African Fashion International celebrates 15 years of fashion

The Mother City was set alight as the Cape Town International Convention Centre hosted the 15th Annual Cape Town Fashion Week (CTFW) by African Fashion International from 23-25 March 2023.

Featuring 18 shows from 9 designers over 3 days, it was a true celebration of the best of Africa’s design talent. The addition of the CTFW Fashion & Retail Expo allowed attendees to not only see the garments fresh off the runway, but also to interact with them and the designers.

“Cape Town Fashion Week is AFI’s platform for showcasing Africa’s creative works while also building corridors of trade exchange that will grow the industry’s economic value,” says businesswoman, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, the founder, and executive chair of AFI.

“CTFW is not only an opportunity for African designers to showcase their work but also to build relationships with those in the international market. This is seen as a way to grow the industry’s economic value.”

Guests were treated to a host of great performances during CTFW from Cape Town Temple Boys, DJ Zinhle, Young Stunna and the final performance by Scorpion Kings.

CTFW ended with a special showcase to celebrate 15 years of African Fashion International. This presentation featured 15 showstopper garments from 15 iconic designers who have been part of the AFI platform since its inception. It was a celebration of not only AFI’s role in the global fashion industry as a catalyst, but also of the work that the fashion body has done to platform incredible Pan-African designers.

Featured in the show were: Gavin Rajah, Kluk CGdT, Taibo Bacar, Loin Cloth & Ashes, Habits, MaXhosa Africa, Craig Port, Matt Nolim, Stefania Morland, Shana Morland, Imprint ZA, Hugo Fleur, Kat van Duinen, David Tlale, Scalo.

All designers who showcased collections were exhibited in the foyer and allowed guests the opportunity to view and purchase the range in their allocated pop-up stores. This provided them a closer look at fabrics, designs, textures and the AFI sales staff explained to customers the concept behind each range.

The showcase was nothing short of breathtaking and every year African Fashion International moves forward in leaps and bounds, and this year was no exception.

AFI also announced the AFI Fastrack 2023 finalists during CTFW. They will undergo a year of mentorship and being guided on how to be designers who will make an impact in the African fashion industry, while also becoming savvy business professionals.

All the garments showcased at CTFW are retail ready and are available on the AFI Online Store and the House of Nala store in Sandton City.

See photos below: