Africa Fashion Week London 2026 Launches Creative Panel Talks
-
- August 6, 2026
The Africa Fashion Week London Creative Panel Talks hosted by the British Council will bring together some of the world’s most influential designers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, journalists, and creative leaders for a day of inspiring conversations about the future of Africa’s creative economy.
From preserving traditional artisanship and advancing sustainability to unlocking international trade, embracing technology, and building stronger creative ecosystems. these thought-provoking discussions will explore the opportunities shaping the next generation of African fashion and creativity.
Learn more about the stellar line-up of speakers below.
Note: These talks are free, but you must RSVP. Seating is limited.
Hosts
Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi
Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi is an internationally recognised fashion entrepreneur, cultural leader, and founder of Africa Fashion Week London, the largest and longest-running African fashion platform outside of the continent.
Through her pioneering work, she has created opportunities for thousands of designers, artisans, and creative businesses, championing African fashion as a driver of cultural diplomacy, trade, education, and sustainable development.
https://www.instagram.com/queenronkeofficial
Farai Ncube
As Arts and Culture Director for Africa at the British Council, Farai Ncube leads the organisation’s arts and creative economy portfolio across 16 African countries, designing strategic programmes and partnerships that strengthen the continent’s cultural and creative industries. With over a decade of experience in cultural leadership, she has spearheaded landmark initiatives including Creative DNA, Film Lab Africa, Music Connects, Moving Images, and Culture Grows, creating opportunities for creatives through international collaboration, market access, research, and innovation. Passionate about empowering young people and women, her work champions inclusive growth, cross-sector partnerships, and the global recognition of Africa’s rich cultural and creative heritage.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/farai-bayai-ncube-212511b2
Bola Obileye
Bola Obileye is a Nigerian-born fashion designer, entrepreneur, and Creative Director of Africa Fashion Week London. As the founder of TOTE London, she is renowned for creating timeless luxury accessories and fashion inspired by African heritage, vintage aesthetics, and contemporary craftsmanship.
With a background in technology and business consulting, Bola brings a unique strategic perspective to the creative industries, combining innovation with cultural storytelling. At Africa Fashion Week London, she leads the event’s creative vision, mentors emerging designers, shapes industry collaborations, and champions African fashion as a global force for creativity, sustainability, and cultural exchange.
Passionate about empowering women and celebrating individuality through design, Bola continues to build platforms that connect African talent with international audiences and commercial opportunities.
https://www.instagram.com/bolaobileye
Anna Marie Benedict
Anna Marie Benedict is the Media & Partnerships Director of Africa Fashion Week London, where she leads international communications, strategic partnerships, media relations, and creative storytelling.
With more than two decades of experience across fashion, publishing, education, and the creative industries, she has helped position AFWL as one of the world’s leading platforms for African fashion, connecting designers with global audiences, universities, brands, cultural institutions, and trade opportunities.
Panel 1 –
The Importance of African Fashion in Higher Education
Gavin Douglas
Gavin Douglas is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Fashion Identity and Equity at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Manchester Fashion Institute, where he champions equity, diversity, and inclusion in fashion education and the global fashion industry.
A passionate advocate for race equity and inclusive education, Gavin works to ensure underrepresented voices shape both curriculum and industry practice.
He also serves as Co-Chair of Fashion and the Arts Creating Equity (FACE) and is a Trustee of the Graduate Fashion Foundation, helping to drive meaningful change across the fashion sector.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-douglas-fashion
Katie Greenwood
Katie Greenwood is a lecturer in Fashion Design at Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, and has 20 years’ experience designing for luxury, lifestyle and streetwear brands. As an educator, Katie enables students to contextualise their work within the contemporary fashion landscape, emphasising sustainable and ethical practice.
For the past two years, Katie has led the Africa Fashion Week London brief as part of Fashion X Module. The project challenges fashion business, communication and design students to work together, strategising how to introduce Nigerian Adire textiles to a new audience without losing the cultural significance and origin story of the fabric.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-greenwood-aa84a6293
Nike Awoyinka
Nike Awoyinka is the Founder of Refounding, a cultural venture exploring the people, ideas and creative movements shaping Africa and its diaspora. A cultural strategist and international consultant, she has spent almost two decades working across some of the UK’s and Europe’s leading creative education institutions. She is currently supporting the launch of NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti)’s first international campus in London.
Nike regularly moderates conversations on African creativity and the creative economy, with a particular focus on advancing the role of African women through greater representation, equitable remuneration and increased influence within the global creative economy.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nike-awoyinka
Panel 2 – Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield:
Nurturing the Next Generation of Creative Talent
Helen Jennings
Helen Jennings is an award-winning fashion journalist, editor, author, and cultural curator with over two decades of experience championing African fashion and contemporary culture.
As Co-founder and Editorial Director of Nataal and author of New African Fashion, she has played a pivotal role in elevating African designers, artists, and creatives on the global stage.
Through her writing, exhibitions, and international collaborations, Helen continues to shape conversations around African creativity, identity, and cultural innovation, connecting audiences with the continent’s most influential creative voices.
