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African Fashion Week Toronto (AFWT) is the most anticipated diverse Fashion Week in Canada
BY SIMONE J. SMITH
You don’t have to be a fashion designer or historian to know that some of the most popular styles of the day have a rich history and often have roots in Black culture.
It is why it comes as no surprise that African Fashion Week Toronto (AFWT) is the most anticipated diverse Fashion Week in Canada. This year they proudly celebrated their ninth consecutive year virtually from September 16th – September 19th, which ended with a grand finale Mannequin Exhibit featuring local and international designer pieces live at Nathan Phillips Square.
African Fashion Week Toronto is all about celebrating arts, culture, fashion, and creativity. In partnership with Afro Centre For The Arts, it was streamed virtually on Facebook Live and YouTube Live, and all eyes turned to one of Canada’s most prominent diversity events. For four days, AFWT became the heartbeat of the city debuting the latest collection from top designers and brands.
African Fashion Week Toronto provides an unparalleled level of brand exposure drawing hundreds of thousands of impressions and opportunities for brands to connect directly with their target market. AFWT has quickly gained industry recognition as one of Toronto’s leading creative platforms for fashion, art and beauty industries. As a premier event platform, AFWT offers their sponsors/partners the opportunity to promote and market their brands in front of a large progressive audience, media organizations, celebrities, millennial influencers, industry professionals and consumers through fashion shows and networking events.
On Thursday, September 16th, AFWT held their Fashion Business Seminar, which featured a panel of diverse and notable industry professionals. At the seminar, the panelists shared their experiences and educated attendees on key strategies to succeeding in the fashion industry. They covered a variety of topics ranging from: distribution, manufacturing, marketing and retail.
This year they debuted their Student Designer Competition showcase featuring five fashion designers going head-to-head for this year’s winning title. Student Designers had the opportunity to create and style some of the biggest names in Toronto’s news and entertainment including Tracy Moore host of Cityline, Stephanie Henry host of Breakfast Television, Patricia Bebia Mawa, President of Planet Africa, and Auntie Jillian, Reality TV Personality on CTV & TOME.
AFWT was excited to welcome world-renowned Botswana-based designers Black Thrash, St. Kitts & Nevis brand SLBclutches by Sanara Bussue, Canadian-based Nigerian label Ashiru Couture and the debut of lifestyle brand Ambition.
I made my way down to Nathan Phillips Square on September 19th and had the opportunity to speak to the team behind AFWT, and a few of the designers who made an appearance.
The first person that I saw was Brenda Foreman. I knew upon seeing her that she was someone that I needed to speak to. A savvy and vibrant livewire in the world of arts, fashion and entertainment is exactly who I encountered when I met Brenda. She is a certified image consultant, personal brand specialist and entrepreneur. She has since spent the last two decades forging a professional glow up that truly sets her apart.
When you take a look at her resume, you can’t help but be impressed. She is the CEO and Founder of BStyled Image Consulting Firm, a premium styling concierge service, and professional development company that guides executives in communication skills and gainful, promotable self-branding; Creative Director of African Fashion Week Toronto (AFWT), internationally recognized as one of Canada’s major industry events for cultural fashion, art and beauty industries; Co-owner of Movazii, a high-end retail and rental service.
She took a few moments to share with me her AFWT experience.
“Talk about challenges,” Brenda sighed. “COVID-19 did not do us any favours, but I am thankful for the great team that we have. This year we made it a family affair with my daughters not only helping me out behind the scenes, but also actually modelling for the designers. I am grateful to them for that, and it is great to see them so actively involved with the work that I do.”
I also had a chance to speak with Kyle Edwards of Pittbull Guerilla. He shared with me why he got into the clothing game, and what being at AFWT meant to him.
“I am about two years into the designing game, and it has been a journey. I always wanted to see certain clothing being rocked by the younger generation, and I always wondered, why does it have to be so expensive? Being invited to be a part of AFWT, allowed me to showcase my brand, and bring light to a new look in urban fashion.”
It was a pleasure running into Jamaican designer Stacy-Ann Vassell. She is the designer behind Nuyu by Stacy, and like Kyle, this was her first time making an appearance at AFWT.
“I learned how to sew in my church basement,” Stacy tells me. “I started sewing costumes for Elite Dance & Company Inc., and my family recognized my talent, so they urged me to start designing more. My advice to young designers is to never underestimate your uniqueness.”
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Isaac Ansah, Co-founder of African Fashion Week. I am proud to say that he is also a Windsor Alumni, and it was great to see him engaged in work he is passionate about.
“I won’t lie,” Isaac begins, “It has not been easy. Running an event like this with COVID-19 restrictions has proved to be challenging, but we have a dedicated, and loyal team that stuck through it all, and we were able to pull off a successful week.”
AFWT was made possible by their generous sponsors and partners including Afro Centre For The Arts, BlakMaket, Imagn Brands, B Styled by Brenda Foreman, PR Diva Communications, Angela’s Beauty Box, Ralph Media, School of Photography, The Kscope, Afroglobal Television, Elevate (formerly Design Exchange), The ROM, Elite Eventz Decor and Nathan Phillips Square.
You can stay up to date on the latest fashion trends and events by visiting AFWT on their social media platforms:
African Fashion Week Website: www.afwt.ca
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/africanfashionweek
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/africanfashionweektoronto
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/africanfashionweek
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AFWToronto
Snapchat: @africanfashion
Official Hashtag: #afwt2021