Debonair Afrik bounced back this year after the COVID-19 break with its institutional event, Style Lounge Weekend 2022 (#SLW22). This year’s event started with the Creators Soiree at The Mix Design Hub. The black tie event was well-attended by fashion personalities and enthusiasts alike.

This event is tailored to celebrate creatives in the African fashion space and to launch the Visionaries Fashioning Africa (VFA). The “Visionaries Fashioning Africa” is a platform that supports talents in their respective creative projects. The annual event aims at raising funds through the VFA Gala to support one fashion talent.

In his opening address to the audience, Mr Emmanuel Ekuban, known in the fashion and creative space as Nuel Bans, expanded on what the VFA is and what it sets out to achieve:

VFA will provide fundraising opportunities for everyone to contribute to the cause of the creative industry through its VFA Gala. Each year, every creative will get to pitch a project to a jury. One creative will be selected by the jury, and after careful deliberation, they will receive the grant. The grant will support the project of said creative.

VFA provides a platform for creators to make a difference through game-changing creative works, which aim to transform the fashion industry. The Visionaries Fashioning Africa Gala is a social night to collectively raise funds for creative talent. The funds generated will be used to support the project undertaken by this creative talent, who will also enjoy tailored mentorship from key industry players.

Ending his speech, Mr Nuel Bans encouraged the general public and fashion stakeholders to recognize the potential of the African fashion industry and be supportive. He also urged creatives to be more collaborative, rather than competitive.

In attendance were creative directors of top Ghanaian fashion houses; Ophelia Crossland, Clatural, Nipo Skin, and Atto Tetteh; Sandra “Alexandrina” Don-Arthur, CEO of Alexiglam Studios; media personality Vanessa Gyan; and Brimah Mahmoud, operations manager of Amin Ghana, who doubles as a stylist and creative director.

Also in attendance was researcher and author Ken Kweku Nimo, who in a conversation with fashion PR specialist, Faith Senam discussed his upcoming book: “Africa in Fashion”, which examines designers’ priority for African traditions. He praised South African designer Lukhanyo Mdingi for preserving the traditional culture of textiles in modern fashion.

See more photos from the event below.