Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe is a professional medical medical professional by trade, but an fascination in fashion—and desire to aid African trend brands get worldwide attention—inspired her to identified the African Style Global in 2007. By means of AFI, Motsepe is operating to bring expenditure and customer interest to African designers of all sorts to day, the AFI system includes 100 emerging and set up designers.
On March 7, throughout the inaugural Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, AFI partnered with Forbes on a fashion showcase showcasing seven of AFI’s finest designers, who traveled to the UAE from Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and further than. The night culminated with 56-12 months-previous supermodel Paulina Porizkova building a triumphant return to the catwalk, closing the present in a vivid Sara Tamimi costume and overcoat.
Preserve scrolling to see the stunning styles from the showcase and hear insights from Dr. Motsepe and every single designer.
Sober Style and design Dwelling / Tshepo Mafokwane
Tshepo Mafokwane released Sober Design and style Dwelling in South Africa in 2006. A trend style and design graduate from the Tshwane College of Technological know-how, Mafokwane has mentioned her target is to celebrate all girls and their large means to conquer nearly anything.
Two of the seems from Tshepo Mafokwane’s Sober Style Residence.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Christie Brown / Aisha Ayensu
Two-time African Designer of the Year award winner Aisha Ayensu started the Ghana-dependent Christie Brown label in 2008. Ayensu’s styles have been worn by Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé and appeared on the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue Italia. Ayensu was also stated as a single of Forbes‘ Most Promising Entrepreneurs in 2016.
The comprehensive presentation from designer Aisha Ayensu.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Marie Louis Bishara
Marie Louis Bishara is a Cairo-based trend designer who has shown her work at Paris Manner Week and the Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture vogue demonstrates. She is 1st woman president of The Egyptian Clothing & Export Council, and she is also the CEO and vice chairman of Egyptian agricultural enterprise Bishara Team.
Perform from Egyptian designer Marie Louis Bishara.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Laaniraani / Shamyra Moodley
Shamyra Moodley was on maternity leave when she formulated the notion for Laaniraani, a South African design label with a concentrate on sustainability and multiculturalism: All of Moodley’s perform is handmade with reclaimed or recycled parts of fabric, and every piece aims to mirror her African, Indian and Irish heritage. In 2021, Moodley was named an AFI Fastrack Youthful Designer of the 12 months.
Two of the seems to be from Shamyra Moodley’s label Laaniraani.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Sima Collezione / Sima Azadegan
When she turned 50 decades old, Iranian-American designer Sima Azadegan launched the Sima Collezione with a objective of applying her perform to assist empower girls of all ages. Her patterns have appeared at New York Vogue Week and have upcoming showcases in the Paris and Milan Vogue Weeks.
Three of the parts proven from the Sima Collezione.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Eric Raisina
Born in Madagascar, educated in Paris and now primarily based in Siem Experience, Cambodia, Raisina is known for his “haute texture” strategy, which he designed though functioning for for Yves Saint Laurent. His process requires having a raw textile, like silk, and reworking it into anything else entirely, like fur.
Component of Eric Raisina’s assortment for the AFI Manner Showcase.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Sara Tamimi
Abu Dhabi’s individual Sara Tamimi generally needed to be a vogue designer she claims that even when she was a boy or girl, she’d build the garments she could not locate in the keep. Right now, Tamimi operates a label with a focus on sustainability—she’s been outspoken in opposition to rapid fashion’s damaging effects on the environment—and element.
Two layouts from Emirati designer Sara Tamimi the function on the proper is worn by design Paulina Porizkova.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Extra FROM FORBESWOMEN
copy by Maggie McGrath video clip by Ivan Clow and Tim Pierson photos by Colin Baldwin and picture modifying from Merrilee Barton
