As African fashion continues its global ascent, one platform remains at the beating heart of the movement: Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL).
Now in its milestone 15th season, the 2025 edition promises to be a celebration of identity, creativity, and cultural power.
Set to unfold at Space House, an architectural icon near London’s Covent Garden, this year’s AFWL marks a historic moment, it will be among the final major cultural events at the venue before its transition to commercial use. The occasion also lends a ceremonial note to what’s already a landmark fashion event, steeped in history and anticipation.
AFWL has long been a catalyst for blending heritage with innovation, and 2025 will be no different. A show-stopping collaboration with Disney Theatrical Group will open the Saturday evening runway show, featuring a live performance by the cast of The Lion King. More than just spectacle, the performance weaves together the shared African storytelling tradition, celebrating roots, legacy, and modern evolution in a single breath.
The narrative of inclusion and growth continues with AFWL’s enduring partnership with the British Council. Through the Creative DNA Programme, ten emerging designers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda will present their collections. For many, this will be their global debut, an invaluable moment of exposure and empowerment for Africa’s rising fashion talent.
In what could signal a new era for the industry, AFWL is also teasing a strategic alliance with Meta, a move that hints at fashion’s next frontier: the blending of design with immersive technology, virtual experiences, and digital storytelling. The collaboration suggests that the African fashion story will not just be told on runways, but through augmented and virtual realities, creating new spaces of cultural engagement.
Beyond the catwalk, AFWL 2025 will host a series of thought-leadership panels that explores the future of the industry. Discussions will explore artificial intelligence in fashion design, sustainability, the direct-to-consumer revolution, and how to reshape the global narrative of “Made in Africa.” These conversations reflect a growing global consciousness and Africa’s pivotal role in shaping what comes next.
One More Thing…
Perhaps no one exemplifies the intersection of tradition and contemporary style better than Oreagba, the man dubbed “King of Steeze.”
Since his viral debut at the Ojude Oba Festival, Oreagba has captivated audiences with his regal yet edgy fashion sense. Recognized by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) as an Honorary Cultural Ambassador in 2024, he described the 2025 Ojude Oba edition as the “biggest ever,” citing over N2 billion in sponsorships and a $10 million boost to the local economy.
His presence symbolizes a larger trend Africa’s cultural ambassadors are no longer confined to local spaces. They are shaping global aesthetics, influencing trends, and redefining African elegance with every strut and statement.
