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Dr. Treasured Moloi-Motsepe is a health care health care provider by trade, but an fascination in fashion—and motivation to aid African trend brand names get international attention—inspired her to discovered the African Vogue Intercontinental in 2007. By way of AFI, Motsepe is doing the job to bring investment and purchaser interest to African designers of all kinds to date, the AFI system consists of 100 rising and proven designers.
On March 7, for the duration of the inaugural Forbes 30/50 Summit in Abu Dhabi, AFI partnered with Forbes on a vogue showcase that includes seven of AFI’s greatest designers, who traveled to the UAE from Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and past. The night culminated with 56-year-previous supermodel Paulina Porizkova making a triumphant return to the catwalk, closing the demonstrate in a vivid Sara Tamimi gown and overcoat.
Keep scrolling to see the dazzling types from the showcase and listen to insights from Dr. Motsepe and each individual designer.
Sober Style and design Residence / Tshepo Mafokwane
Tshepo Mafokwane released Sober Structure Household in South Africa in 2006. A vogue style and design graduate from the Tshwane University of Technological innovation, Mafokwane has said her objective is to rejoice all females and their huge capacity to conquer just about anything.
Two of the appears from Tshepo Mafokwane’s Sober Design and style Residence.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Christie Brown / Aisha Ayensu
Two-time African Designer of the Yr award winner Aisha Ayensu started the Ghana-dependent Christie Brown label in 2008. Ayensu’s patterns have been worn by Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé and appeared on the webpages of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue Italia. Ayensu was also mentioned as just one of Forbes‘ Most Promising Entrepreneurs in 2016.
The full presentation from designer Aisha Ayensu.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Marie Louis Bishara
Marie Louis Bishara is a Cairo-dependent trend designer who has proven her perform at Paris Fashion Week and the Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture trend reveals. She is initial feminine president of The Egyptian Apparel & Export Council, and she is also the CEO and vice chairman of Egyptian agricultural business Bishara Team.
Get the job done from Egyptian designer Marie Louis Bishara.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Laaniraani / Shamyra Moodley
Shamyra Moodley was on maternity leave when she created the strategy for Laaniraani, a South African style label with a focus on sustainability and multiculturalism: All of Moodley’s get the job done is handmade with reclaimed or recycled items of cloth, and each individual piece aims to replicate her African, Indian and Irish heritage. In 2021, Moodley was named an AFI Fastrack Younger Designer of the Year.
Two of the appears from Shamyra Moodley’s label Laaniraani.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Sima Collezione / Sima Azadegan
When she turned 50 yrs old, Iranian-American designer Sima Azadegan founded the Sima Collezione with a objective of utilizing her do the job to assist empower girls of all ages. Her styles have appeared at New York Fashion 7 days and have future showcases in the Paris and Milan Vogue Weeks.
A few of the pieces shown 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 regarded for his “haute texture” procedure, which he formulated whilst performing for for Yves Saint Laurent. His procedure includes taking a uncooked textile, like silk, and transforming it into anything else totally, like fur.
Section of Eric Raisina’s selection for the AFI Manner Showcase.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
Sara Tamimi
Abu Dhabi’s personal Sara Tamimi generally desired to be a vogue designer she suggests that even when she was a youngster, she’d develop the garments she couldn’t discover in the retail outlet. Now, Tamimi operates a label with a emphasis on sustainability—she’s been outspoken towards rapid fashion’s adverse outcomes on the environment—and element.
Two models from Emirati designer Sara Tamimi the do the job on the appropriate is worn by model Paulina Porizkova.
Colin Baldwin/Forbes
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copy by Maggie McGrath movie by Ivan Clow and Tim Pierson images by Colin Baldwin and picture modifying from Merrilee Barton