African fashion coming to New Zealand
Internationally known African designers are set to wow New Zealand audiences.
The South African and Egyptian High Commissioners, and the Wellington Mayor will help pre-launch the first African Fashion Festival in New Zealand tonight.
Ms Zodwa Lallie, Mr Mahmoud Mohamed Gamal ElDin Zayed, and Celia Wade-Brown attend a City Gallery function tonight.
Six international African designers: Nelly Aboagye of Duaba Serwaa; Taibo Bacar, Sophie Zinga, Laduma Ngxokolo of MaXhosa; Adebayo Oke-Lawal of Orange Culture; and Gloria Wavamunno will exhibit.
These designers regularly participate in globally recognized industry events, such as South Africa Fashion Week, Arise Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.
They all have been featured in leading international fashion publications, such Vogue Italia, Marie Claire, and Elle and will give New Zealanders a glimpse of creativity from across Africa.
Africa Fashion Festival is organised by ADJOAA (Africa Design Journey through Australasia), a social enterprise initiative founded by Pinaman Owusu-Banahene in December 2011 to promote established and high-end emerging African designers and artists in the Australasian region.
“I believe fashion, music and dance are great art forms that enrich our experiences and challenge our deep-seated assumptions. I hope the Africa Fashion Festival provides an outlet for all New Zealanders to experience the cultural richness and incredible artistic talent from the diverse and vibrant continent of Africa,” Owusu-Banahene said.
Four local emerging talents, Kylie Mangan, Adrienne Whitewood and Kharl Wirepa, will also participate in the Festival in collaboration with Miromoda, the Indigenous Māori Fashion Apparel Board.
Africa Fashion Festival claims to set itself apart from similar events due to its development focus.
Owusu-Banahene says a key point of difference of the festival is the associated ethical initiative.
“Think fashion for development,” she says.
The Festival aims to advance three key social initiatives for young Africans in New Zealand, and across parts of Africa, in collaboration with the designers: a mentoring programme; a three-month internship programme; and a book club initiative.
- The Festival has been scheduled for May 7-10, 2015 in Auckland, and May14—17 , 2015 in Wellington. Tickets will be available online through Africa Fashion Festival. Early bird tickets will be released mid-September 2014.