She has contributed to titles such as Vogue, WePresent, Apartamento and Sunday Times. She penned the coffee-table book New African Fashion (Prestel, 2011) and has written essays for other books including Africa Modern, Fashion Cities Africa and Fashion & Post-Colonial Critique.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-jennings-8b050a2
Nick Hartwright
Nick Hartwright is the Founder and CEO of Projekt, a pioneering social enterprise that transforms underused buildings into affordable workspaces, studios, and collaborative hubs for artists, designers, entrepreneurs, and creative businesses.
Through landmark initiatives including Studio Smithfield and Green Rooms, the UK’s first arts-led social enterprise hotel, Nick has created thriving ecosystems that enable creative talent to grow and succeed.
Passionate about the future of the creative industries, he works with public and private partners to develop innovative spaces that foster entrepreneurship, collaboration, and sustainable creative communities.
Martha Mosse
Martha Mosse is the inaugural Director of Paul Smith’s Foundation, where she leads programmes that equip emerging creatives with the skills, networks, and confidence to build sustainable careers.
She oversees The Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield, an innovative business development programme delivered in partnership with the Mayor of London and Projekt, supporting early-career designers through mentorship, industry access, and enterprise training.
Previously Head of Operations and Artist Relations at the Sarabande Foundation, founded by Alexander McQueen, Martha has become a leading advocate for nurturing creative talent and strengthening the future of the UK’s fashion and creative industries through collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/martha-mosse-a0214270
Renata Brenha
Renata Brenha is a London-based Brazilian fashion designer whose eponymous label is internationally recognised for its innovative approach to sustainable fashion and material transformation.
Combining reclaimed textiles with traditional craft techniques, her work explores identity, memory, and cultural storytelling through contemporary womenswear.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins and the Royal College of Art, Renata has received international recognition for her commitment to circular design and was an artist-in-residence at the Sarabande Foundation.
Through her practice, she continues to challenge conventional ideas of value, craftsmanship, and sustainability in the global fashion industry.
https://www.instagram.com/renata.brenha
Chido Kaseke
Chido Kaseke is a Zimbabwean artisan, entrepreneur, and founder of PatCh Maokoe Zimbabwe, a slow fashion brand renowned for its handcrafted eco-conscious handbags and accessories.
Inspired by Zimbabwe’s craft traditions, she transforms locally sourced natural fibres into contemporary designs that celebrate sustainability, heritage, and exceptional craftsmanship.
Through her commitment to ethical production and artisan skills, Chido is championing Zimbabwean design while demonstrating how fashion can preserve culture, empower communities, and contribute to a more sustainable creative industry.
https://www.instagram.com/patch_maoko_ezim
Bettydora Odhiambo
Bettydora Odhiambo is the founder and Creative Director of Atieno Yarns, a contemporary Kenyan fashion brand renowned for transforming traditional East African crochet into bold, modern fashion.
Inspired by Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and coastal vibrancy, her collections celebrate craftsmanship, natural fibres, and innovative design while redefining crochet as a powerful medium for contemporary African fashion.
Through her work, Bettydora champions sustainable craftsmanship, cultural preservation, and the global recognition of Kenyan design and creative excellence.
https://www.instagram.com/atienostudio
Panel 3 – Creativity Beyond Borders
Oliver Enwonwu
Oliver Enwonwu FRSA, FRAI, FSNA is an internationally acclaimed artist, curator, cultural entrepreneur, and Executive Director of The Ben Enwonwu Foundation.
Working across painting and sculpture, his practice explores identity, memory, spirituality, and the relationship between people and place. Through his curatorial, publishing, and advisory work, Oliver champions African artistic heritage and its relevance to contemporary society, advocating for the role of art and culture in shaping inclusive, resilient communities.
His work has been exhibited and collected internationally, and he continues to contribute to cultural leadership through lectures, public engagement, and service on heritage and cultural boards in the UK and Africa. He is currently on the Advisory Board of CANEX WKND 2026
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverenwonwuofficial
Ikanyeng Molemele
Ikanyeng Molemele is a digital transformation executive, technology strategist, and Chairperson of the Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub with extensive international experience leading innovation, ICT governance, and organisational change.
She has delivered major technology and digital transformation programmes for organisations including Vodafone, O2, Huawei, Ericsson, Virgin Media, British Telecom, Telefónica, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and Capgemini.
Passionate about the growth of Africa’s creative industries, Ikanyeng champions the use of digital innovation, emerging technologies, and cross-sector partnerships to strengthen the creative economy, empowering creative entrepreneurs, cultural organisations, and businesses to innovate, scale, and compete in global markets.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikanyengmolemele
Temi Salami
Temilade Salami is a sustainability entrepreneur, climate advocate, and founder of Tuntunre, a circular fashion brand reimagining discarded denim into premium products that celebrate African craftsmanship and drive environmental impact. With nearly a decade of experience in climate action and strategic communications, she has worked across Africa and globally to champion youth leadership, sustainability, and education.
Her work spans entrepreneurship, storytelling, and systems change, demonstrating how businesses can create both economic opportunity and environmental solutions.
Through Tuntunre, Temilade is building one of Africa’s leading circular fashion brands by combining traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to reduce textile waste while creating dignified livelihoods for local artisans.
She has collaborated with organisations including the Earthshot Prize, UNESCO, the Global Partnership for Education, HP, and C40 Cities, and is a sought-after speaker on circular economy, sustainable fashion, climate leadership, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
Andrea Djan-Krofa
Tola Alade
Tola Alade is a Nigerian-born founder, brand strategist and venture coach building companies that reshape how Africa is seen globally.
Over 15 years he’s built three ventures: a Top 100 UK design agency, a cross-border fintech that raised $2M and reached 60,000 users, and Marmalade, a venture studio behind the DÒDÒ (Plantain-Infused Rum), Marmalade Collective (Media & Community Platform) and Orange (Branding Consultancy).
He coaches ambitious founders on brand, fundraising and growth, and has been credited with helping secure over $52M in funding. His mission: better brands, better products, better perceptions for Africa(ns).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tolaalade
Panel 4 – The Future of African Fashion
Bisi Akins
Bisi Akins is a Nigerian-British presenter, cultural storyteller, and founder of All Things Africa, a platform dedicated to preserving and celebrating African history, culture, and heritage through engaging digital content and curated experiences.
Passionate about authentic storytelling and narrative ownership, she creates spaces that connect global audiences with Africa’s rich cultural legacy while inspiring deeper understanding of the continent’s diverse identities.
Through her work across media, live events, and cultural education, Bisi is helping shape a new generation of conversations around African heritage, creativity, and cultural preservation.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bisi-akins
Dr Avis Ellis-Charles
Dr Avis Ellis-Charles is an award-winning couturier, fashion educator, and creative director with an international reputation for excellence in couture craftsmanship and fashion education.
As a specialist in garment construction, heritage techniques, creative innovation and cultural preservation, she has worked with leading institutions and well-known fashion houses to champion excellence in fashion.
Dr Avis and her consultancy ACA were the producers of the acclaimed Dress Codes exhibition in 2025 at Historic Royal Palaces, bringing her passion for education, expertise in couture and dress history to one of the UK’s most celebrated fashion exhibitions.
Passionate about nurturing the next generation of designers, she continues to inspire through teaching, mentoring, and promoting the highest standards of craftsmanship.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-avis-charles
Bidemi
Bidemi is a German-Nigerian content creator and creative storyteller dedicated to celebrating African fashion and culture.
Through her content, she shines a light on both emerging and established designers from across the continent, encouraging audiences to look beyond trends and appreciate the craftsmanship, innovation, and stories behind African fashion. Passionate about amplifying underrepresented creatives,
Bidemi is helping shape a new global conversation around African design.
https://www.instagram.com/bybidemi
Bukky Asehinde
Bukky Asehinde is a creative ecosystem builder, entrepreneur, and founder of Bellafricana, one of Africa’s leading platforms dedicated to supporting and promoting creative businesses. Inspired by a desire to see African brands recognised for their quality, craftsmanship, and cultural value, she has spent over a decade creating opportunities that connect designers, makers, and entrepreneurs with global audiences.
Through Bellafricana, TALES (The African Lifestyle Experience), and TALES House London, Bukky has built an ecosystem that combines storytelling, business support, strategic partnerships, and international market access to help African creative businesses thrive. Her work has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs across multiple African countries, strengthening the creative economy while preserving the continent’s rich cultural heritage.
Recognised as a leading advocate for African creative entrepreneurship, Bukky continues to champion collaboration, innovation, and sustainable business growth, creating the infrastructure and opportunities that enable African creativity to flourish on the world stage.
Tales House will also be the venue for the Official Africa Fashion Week London 2026 Press Conference on Monday 17 August at 3pm.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bukky-asehinde-b1910376
Joan Nantege
Fireside Chat – Heritage & Identity
Samson Soboye
Samson Soboye is an award-winning fashion designer, educator, creative director, and Head Stylist of Africa Fashion Week London and owner of the stalwart London boutique, Soboye.
With more than a decade of experience leading the styling direction for AFWL’s runway shows, he has worked with hundreds of designers to bring their collections to life through compelling visual storytelling.
Celebrated for his creative vision and collaborative approach, Samson continues to champion African fashion, mentor emerging talent, and shape the next generation of design excellence.
https://www.instagram.com/samson_soboye
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samson-soboye-89a45b17b
Àsìkò
Àsìkò is a contemporary visual artist whose practice explores identity, memory, heritage, and the evolving narratives of African life. Through expressive photography, paintings and immersive visual storytelling.
Asiko creates work that bridges personal experience with broader social and cultural themes, inviting audiences to reflect on history, belonging, and the future.
Exhibited internationally, Asiko continues to challenge perceptions of African contemporary art while contributing to global conversations around creativity, culture, and representation.
