With its inception in 2010, Hub of Africa Fashion Week (HAFW) understood the need for an event to highlight and project African designers’ growing talent to the international market. It has given a platform to hardworking designers, with a commitment to be a part of the growth of the industry in Ethiopia and the region by making Addis the HUB.
This year’s event was a week-long event that spanned from January 9 – 14 2024 in Addis Ababa. It went beyond the runway as it has for many of its past iterations offering a platform for dialogue and education through highly engaged and attended conference sessions. Masterclasses on the nitty-gritty of excelling at fashion design were also held. The event unfolded across three different locations offering the attendees a diverse experience. The opening night at Hyatt Regency featured an exclusive runway show by Samra, which set the tone for the week ahead.
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One of the highlights of the event was the Emerging Designers Platform, where six promising young designers such as Kuru, Letarik, Efrata, Dark Light by Yasmin, DAGMAWIT, and Mesmer who had the opportunity to present their brands and share the inspiration behind their creations.
The solo shows at ETMetro Gallery on Wednesday and Thursday provided an intimate setting for designers, featuring a carefully curated selection of talent from Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Rwanda.
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Friday’s showcase at Kana Studio Warehouse was a grand affair, featuring 18 designers. The collaboration with the British Council CDNA program showcased the work of talented Ethiopian designers, emphasizing the importance of global partnerships in the fashion industry.
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Saturday and Sunday saw the “Shop the Runway” Marketplace at Hyatt Regency, Addis Ababa. This allowed brands to connect directly with consumers and sell their products. A creative art experience-sharing session on Sunday, in collaboration with the British Council and LinkUp Addis hosted at the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, brought together designers and art enthusiasts for an enriching discussion to close the activities.
This year’s Hub of Africa Fashion Week saw the participation of over 30 designers and over 100 models.
Find out more about HAFW 2023 on www.hafwaddis.com.