By Yemisi Suleiman

As the 7th edition of the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) sets to hold August 11-12, AFWL Designers (past and present) gave a fun preview of what to expect at this year’s event, as they collaborated with Africa Utopia and showcased nine capsule collections on a specially made catwalk, on Southbank’s outside terrace for Africa Utopia, an annual festival celebrating the arts and culture of Africa in London.

Despite the rainy cloud, these designers pulled off a show that was full of fun, colour and drama synchronized with music and art, whilst bringing the creativity of Africa to life.

For Odette Steele her Slow-Case collection highlighted the passing culture of the Western world and how many of these unwanted fashions end up in Africa Markets. Odette showed of her textile training to up-cycle and redecorate the plain western textiles into something desirable and luxurious.

A past AFWL designer, Bola Obileye of Tote Collections showed her love of vintage 1950s glamour with petticoat rockabilly dresses in African print, mixed with Roy Lichtenstein pop art inspired pencil skirts and clutch bags, a totally inspiring collection.

For New-comer and freshly graduated Abisola Akanni, her collection of menswear was full of fun, colour, drama. Abisola is so unassuming, it makes us marvel at her imagination and we can’t wait to see what she shows on the AFWL catwalk and in the future.

AFWL Head Stylist, Samson Soboye couldn’t help but bring two collections to the catwalk. The Womenswear collection was full of slinky glamour and shine; and the menswear collection showing tailored dinner jackets paired with Japanese Obi belts and Africanized kimonos.

Two Nigerian menswear designers, Kola Kuddus and Del Africa took the stage, showing a modern twist on traditional Nigerian menswear. Their Ombré print and out of the ordinary embroidery took wax print to the next level.

London based designer, Yemzi wowed with a completely print free collection, dark and moody, but beautifully tailored bang up to date playsuits, shorts, jackets that made models bounce on the runway. She promises a new collection for Africa Fashion Week in August.

Closing the designers’ lineup was AFWL veteran Nigerian and London based designer, Tina Ugo of Didi Creations, who upped her game with an exquisite line of beautiful sexy caftans, in net, bold print, and lace. All paired with beautiful matching head wraps and slink.

See the collection in pictures: