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Toronto once again shows the world that fashion lives here! African Fashion Week Toronto 2024
BY SYDNEE WALCOTT
While Black-owned business brands have always been around, the number of Black-owned businesses started seeing a higher increase in the late 2010s, and there’s no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
The High Fashion Designer Showcases and the AFWT (African Fashion Week Toronto) Runway Show was the place to be on August 23rd, 2024. The fashion show saw Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge and Dundas Square) convert into a runway, where models strutted, wearing clothing designed by talented local Black designers.
African Fashion Week Toronto (AFWT) is a not-for-profit initiative started in 2012 by Isaac Ansah to provide a platform for Black models, designers and creatives to succeed in the fashion industry.
During the daytime, the first part of the fashion show presented just the models strutting down the runway. As daytime transitioned into nighttime, the second half turned into a Rip The Runway-style, consisting of models walking down the runway while a singing or dancing performance took place.
With the event all about highlighting the designs of crafted Black designers, here’s a list of the brands featured in this year’s fashion show:
Remmy Tee: Remmy Tee’s brand specializes in high-quality scarves designed from 100 percent mulberry silk, known for being more: progressing, smoother, lighter and more durable, unlike other types. The scarves are also natural, breathable, and supple on the skin.
House of Filyfing: The vision of Rabiya Tou’s brand is to celebrate the power of appearance. For women, looks can be a key to unlocking opportunities where only impressions matter. The brand worships the essence of being a woman and the impact of female empowerment through formal and semi-formal clothing with an African touch.
Mia Swim Wear: Although Fall is around the corner, summer is still in full swing with the Mia Swim Wear brand. Designed by Mia Swim Wear, the summer-themed brand has the perfect blend of sophisticated swimwear and summer clothing for both women and men.
Kurve Kouture: Kurve Kouture is a Nigerian-based clothing brand for curvy women who are proud of their figures and enjoy flaunting their curves. The formal pieces empower curvy women to wear stylish and sophisticated clothing, allowing their natural confidence to shine.
Omomamae Koncept and Clothing (OMK): Omomamae Koncept and Clothing (OMK) is an established premier fashion brand by Adesanmi Oluwagbnega. The unisex fashion brand sells clothing for every occasion: elegant suits, casual wear, traditional attire and contemporary pieces. Since its establishment in 2008, OMK captured widespread recognition in numerous fashion shows and earned countless awards for its designs.
Ambition: Created by the founder of the African Fashion Week Toronto initiative, Isaac Ansah, Ambition is a newly-founded brand created to represent: inspiration, success and growth. The clothing brand specializes in comforting everyday loungewear with a stylish touch.
NUYU by Stacey: Although Stacey-Ann Vassell’s line designs clothing for women and children of all shapes and sizes, the children’s line is the most captivating. The brand, which stands for Never Underestimate Your Uniqueness, sells luxurious casual and semi-formal clothing, allowing women and children to stay stylish no matter how simple the design is.
QueenFecy: Queen Fecy, a Nigerian-born fashion designer, has a fashion brand that represents more than just fashion alone. Her formal fashion brand, QueenFecy, speaks for her work as a public speaker, philanthropist, and advocate for empowering Black people and youth through all aspects.
The runway show wasn’t all to look forward to that day. In between showcases, acclaimed singers of Black heritage performed a medley of their hits throughout the show. The roster of artists the audience got to be entertained by included: B’Kem, Cobby Kai, Sophia, DT the Artist, and Silla.
The event’s official presenter, Shark Beauty, did a giveaway where audience members could go home with a Shark Beauty product. All they had to do was compete in a series of challenges.
Toronto once again shows the world that fashion lives here!