers on the runway and over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s massive indoor space, once again making AFWL the biggest fashion event across Europe showcasing African and African-inspired fashion.

Princess Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman, and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist, are among the patrons for the events.

While commenting on the event, Mrs. Ejindu said, “I believe Africa Fashion Week London is a great platform for African talent and a great opportunity for Africa to showcase the talent that we possess. The era of the hungry African child is long over and it is now time for our culture to be recognised globally.”

The fashion event, which will showcase exclusive African Arts and Fashion is sponsored by leading pan-African women’s bi-monthly New African Woman, L’Oréal’s premium professional haircare range for Afro Caribbean and mixed-race hair textures, Mizani, and Africa’s fastest growing telecommunications company, Globacom Limited.

The exclusive first fundraiser event for the African Arts and Fashion Initiative aims to create start up funds for young designers to assist them in turning their creativity into sustainability.
Set to feature fashion shows, art exhibits, and an exclusive celebration of African arts and fashion, the event will also see awards given out to those who have contributed to the growth of youth and women empowerment in Africa.

“With this event, we intend to raise start-up funds for emerging talent and tuition fees for extremely talented designers, hence in a way we are empowering the youth of Africa. While some have the opportunity and the funds to start their fashion labels, many others have no one to give them an opportunity or the funds they need. We have all the natural resources and all the talent in Africa but we should not leave it just to our leaders to help progress.

“If each of us were to sweep our own doorstep, the world would become a cleaner place. Therefore, this is our way to help emerging talent to a global platform and the funds they need,” Ejindu added
African dignitaries and VIPs expected at the event include the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke, who has endorsed the event. Scheduled to give the keynote speeches are the First Lady of Cross River State, Mrs. Obioma Imoke and Ghanaian economist, scientist, political writer and former chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana, Professor Edward Ayensu.