A Roaring Debut: The Lion King Opens the Catwalk at AFWL

Disney Theatrical Group brought the magic of the West End to the runway as it opened the evening catwalk showcase at Africa Fashion Week London with a breathtaking live performance from The Lion King. The special appearance transformed the Saturday 7:00pm runway into a celebration of theatre, fashion, and African heritage, delighting audiences and setting an unforgettable tone for the night.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Disney Theatrical Group and AFWL united to create a fusion of storytelling and style. The Lion King cast took to the runway in full costume and character, delivering a powerful opening number that immersed the audience in the colours, rhythms, and energy of the Pride Lands before the evening’s designers presented their collections.

AFWL’s Creative Director, Bola Obileye, brought her signature artistry to the collaboration by designing custom outfits for the performers. Leading singer and actress Thenjiwe Nofemele, who plays Rafiki in The Lion King, was dressed in a bespoke creation that fused traditional African textiles with contemporary runway flair, reflecting both the character’s wisdom and the event’s vibrant energy.

Supporting singers Matthew Nhlapho and Sipho Mlombile were also outfitted in tailored, African-inspired garments designed to complement the production’s theatrical aesthetic while seamlessly integrating into the catwalk’s high-fashion setting.

Bola Obileye, Creative Director at Africa Fashion London, said:

“Designing these pieces was about honouring both the essence of The Lion King and the spirit of Africa Fashion Week London. For Thenjiwe, Matthew, and Sipho, I wanted each garment to reflect their character’s energy while also standing proudly on the runway as a piece of high fashion rooted in African heritage.”

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, Founder of Africa Fashion Week London, said:

“To have The Lion King open our evening catwalk was an extraordinary moment for AFWL. It perfectly captured the spirit of our event, showcasing African heritage, creativity, and performance at the highest level.”

The collaboration not only showcased the enduring appeal of Disney’s landmark stage production, but also highlighted AFWL’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries and spotlighting African culture on a global stage.

ABOUT DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP

DISNEY THEATRICAL GROUP, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher. Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by more than 200 million theatregoers and have been nominated for 62 Tony® Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honour 20 times. 

The company’s inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994, playing a remarkable 13-year run on Broadway and continues to be produced in replica productions around the world over four decades. In November 1997, Disney made theatrical history with the opening of The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Director, Julie Taymor, who became the first woman in Broadway history to win the award. Approaching 30 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed over 124 million visitors worldwide to date and has multiple productions currently running worldwide. 

The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica and its worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or entertainment title in box office history. Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards. 

ABOUT AFRICA FASHION WEEK LONDON

Africa Fashion Week London’s annual catwalk and exhibition event is one of the world’s largest and longest-running showcases of African and African-inspired fashion & design. Now in its 15th year, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has hosted 3000 emerging and established designers and exhibitors to 75,000 visitors, including buyers, retailers, industry professionals and global media.  Overall, 26 African countries and 67 countries have been represented, including diaspora designers from Brazil, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas. Additionally, AFWL has produced 12 third-party events such as the Southbank Centre’s Africa Utopia and Meltdown Festival, The Mayor of London’s Africa on the Square, and The Africa Centre’s Summer Festival. Such is the importance of AFWL, that the initiative positively impacts, directly and indirectly, over 5000 individuals annually including SMEs, designers, tailors, textile designers, students, visitors, models, stylists, photographers, journalists, caterers, artists, tech and production staff and lovers of fashion.