By Yemisi Suleiman

As the annual Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) sets to hold its 6th edition from September 9-10, organiser of the show, Ronke Ademiluyi is bringing another dimension of awareness to the globalization of African fashion with the debut of the London Conference on Globalizing African Fashion. The conference, in collaboration with Nigeria’s Sun Newspapers, is designed to attract foreign investments to the continent’s fashion industry. It will hold alongside the familiar catwalk shows and exhibition at the Olympia West London, where over thirty designers across Africa will be showcasing.
Here are the profiles of some participating designers.

Here are the profiles of some participating designers.

1. Sly Monay

A fashion forward, innovative brand that designs and produces male and female bespoke and ready-to-wear collections, Sly Monay came into existence in 2012 as a way of projecting the African culture, way of life, style, innovation and taking fashion to the next level. Sly Monay is set to release the Sly Monay 2016 collection “The Cravat Masterpiece: Afro-European collection”.

2. Tiza Designs

Tiza was created by Tiza Chandwe in 2013 while studying Fashion Design at Capetown College of Fashion Design. Tiza Designs aims at providing women with elegant and sophisticated clothing with an African twist.

3. Caesar Couture

Ceaser is known for its exquisite tailoring services and refined design silhouettes of tuxedos, patterned suits, single breasted and double-breasted suits as well as traditional clothing. It was established in the year 2000 by owner and designer, Esosa Ogedegbe.

4. Nnooll

The mantra of Nnooll is arresting:“Your style Is our Command.

You are unique, so why bother trying to dress like everybody else?
You are playful, yet sophisticated and always ahead of the game.
You are a style rebel and this collection is our celebration to you.”
Each garment is ethically handmade in The Gambia.

5. Onomen

Onomen are a new street wear, fashion and lifestyle brand established in 2014 by Aiwan Obinyan. After a successful launch, she took a short hiatus and, this year, with renewed energy as well as some bolder designs, they are re-launching with their second collection. They have extended their ranges into Winter wear with the addition of unisex reversible hoodies and a women’s line of T-shirts alongside men’s.

6. Agatha Moreno

Agatha  is a ready-to-wear fashion brand that is established to take care of everyone’s fashion need – from average to elite, slim, big, curvy, short or tall, dark skinned or light; with funky and high-end casuals, blends of haute couture, red carpet wears, bridals, etc. Agatha Moreno debuted at ECOWAS Fashion Week and has since featured in A-class fashion events.

7. Victoria Grace

Victoria Grace is an elegant fashion brand.  The brand aims to dress women who love elegance, timeless style and luxury, blending either the East or the West with Africa. All Victoria Grace pieces speak of elegance. The label closes the taste gap between cultures by creating a unique style; it is the ultimate taste of European-African joie de vivre.

8. Laura Jane Fashions

Laura Jane creates multi-functional garments that empower the wearer; by asking this simple question: ‘What if one garment could form an entire wardrobe?’ Laura Jane created a transformable collection that shaped the brand and answered that question.

The brand proudly uses unique combinations of print and texture to produce outstanding and incredible shapes in each garment.  influences, combining culture and celebrating both styles. Laura Jane Fashions is representing the Caribbean and Zimbabwe.

9. Mary Martin

Award-winning fashion designer, Mary Martin, began a career in the music industry and enjoyed years of success as a vocalist and an artiste manager but her passion for fashion continued to grow. Today, Mary Martin’s collections are gaining recognition as a go-to for looks on the red carpet and has featured on shows such as Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model Catwalk Show, SKY’S Fashion TV and has received international accolades, including being honoured as the “Best Designer”, out of forty four designers, at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Festival 2015 in Accra, Ghana.

10.  Neopele

Neopele Concept is a state-of-the-arts centre for top male and female clothing designs. They produce a sublime range of suits, corporate male and female wears as well as African attires. The brand provides bespoke tailored wears for their wide range of customers. They design outfits for persons from all walks of life.

11.  Signature Secret

Mrs. Oreva Okowa is the founder/CEO of Signature Secret. She is also the Founder/National President (FADEA) Fashion Designers and Exhibitors Association/The Convener – The Delta Fashion Designer (DFD).

Signature Secret was established in 2007 with the full support of the Federal Government’s corporate organisations’ registration body, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and endorsed by the Fashion Designer Association of Nigeria (FADAN). The brand has won several awards across Nigeria and represented Nigeria at various global market exhibitions.

Alexander II Akande

Born in Cameroon, Alexander Akande grew up across the world – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, Kenya, France, Italy and the U.K. This wealth of cultural experience is vividly expressed in his work.

The focus of the brand is on creating quality garments that challenge the perception of African design, drawing on the designer’s global cultural experiences and rich cultural heritage.

Jaua

Jaua is in honour of members of Ajaua tribe of northern Mozambique, where the designer’s paternal grandmother was born.
Jaua brand of exclusive clothing is made for you to value the strengths of your body and balancing your silhouette. Each woman has a unique body and shape. They create each piece, thinking about the members of the urban tribe they belong to.