Africa Fashion International in 2024: Events, Highlights & Milestones

Africa Fashion International maintained its position as a leading force in the African fashion industry throughout 2024, delivering impactful initiatives, events, and collaborations.

Below is a recap of the year’s notable activities:

AFI hosted the AFU Fundraising Fashion Show in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the finals of the CAF AFCON 2023 tournament. This event brought together designers and stakeholders to support philanthropic efforts within the fashion community.

The event was hosted by AFI in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie. The 2023 AFU Fundraising Fashion Show featured 28 designer brands from the 24 countries that participated in the AFCON. Some of the designers showcased included Urban Zulu, Malondié, Pathé’O, Marie Louis Bishara, Loza Maleombho, LaurenceAirline, Lafalaise Dion, Kente Gentlemen, and Atafo.

The AFU Fundraising Fashion Show raised funds for the Centre Artisanal ABE APO Élisabeth, a Montézo-based organization that promotes weaving as a skills-exchange and practical skills-development. The event also highlighted the potential of African fashion and the role fashion can play in empowering communities.

AFI launched two key collections at the Motsepe Foundation’s GEWAL 2024 Summit:

• The House of Nala Autumn/Winter 2024 Collection.
• The AFI Privé Denim Collection, expanding its offerings with a contemporary take on a wardrobe staple.

• AFI presented the AFI Fashion Experience in Mbombela, showcasing designers to a new audience and highlighting the intersection of culture and fashion.
• AFI also curated the AFI Black Carpet at the Metro FM Music Awards 2024, adding a fashion-forward element to the celebrated music event.
• AFI sponsored the Best Styled Artist award at the Metro FM Music Awards, which was won by Oscar Mbo. 

• AFI crowned the AFI Fastrack Prize Winner, Loice Dube, continuing our tradition of supporting emerging talent within the industry. We also awarded prizes for Craftsmanship and Innovation. 
• AFI announced its fashion partnership with Miss South Africa 2024, positioning African fashion prominently in this prestigious platform.

AFI hosted the AFI Red Carpet at Miss South Africa, reinforcing commitment to luxury fashion on high-profile stages. Hosted by Jo-Ann Strauss and Dr Fezile Mkhize, it was brilliantly executed element of the Miss South Africa 2024 finals.

The AFI Atelier was tasked with creating garments for Miss South Africa 2024, Mia Le Roux at Miss Universe 2024. This included her farewell look, her interview look and what was going to be her National Costume, which was designed in collaboration with Dr Esther Mahlangu, who provided her signature artwork for the design studio to create the gown for the national costume.

AFI also hosted the much anticipated Cape Town Fashion Week: The Edit SS24. This event introduced curated collections for Spring/Summer 2024/25, including the debut of the AFI Privé Signature Collection.

AFI closed the year with the House of Nala Premium Pop-Up Store, which opened on 1 December at the One&Only Cape Town, allowing AFI to continue to create a myriad of retail opportunities for African fashion designers under the House of Nala Collective of designers.

AFI Privé was invited by Gavin Rajah to showcase the AFI Privé Signature Collection at the Cape Town Resort Collections show. The collection bridges resort wear with ready-to-wear sophistication. The collection was revealed to House of Nala’s Joburg Customers in December.

These milestones reflect AFI’s dedication to elevating African fashion, supporting designers, and building sustainable growth within the industry. Each initiative reinforced our commitment to showcasing African creativity.