Student sample of washed denim fabric with the word “Adire” written in bleach. Photo Credit: Africa Fashion Week London
Student sample of washed denim fabric with the word “Adire” written in bleach. Photo Credit: Africa Fashion Week London

In January 2025, Africa Fashion Week London expanded the partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University by launching a joint project called Project Fashion X, between AFWL, the Adire Oodua Textile Hub and the Manchester Institute of Fashion (Manchester Met University) for a vibrant exchange of fashion, heritage, and innovation.

Second Year BA Fashion & Textile Design students learnt how Adire is made and will be using their fabrics to create outfits using digital software Clo3D. The winning outfits will be showcased at AFWL2025.

Fast forward to Monday 19 May, Africa Fashion Week London’s AFWL’s PR Director Anna Marie Benedict and Head Stylist & Educator Samson Soboye were on campus to experience the University’s Graduate Fashion Week and to judge some the outcome of the Project Fashion X portfolios of promising talent.

Celebrating African Excellence at Manchester Met Graduate Fashion Week

The highlight of the visit began with Manchester Met’s Graduate Fashion Show, where graduating students unveiled boundary-pushing collections with heart and soul. Two African-heritage designers stood out for their powerful storytelling and impeccable craftsmanship:

  • Sarah Ajayi (Nigeria) whose bold textile choices and contemporary cuts brought her heritage to the runway with confidence.
  • Rhodel Mintah (Ghana) presented a beautifully considered collection that paid homage to West African aesthetics while pushing traditional silhouettes in a modern context. As testament to her talent, Rhodel was sponsored by Italian fashion brand, MaxMara.
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Project X Portfolio Judging: 30 Visionaries, including 1 Musical Masterpiece

On Tuesday 20 May, Course Leaders Katie Greenwood and Sarah Collins guided the team through judging 30 shortlisted portfolios from second-year BA Fashion and Textile students, all of whom worked with traditional Adire fabric sourced from the Adire Oodua Textile Hub.

The creativity was phenomenal, so much so that six students were selected for further opportunities:

  • Three will showcase their designs at AFWL2025
  • Three will have their work brought to life through Clo3D digital modelling

One unforgettable moment came from student Miranda, who took her research beyond the classroom. She contacted the Adire Oodua Textile Hub directly, even speaking with Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi to deepen her understanding of the musical symbols found in Adire patterns.

Her final piece? A percussive outfit featuring custom brass beads, created by dropping molten metal into water. These beads jingled and chimed with every movement, making the fabric not only wearable but audible. A true sensory celebration of culture and craft.

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Adire for the Cold? Yes, please!

Equally exciting was the experimentation with Adire as winterwear. Students sampled quilting and padding techniques, imagining the fabric as puffer jackets, ski wear, and outerwear suitable for colder climates. It was a revelation, showing that traditional African textiles can thrive in global fashion contexts, all year round.

This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration, curiosity, and cultural exchange. We can’t wait to see these designers on the AFWL 2025 catwalk and beyond.

With enormous thanks to Gavin Douglas Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan for initiating and facilitating the AFWL Manchester Met partnership.