By Yemisi Suleiman

Africa fashion week London, AFWL, the largest annual African fashion event in Europe, returned for its 10th edition this year, with a continuous drive to spotlight and elevate designers of African heritage and Africa- inspired creatives. 

Held penultimate Saturday at the Freeman’s Hall Convent Garden London, this year’s event was hybrid featuring live and virtual activities, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

It featured exhibitions, shopping halls, panel discussions with high-level speakers, workshops on accessory design and London’s designer Mary Martin as headline designer for  the VIP catwalk finale. 

Famous for her outrageously glamorous designs, Mary Martin, again,wowed with outstanding queenly dresses and headgears from the Cleopatra era.  The collection which combined African wax plykea and African lace with the 18th century vibe, Mary says is inspired by ‘Black Excellence’ and the slave era. “It also symbolises a reverse history whereby our strength, dignity and gold is reclaimed by us.”  she informs. 

Though the designer has headlined the show about two times before now, she is, however, honoured as headline designer this year. “I wanted to show what I have been feeling inside, having been locked in the house. So, among other things, the collection is what I came up with.” she said. 

Here is the collection in pictures.