From Swahili Fashion Week
Some of the attires that were showcased at the Swahilli fashion week courtesy photos.
What you need to know:
The seventh edition of the event this year brought designers from as far as Zimbabwe to the stage, but was dominated by designers on the homefront in Tanzania.
October/November is becoming a great fashion season for Africa. The different fashion weeks in different East African cities culminate into the Swahili Fashion Week, which was started by Tanzanian fashion designer, Mustafa Hassanali.
Gradually, it has grown to include designers beyond Swahili speaking countries.
This year, these included PALSE South Africa from South Africa; Innocent Dorkenoo from Ghana; Namibia’s Taati Sibolile – Maison; Jose Rui Lopez, Angola; Sabina Mutsavat, Zimbabwe, and AFRIKAdirndl, Austria.
The rest were from Tanzania.
About the Swahili Fashion Week
Swahili Fashion Week is the biggest and largest annual fashion event in the whole of East and Central Africa. It provides a platform for fashion and accessory designers from Swahili-speaking countries and beyond to showcase their talent and network with clientele and the international fashion industry.
This is all aimed at emphasising to the region that fashion is an income generating creative industry, whereas promoting a “Made in Africa” concept. Swahili Fashion Week was founded and created by Tanzanian couturier, Mustafa Hassanali, in 2008.
2014 mark the Seventh edition of the Annual Event
The logo
The Swahili Fashion Week logo is mirror image of the African continent, graphically resembling the kipepeo (the Swahili name for a vibrant, colourful butterfly).
The image of Africa resembles the face of an African woman with her characteristic head wrap; the sharp models give a glamorous feel to the “Fashion is Business” and “Made in Africa” ideas.The wings resemble the direction aimed at taking Eastern African fashion industry to another level.
The vision
Swahili Fashion Week is geared towards being the most sought out after and preferred fashion platform in Africa for the international market
Mission
Fashion Week aims to;
• Promote Eastern African fashion brands.
• Improve the quality and output of fashion design from East Africa
• Provide a platform for up and coming young designers in the region
• Create opportunities for East African products in African Diaspora markets.
