Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, the renowned founder of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria, has expressed her excitement about the inaugural Africa Fashion Week in Brazil.
Held at the Expo Center in São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy in Lagos, the event is expected to significantly enhance cultural and economic ties between Africa and Brazil.
Scheduled to take place from May 25th to 27th, 2023, this edition of Africa Fashion Week aims to foster a strong synergy within the fashion industry between Brazil and Africa.
“When we started over a decade ago, there wasn’t a platform that brought together African designers and the global audience. Most of the platforms were mainstream platforms and a lot of people then shy away from African fashion. So African fashion was considered then as more traditional. People were not proud to wear African fashion, especially in the diaspora.
Organizers have highlighted that the event will not only promote economic growth but also strengthen cultural connections, while serving as a platform for future collaborations.
During a press briefing at the Consulate General of Brazil in Lagos, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi provided a brief overview of Africa Fashion Week. She explained that the event originated in 2011 in London, with the primary goal of bridging the gap between African and black designers and the general public.
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The introduction of Africa Fashion Week Brazil is expected to create a vibrant exchange of fashion, culture, and ideas between the two regions.
By showcasing the diverse talents of African designers and fostering collaboration with Brazilian counterparts, the event aims to celebrate Africa’s rich fashion heritage while also providing a platform for emerging talent.
The collaboration between Africa and Brazil in the fashion industry holds great potential for mutual growth and development.
It offers an opportunity for designers from both regions to gain exposure to new markets and expand their reach globally. Additionally, the event is expected to facilitate cultural exchange, deepening understanding and appreciation of each other’s traditions and artistic expressions.
Overall, Africa Fashion Week Brazil is poised to make a significant impact on the fashion landscape, strengthening ties and fostering a sense of unity between Africa and Brazil while propelling the careers of talented designers from both regions.
Ministro André Veras Guimarães, the Consul General of Brazil said holding the Africa Fashion Week in Brazil is a great initiative that will be greatly harnessed for the good of both countries.
“We can go deeper after this Africa Fashion Week. We will offer scholarships. We can send people to study fashion in Brazil, and they will have immigrant status. They have a free scholarship, all they need to do is just apply, to be selected. Of course, there is a selection process but we can explore these educational paths. So I believe this partnership with Africa Fashion Week and Brazil with grow great fruits in the future”, he noted.
