By Yemisi Suleiman

With a career spanning over 15 years, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi is more than just a fashion entrepreneur; she is a cultural visionary. As the founder of Africa Fashion Week London, AFWL, and Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, she has consistently championed African creativity on global stages.

In this exclusive interview with Allure, she opens up about the groundbreaking collaboration between AFWL and Disney’s The Lion King, the recently concluded executive fashion masterclass at the London School of Economics, LSE, and the plans to place African fashion at the heart of global conversation. She also shares her personal philosophies, habits, and style inspirations.

What inspired Africa Fashion Week London, AFWL, to collaborate with Disney’s The Lion King?

There are moments that feel like destiny, this was one of them. The Lion King is more than just a film; it’s a global rite of passage. It speaks to identity, heritage, and belonging. At AFWL, we saw a rare opportunity to align our values and stories with one of the most iconic tales ever told, using fashion as a universal language of culture and creativity.

What makes this collaboration so significant for African fashion?
This is more than a creative partnership, it’s a cultural awakening. While The Lion King introduced many people around the world to Africa, AFWL provides a deeper, more authentic lens, one rooted in centuries of craftsmanship, storytelling, and artistic expression. It’s about legacy, pride, and leading the narrative from within.

What can audiences expect from The Lion King performance at AFWL 2025?
It will be more than a performance, it will be a message. The Lion King represents values we hold dear: community, resilience, and identity. These are the same values at the heart of African fashion. When the curtains rise in August, audiences will witness a powerful blend of storytelling and style, a fashion spectacle with soul.

AFWL has always been about challenging stereotypes; how does this partnership continue that mission?

African creativity has long been borrowed from, often without credit or context. With this partnership, we’re rewriting the script. We’re showcasing designers who innovate through sustainability and technology, and who uphold cultural integrity. African fashion is not a trend, it’s a force, a movement, and a living archive of heritage and innovation.

How is AFWL supporting designers beyond the runway?
AFWL is more than a showcase; it’s a support system. We provide mentorship, professional development, and create opportunities for growth and collaboration. We’ve seen many of our alumni go on to win international awards, get stocked in luxury stores, and become cultural ambassadors. That impact drives us to do more.

Also, as part of our continuous efforts to support African brands and designers generally, we recently concluded the Economics of Fashion Executive Masterclass at the London School of Economics.
It was a very transformative event. It marked a shift in how we view African fashion, not just as cultural expression, but as an economic force. The programme gave us a strong academic framework to support the creative industry and showed that fashion can drive innovation, employment, and global GDP growth.

What skills did participants take away from the masterclass?

We had participants from across Africa, including Nigerian designers, who learned how to pair creativity with commerce and vision with sustainability. They now understand how to build strategies around design, think about scalability, and make meaningful economic impact. That knowledge will help them shape not just collections, but entire industries.

How does this academic partnership strengthen AFWL’s mission?
Our work with institutions like LSE helps validate our efforts. It provides the research and structure that support our vision of African fashion as a powerful, self-sustaining sector. It also builds a community of thinkers and entrepreneurs committed to reimagining the future of fashion.

You also have collaboration with Manchester Metropolitan University on Adire textiles; what does that project represent?

That collaboration is deeply meaningful. Adire is part of our heritage, it’s sustainable, historical, and artistic. This partnership elevates it to global academic and commercial conversations, giving it the platform and value it has always deserved.

What are your expectations for AFWL 2025?
We’re expecting AFWL 2025, to be a landmark event. With the inclusion of The Lion King and our continued partnerships, we’re taking the celebration beyond fashion, it’s about culture, innovation, and economic empowerment.

What does the future look like for African fashion in the global market?
It’s incredibly bright. UNESCO has already identified Africa as a future leader in global fashion. As we continue to build strategic alliances, I believe African fashion will be recognised not only for its beauty, but for its intellectual, cultural, and economic contributions.

As a successful entrepreneur, how do you manage work-life balance?
It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ve learned to prioritise self-care. I carve out time for family and creative activities outside of fashion. Those moments recharge me and keep me grounded.

Do you have any personal habits or routines that you credit for your success?
Yes, setting clear goals and reviewing them regularly keeps me focused. I also practise mindfulness and gratitude. It helps me stay centered, even when things get overwhelming.

How has your cultural background influenced your personal style and work in fashion?

Immensely. My culture is a constant source of inspiration, from fabrics to storytelling. It influences my wardrobe, my aesthetic choices, and even how I run my business. Culture is not just part of the brand, it is the brand!

Who are your style icons or creative inspirations?
I’m inspired by traditional artisans who preserve age-old techniques. At the same time, I admire contemporary designers who fuse heritage with modernity, those who use fashion to tell bold, truthful stories.

What advice would you give aspiring African designers hoping to make global impact?
Lead boldly. Stay rooted in your identity and don’t be afraid to challenge systems. Learn the business side of fashion. Knowledge is your power, and your platform. Most importantly, lift others as you rise.

Reflecting on your journey, what is the one lesson you wish you knew when started out?
Resilience is everything. There will be obstacles, even heartbreaks, but each setback can be a stepping stone. I once had to sell my flat to fund this dream. But today, that sacrifice feels worth it. Always trust your vision.

When people watch The Lion King at AFWL 2025, what do you hope they take away from the experience”?

I want them to feel the roar of Africa, not as a borrowed sound, but as an authentic call. I want them to see a continent not asking to be noticed but demanding to be respected. AFWL 2025 is not just a show; it’s a declaration. A cultural awakening, an invitation to walk with us into the future, where African fashion doesn’t follow, but leads.