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AFU 2025 & the Vision of Valerie K: A Continental Renaissance in Fashion

Date: June 26 2025
Venue: Alexander Bridge, Paris (France)

AFU (Africa Fashion Up), acatalyst for transforming Africa’s textile and apparel industry

AFU (Africa Fashion Up) is more than a showcase—it’s a strategic accelerator for African fashion talent.
Spearheaded by Valerie Ka, a visionary designer and entrepreneur, AFU has positioned itself as a catalyst for transforming Africa’s textile and apparel industry into a global force.

 The Concept by Valerie K

Valerie K’s approach with AFU is rooted in structured empowerment:

• Talent Incubation: AFU identifies and mentors emerging designers across Africa, offering them access to world-class training, exposure, and resources.
• Global Partnerships: Collaborations with luxury giants like Balenciaga, Guerlain, Galeries Lafayette, and Istituto Marangoni elevate the credibility and visibility of African fashion.
• Cultural Diplomacy: AFU is not just economic—it’s cultural. It repositions African aesthetics as luxury, not niche, and challenges outdated narratives.

Market Impact & Share

• Current Export Value: Africa’s textile and apparel exports already stand at $15.5 billion annually.
• Projected Growth: UNESCO forecasts a tripling of this figure by 2035, contingent on initiatives like AFU that provide structured support.
• AFU’s Role: Since 2021, AFU has supported 29+ designers, creating a ripple effect across supply chains, education, and brand development.
• Market Share Influence: While AFU itself doesn’t hold a quantifiable market share, its influence is strategic—shaping the premium segment of African fashion exports and attracting investment and media attention globally.

🔍 Google SGE & AFU 2025

With the rise of Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), AFU’s digital footprint becomes even more critical:

• Enhanced Discoverability: SGE’s AI-powered summaries and contextual search make AFU’s designers and collections more accessible to global audiences.
• SEO Strategy Shift: AFU and its partners must adapt to SGE’s new content prioritization—focusing on rich storytelling, verified data, and multimedia integration to remain visible.

Africa Fashion Up 2025: Six Designers, One Continental Vision

Selected from over 300 applicants across Africa, these six creatives from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa are redefining what African fashion means on the global stage. Their work blends heritage, innovation, and bold storytelling.

Meet the 2025 Laureates

Hawi Midekssa

Double Triumph for Hawii at Africa Fashion Up 2025

Ethiopian designer Hawi Midekssa, founder of @hawii_, took home two major honors at Africa Fashion Up 2025: the Best Designer Award and the Female Entrepreneurship Award.

Her visionary work and commitment to empowering future creatives earned her a defining moment on the Parisian stage.

Presented beneath the iconic Pont Alexandre III during Paris Fashion Week, Hawii’s runway was a poetic fusion of Ethiopian heritage and global couture. Her designs captivated the audience with their storytelling power, refined craftsmanship, and bold individuality.

Beyond the runway, Hawii’s entrepreneurial spirit shone just as brightly. Her ambition to establish a fashion school in Ethiopia—dedicated to training and uplifting the next generation of African designers—was recognized as a transformative initiative.

Africa Fashion Up 2025 was more than a show—it was a celebration of contemporary African creativity, led by young talents from across the continent. Hawii’s double win marks a new chapter in the global fashion narrative.

Hawii wuns Best Designer Award

Samkelo Xaba

Samkelo Xaba, one of the six visionary laureates of Africa Fashion Up 2025, whose work is reshaping the narrative of African luxury fashion.

Samkelo Xaba – The Architect of Minimalist Elegance

Representing South Africa, Samkelo Xaba is the creative force behind BOYDE, a brand that merges geometric modernism with industrial architecture to craft fashion that’s both cerebral and wearable.

Design Philosophy

• Minimalist silhouettes with architectural precision
• A strong emphasis on comfort and functionality
• Crafted with high-quality materials and a commitment to sustainability

His pieces are not just garments—they’re statements of refined restraint, where every seam and cut serves a purpose.

Africa Fashion Up 2025 Showcase

At the Pont Alexandre III in Paris, Samkelo Xaba unveiled his latest collection during the Africa Fashion Up runway show. His designs stood out for their:

• Sculptural tailoring
• Neutral palettes with bold structural accents
• A quiet confidence that speaks volumes

Mentorship & Acceleration

As a laureate, he gains access to:

• A year-long mentorship with Balenciaga and HEC Paris
• Strategic support in brand development, international scaling, and retail positioning

Samkelo Xaba’s BOYDE is a masterclass in how African design can be both avant-garde and globally relevant. His work doesn’t shout—it resonates.

