Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Africa Fashion Up has firmly established itself as a dynamic platform championing contemporary African fashion at an international level. Launched in 2020 by Valérie Ka, former Ivorian model turned fashion entrepreneur, the initiative continues to elevate the continent’s brightest emerging talents through a powerful blend of creativity, mentorship, and global industry access.
Organized by the non-profit Share Africa, this year’s program selected six standout designers from over 300 applicants across the continent. Hailing from Nigeria, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and South Africa, the 2025 laureates were invited to Paris for a week-long immersion into the heart of the fashion capital.
Among the cohort includes:
- Cameroon: @bashibi, @fese_eva, and @sume_eloli, co-founders of @eloliworld
- Ethiopia: @hawi_bd, founder of Hawii
- Nigeria: @peteroshobor, founder of @oshobor @frankbydesign_, founder of @fruche.official
- South Africa: @samkeloboyde, founder of @boyde__official
Their Parisian journey was nothing short of transformative. From expert-led masterclasses to immersive business development training at HEC Paris, the designers were given rare access to the inner workings of the global fashion world. Visits to iconic institutions like Balenciaga and Guerlain offered firsthand insight into the craftsmanship and legacy behind luxury fashion. It all built up to a breathtaking finale: a runway show beneath the Pont Alexandre III on June 26, where the energy of African creativity met the grandeur of Paris. The evening drew a vibrant crowd of cultural tastemakers and fashion insiders, cementing Africa’s place at the heart of the global style conversation.
The program continues long after the show. Each designer enters a six-month mentorship program, often involving leading fashion professionals from France and around the world. Their work receives international exposure through dedicated media partnerships, and they are given the opportunity to present and sell their collections via digital platforms.
This year, Rolling Stone Africa was proud to witness the energy, vision, and cultural power these designers brought to the stage, redefining not only what African fashion looks like, but what it means.
