₦airaland Forum

The most highly anticipated designer, UK-based Nigerian couturier Adebayo Jones, showcased his creations at the gala show.

Preparing to celebrate his 25 years in fashion and keen to give the AFWL audience a dazzling presequel, Adebayo had on offer brand new pieces reminiscent of liquid gold – all sequined, sparkly, and AJ-trademark glittery.

The designer’s motto “All that glitters is AJ” found perfect embodiment on the runway as piece after piece, models shimmied and shimmered their way down the catwalk. Except a few equally delectable designs in rich red, silver and black, it was clear with this collection closing the show in grand style at Africa Fashion Week London, Mr. Jones was going for gold.

Keto Couture

Day 1 of Africa Fashion Week London saw Keto Couture showcase their collection of laid-back traditional menswear and sophisticated and grand womenwear. While mostly monochrome and embellished with embroidery and print detail, menswear look pristine and effortlessly understated, it was the womenswear in opulent colours and dramatic cuts and layers in balanced mix of Western and African fabrics and embellished with sequins, tulle, gold embroidery and rosebud detail.

African Fashion Week London entered its second year on 3-4 of August and was the idea of Nigerian entrepreneur – Ronke Ademiluyi. ‘My aim is to create more visibility for African designers and to create a one-stop shop for the public. We were expecting 500 people last year and almost 5000 turned up. It was something people had clearly been waiting for.’

This year, AFWL showcased 60 designers including Nigeria’s Adebayo Jones, known for his lavish evening and bridal wear. ‘As I was inspired by Yves Saint Laurent, I hope my participation will inspire young designers, he says. The best African designers balance global seasonal trends with an intelligent reimagining of indigenous fabrics and adornments.

Nigerian designer – Amaka Osakwe’s label, Maki Oh turns indigenous textiles into sensual pieces that evolve traditional dress practises. She launched in 2010 and her latest collection focuses on body-conscious silhouettes made from adire. ‘I want to make Nigerians aware of their own fabrics, which are infused with meanings that have been passed down through generations.’

Jeffrey Kimathi uses fibres of the baobab tree for his Jamhuri Wear luggage range. Ghana’s Aisha Obuobi launched Christie Brown in 2008 and has become Accra’s womenswear with detailing such as covered buttons, feathers and fringing. ‘My work is about the beauty of simplicity.

Celebrities like Kelis was spotted in a piece from Lisa Folawiyo’s label – Jewel by Lisa. Solange Knowles is a fan of Maki Oh and Michelle Obama is regularly seen wearing pieces by London-based Nigerian designer Duro Olowu.

The African fashion industry still faces challenges. There’s a lack of formal fashion education, which means there are problems from pattern-cutting and styling to marketing and PR. There’s no continent-wide body to promote funding and poor infrastructure slows production and raises costs. Olowu is optimistic. ‘The customer must have desire for the products on their own merit and only then will they ask: “Oh, where was this made?”’ he says. ‘There are a lot of talented African designers showing potential and that’s why the fashion world is looking very hard at Africa right now.’


List of Designers at AFWL 2012
ADEBAYO JONES
ANITA QUANSAH
ASKMOOFA
JAMES BRENDAN
TT DALK
LILLY FASHION
HOUSE OF ADJEIWAAH
MIA BY MIA NISBET
TRISH.O COUTURE
SEVERINE
TY-TYS
YUTEES
RACHEL KIRYA….THE COLLECTION
AFRO FANATIC
MONIS
THREADZS CREATION
OZORA
L’EMIRAL COUTURE
KEVE
VADIRA 7
BEBE GRAFITI
KEMUNTO
HOUSE OF JOLA
SET FASHION FREE
ÜBER AFRICA COLLECTIVE
HOUSE OF MARIE
ICONOLA
GLUE CLOTHING
TAYE TAYLOR
ELFRIDA
KETERE
TEE THREADS
KIKI CLOTHING
APRIL 2ND
ELDIMAA FASHION
SALLY INTIEGO
VIGOLD
ELLA & GABBY
DAVIVA
ASANDIA HOGAN
WANGU JEANS
KETO COUTURE
GREEN MAMBA
AFRO FASHION
MMD DESIGNS
ROUGE VALLARI
PATIENCE PLEASE
REMI LAGOS
HOUSE OF BUNOR
BERRY’S COUTURE
GEORGE ADESEGUN
BRIGITTE MERKI
HOUSE OF TAYO
HOUSE OF FARRAH
BULLDOFF
JOANSU JEWELLERY
HOUSE OF NWOCHA
JIMIKING
LYZE

Source: Metro, Africa Fashion Week London website
Photos: Catwalk Capture

There is a lot of information and photos so I have had to condense it as much as possible without loosing important information.

After you've spent a certain amount of time here, you will learn to discern for yourself those that are here to spread their virus and those who to take seriously. You have discovered one of them today
Comments like what you referred to are unavoidable when dealing with almost a million personalities, not to mention the fact that many handles here are nothing but alter egos of the person. This is a faceless forum so you do well not to allow others comments affect you so strongly, otherwise you can't be a participant here but an observer.

Next time use the complaints thread for such things and the mods will take action. They can't be everywhere at once!

Ndo

Idowuogbo: loose or not loose,d whole shorts idea na FAIL!
her kini go don dey release smoke due to congestion.

No be small thing
If she must to wear shorts then wear it right, camel toes are just disgusting!

LesbianBoy: This ijebabe of a babe....eh, she too like anything that has to do with naija enter10ment. Always posting their stuff here everytime!!! if its not ''pictures of omotola buyday parry'', its pictures of mercy johnson new look'' or ''dbanj is dating genevieve'' etc........i doubt if she knows beyonce, rihanna and all those foreign act!!!

Lol! See this craseman o!
The world media is full of those news so why wud I come to a Nigerian forum and talk about them again? Abeg, I choose my gossip well and leave the rest for others
I, and I'm sure others as well, get their Naija celeb gists here first so no hating

CHESSBOARD: https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/783772_IMG_2868_jpgd23eb09b2751047f21510f08fa350215

BTW Is this one of the widows cos she is wearing black??, probably dress to finds another widower/husband

Olodo! Widow at the after party, shey?
Widows event was held in daytime, after party was at night. In case you don't know how these things work

slimyem: see wetin this one wey never follow woman talk before dey claim...
Shiooor!

Thank you jare!

ROFL! See as una dey yab me
Kokolet I no knw wetin carry am go pick that shorts. At least let it be a lil loose so na the yansh the guys go dey trip for
B, sometimes I don't know why I do this

[quote author=Mynd_44]I am always around. I just decided not to comment, just read and leave[/quote]Why the explanation

ArQueBusieR: lol...Nigeria does not need any further embarrassments, dude. I'm a powerful sprinter, though. From my footballing days.

Show off! Who asked you

With 2 hands supporting ur beer belle

Xionez: Ruined his last relationship because he shouted "Ijebabe" upon climax.

LMAO!!!

@J12
Real name is Romanus

dont8: Alimony my foot!
Do I look like Tiger Wood to you.
You want to eat your cake and still have it.
Take me to court once again.

I already won the courtcase
Unless you want to go to jail and I'll still get the alimony. This is not Naija

afam4eva: If Jonathan never enter news for one day, una no go rest.

It's not easy to be the president, but he didn't realise that sooner

Talks to herself in a British accent

Lol, from her womb