Frank Aghuno

Fruché Makes Paris Debut at Africa Fashion Up 2025

We are deeply honored to have presented our work on the runway at Africa Fashion Up 2025, held at Le Bridge, beneath the majestic Pont Alexandre III, during Paris Fashion Week.

This milestone marks Fruché’s first showcase in Paris, and we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support from our partners:

• @Balenciaga
• HEC Paris
• @GaleriesLafayette
• @IstitutoMarangoni

Their warm welcome and belief in our vision mean the world to us.

We’re especially excited to begin our year-long mentorship with Balenciaga and HEC, a transformative journey that promises to accelerate our growth and deepen our impact as a brand rooted in Nigerian heritage and contemporary storytelling.

Thank you to Africa Fashion Up and Share Africa for championing African creativity and giving emerging designers a global stage.

Dibo, Sume & Fese Eloli

Eloli Wins Digital Creation Prize at Africa Fashion Up 2025

Cameroonian brand @eloliworld, founded by sisters Dibo, Sume, and Fese Ndumbe-Eyoh, lit up the runway at Africa Fashion Up 2025, held beneath the iconic Pont Alexandre III during Paris Fashion Week.

Their collection—bold, vibrant, and deeply rooted in African heritage—earned them the Digital Creation Prize, awarded by Elizabeth Tchoungui, CSR Director at Orange Group. This honor recognizes Eloli’s excellence in digital storytelling, tech-integrated fashion, and strategic brand development.

Africa Fashion Up 2025 was a vibrant celebration of contemporary African creativity, spotlighting young talents from across the continent who are reshaping the global fashion narrative.

Fese Ndumbe-Eyoh was honored with the prestigious Digital Creation Award, recognizing her:

• Visionary creative commitment
• Mastery of digital tools
• Ability to fuse African heritage with contemporary innovation
• Dedication to elevating African fashion on the global stage

Eloli World continues to redefine luxury with its elegant boldness, celebrating Cameroonian identity through:

• Vibrant colors
• Rich textures
• Refined details — all reimagined with a modern twist.

Africa Fashion Up 2025 was a dazzling celebration of emerging African designers, with over 300 applications and only five laureates selected. Eloli’s win marks a milestone in the brand’s international journey, supported by strategic digital and commercial acceleration

Banke Kuku

Banke Kuku, one of the standout laureates of Africa Fashion Up 2025, whose presence at Paris Fashion Week marked a defining moment for luxury African fashion.

Banke Kuku at Africa Fashion Up 2025

Banke Kuku, the Nigerian-born designer known for her luxury loungewear and bold textile prints, was selected as one of the six laureates of Africa Fashion Up 2025. Her brand, Banke Kuku, blends British tailoring with Nigerian heritage, creating pieces that are both opulent and culturally resonant.

Paris Fashion Week Debut

On June 26, 2025, Banke Kuku showcased her collection beneath the Pont Alexandre III at Le Bridge, as part of the Africa Fashion Up runway show. Her designs stood out for their:

• Vibrant, intricate prints
• Luxurious fabrics
• Effortless silhouettes that redefine comfort and elegance

Africa Now Pop-Up at Galeries Lafayette

Her work is also featured in the “Africa Now” pop-up at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, running until July 18, 2025. This retail showcase brings African luxury fashion directly to European consumers, amplifying visibility and commercial reach.

🎓 Mentorship & Acceleration

As a laureate, Banke Kuku will benefit from:

• A year-long mentorship with Balenciaga and HEC Paris
• Strategic support in business development, branding, and international expansion

Banke Kuku’s journey—from Lagos to London to Paris—is a testament to the power of cultural fusion and entrepreneurial vision. Her brand doesn’t just dress—it tells stories, celebrates identity, and redefines what African luxury can be.

Their Parisian Journey

These designers were invited to Paris for:

• Masterclasses at HEC Paris
• Mentorship with Balenciaga
• Visits to Guerlain and Galeries Lafayette
• A runway show under Pont Alexandre III

They’ll also receive six months of mentorship and international exposure through media and digital platforms.

AFU 2025 – OFFICIALS SPONSORS

Media Partners:

AI FASHION MAG

AI FRIENDLY

DN-A INTERNATIONAL

Venue: