AFRICA FASHION STYLE 2490X3508 DN-AFRICA – COVER – NUMBER 339 – March 8 2025 Ayesha RODRIGO
Date: March 8 2025
Location: Paris, France
Ayesha RODRIGO
Ayesha RODRIGO made a striking appearance as the cover star for DN-AFRICA – Issue No. 339, released on March 8, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day. The edition, titled “AFRICA FASHION STYLE”, was produced in collaboration with Vendôme Paris, spotlighting Afro-European elegance and the fusion of couture with cultural identity.
About the Cover
- Dimensions: 2490×3508 pixels — a high-resolution editorial format
- Theme: Empowerment through fashion — blending Sri Lankan grace with African heritage
- Styling: Ayesha wears a Vendôme Paris signature piece, designed to evoke strength, femininity, and futurism
- Visual Direction: Shot during the AEFW Haute Couture Fashion Week 2025 at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
Who Is Ayesha RODRIGO?
- Sri Lankan-born, based in France
- Known for her presence on TikTok and social media, where she blends fashion, humor, and cultural pride
- Ambassador for Vendôme Paris, representing the brand’s commitment to diversity and emerging global talent
- Often referred to as the “Queen of Everything” — a nod to her bold, unapologetic style and digital charisma
We Why This Cover Matters
- Celebrates Afro-Asian representation in European fashion
- Aligns with DN-AFRICA’s mission to elevate African creativity and diaspora voices
- Marks a milestone for Vendôme Paris, reinforcing its role as a platform for inclusive haute couture
VENDÔME PARIS
Vendôme Paris is a luxury fashion house and creative label based in France, known for blending haute couture, cultural diplomacy, and editorial innovation — especially through its collaborations with platforms like DN-AFRICA and events such as AEFW (Asian & European Fashion Week).
What Is Vendôme Paris?
- A fashion and lifestyle brand that merges European elegance with global influences, particularly from Africa and Asia
- Based in Paris, often associated with high-end venues like Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Grand Palais
- Known for its couture collections, editorial covers, and support of emerging talents from diverse backgrounds
Artistic Direction & Collaborations
Vendôme Paris is deeply involved in:
- Fashion diplomacy — using style as a bridge between cultures
- Editorial storytelling — producing covers and features with figures like Ayesha Rodrigo, Zoubida Yasmine Taleb, and Daniel Nguyen
- Cultural events — including Carnaval Tropical de Paris, Black Experience 2025, and AI-powered fashion showcases
Why It Matters
Vendôme Paris isn’t just a brand — it’s a platform for representation:
- Elevates Afro-European and Asian voices in fashion
- Supports ethical innovation, including AI FRIENDLY design principles
- Partners with DN-AFRICA to spotlight fashion as a tool for identity, empowerment, and diplomacy
AEFW (ASIAN EUROPEAN FASHION WEEK)
AEFW (Asian European Fashion Week) and its visionary CEO, Rex Christy Fernando
What Is AEFW?
Asian European Fashion Week (AEFW) is a prestigious fashion event held in Paris, designed to bridge the creative worlds of Asia and Europe. It’s more than a runway — it’s a cultural exchange, a platform for emerging designers, and a celebration of diversity in haute couture.
Key Features:
- Runway shows featuring designers from Sri Lanka, Japan, France, Morocco, and beyond
- Editorial collaborations with DN-AFRICA and Vendôme Paris
- Inclusive fashion showcases, including the Massira Inclusive initiative
- Ethical fashion focus, promoting sustainability and digital innovation
AEFW is known for its fusion of fashion, diplomacy, and technology, often integrating AI, Web3, and blockchain into its presentations.
Who Is Rex Christy Fernando?
Rex Fernando is the CEO and founder of AEFW and House of Vendôme Paris. He’s a multi-brand entrepreneur, fashion show producer, and advocate for inclusive fashion.
Roles & Achievements:
| Title | Organization |
|---|---|
| CEO | AEFW – Asian European Fashion Week |
| CEO | House of Vendôme Paris |
| Director | DAMON Paris |
| Founder | Massira Inclusive – fashion for differently-abled models |
| Photographer | DN-AFRICA, LUDIC Magazine, World Class Beauty Queens |
| President | Miss Summer World France, Queen of South Asia Sri Lanka |
Global Reach:
- Produced shows in Paris, Cannes, Colombo, Dubai
- Partnered with Studio 24 Nigeria, SmartRezo, and DN-AFRICA
- Promotes fashion diplomacy, empowering designers from underrepresented regions
Why It Matters
AEFW under Rex Fernando’s leadership is redefining fashion as a tool for cultural storytelling, social inclusion, and digital sovereignty. It’s not just about clothes — it’s about identity, innovation, and impact.
L’OFFICIEL INDIA
’OFFICIEL INDIA has played a standout role as a media and creative partner of Asian European Fashion Week (AEFW), adding editorial prestige and global visibility to the event.
AEFW × L’OFFICIEL INDIA Collaboration
This partnership has been described as an “exceptional collaboration”, showcasing a shared commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and cultural fusion in fashion.
🔍 Highlights of the Partnership:
- Editorial coverage of AEFW’s runway shows and designer showcases
- Creative storytelling by fashion journalist Ishita Kamra, spotlighting the artistry behind the collections
- Amplification of South Asian designers, including ARUNAGOUD (India) and Anjali Phougat, through L’OFFICIEL’s platform
- Backstage access and interviews, capturing the essence of Rex Fernando’s vision and the event’s inclusive ethos
AEFW’s 2025 edition, held in Paris, featured dazzling showcases at Hôtel de l’Industrie and La Chapelle Parisienne, with L’OFFICIEL INDIA documenting the fusion of Asian heritage and European elegance.
Why It Matters
This partnership elevates AEFW’s global reach, positioning it not just as a fashion event, but as a cultural movement. L’OFFICIEL INDIA’s editorial lens brings depth, storytelling, and visibility to designers who are often underrepresented on the international stage.
Maurice MONLOUIS Conciergerie Premium
Who Is Maurice Monlouis?
Maurice Monlouis is a pioneer in luxury concierge services, known for redefining high-end hospitality across Paris, Cannes, Monte Carlo, and beyond. His career began with close interactions with influential personalities and elite clients, giving him a deep understanding of the expectations of the ultra-wealthy.
Signature Traits:
- Master of the impossible — turning ambitious requests into effortless realities
- Discreet and detail-oriented, with a vast network of trusted partners
- Global luxury expert, curating bespoke experiences from yacht charters to private cultural tours
He’s built a reputation for flawless execution, whether it’s securing last-minute Michelin-star reservations or organizing exclusive events during the Cannes Film Festival.
Prestige Conciergerie: The Brand
Prestige Conciergerie is a private luxury concierge service based in Paris, offering tailored experiences to both individuals and businesses.
Read More:
AI FASHION MAG
AI FASHION MAG by Zoubida Yasmine Taleb is a pioneering digital magazine that explores the cutting edge of fashion through the lens of artificial intelligence, Web 3.0, and decentralized innovation.
What Is AI FASHION MAG?
Founded in Paris and launched in May 2025, AI FASHION MAG is more than a publication — it’s a platform for future-forward fashion thinkers, creatives, and technologists. It dives deep into how AI is reshaping:
- Design processes
- Retail experiences
- Sustainability strategies
- Digital ownership and blockchain fashion
About Zoubida Yasmine Taleb
Zoubida is a visionary editor and creative strategist, known for blending editorial storytelling with technological foresight. Her work with AI FASHION MAG positions her as a leading voice in the fashion-tech revolution, especially in Europe and Africa.
She also curated the SS2025 Couture Collection under the theme Friendly Artificial Intelligence (FAI) — a concept that merges emotional intelligence with machine creativity.
AI FRIENDLY
What Is “AI FRIENDLY”?
The term refers to AI models and technologies designed to have a positive impact on humanity, rather than posing risks like job displacement or ethical conflicts. It’s not about making AI “nice” in a social sense — it’s about ensuring AI:
- Upholds human dignity
- Avoids harm
- Supports inclusive development
- Respects cultural diversity and autonomy
This concept was notably highlighted in a published in Paris in September 2023, emphasizing the importance of value preservation and ethical alignment in AI systems.
DN-A INTERNATIONAL
EXPERT SEO, CEO & Owner, DN-AFRICA.COM Fashion Photographer – Seo GOOGLE
Daniel Nguyen is the CEO and owner of DN-Africa, a premier African fashion magazine that is revolutionizing the landscape of the African fashion industry and elevating the global fashion arena to new heights .
The magazine offers an unparalleled digital journey tailored for professionals within the Fashion Industry.
It curates an array of distinctive services encompassing editorial content, photography, and video resources.
The goal of DN-Africa is to provide African fashion trends through cultural and fashion events and to identify new faces and talents. By mixing up massive and complex digital data, DN-Africa creates strategic leverage for designers who want to improve their global image on the internet faster.
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