After a successfull take off with an Emerge Show of upcoming
designers, the third edition of 'Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam (AFWA)'
went full steam ahead with Men & Catwalk shows. The 3-day fashion
display featuring a cross-section of international, regional and local
designers, media, buyers and the public proved that color, expressive
prints and styles are not only reserved for women's fashion. That there
is a market for African men's fashion is clear as we look, for example,
at Ghana. The two showcasing designers are already well established in
their own country and region.
Fusion of Africa and Europe
The
designers of the men's fashion live in Africa and Europe. They all use
elements of both cultures and their collections are a fusion of elements
from the South and the West.
Men like to be beautiful too
Four
designers showed their collections, all with a nod to the two cultures
from Africa en Europe: Kwame Koranteng (UK/Ghana), Krachtvrouwen Oude
Westen (the Netherlands), Ethnik Mode (France/Ivory Coast), Abrantie the
Gentleman (Ghana). More designers were expected to showcase, but could
not make it in time because of procedural obstacles. The creativity in
men's fashion is booming. This is not surprising, because many African
men like to be vain.
Kwame Koranteng
The
first catwalk show offered style and color. Kwame Koranteng from
UK/Ghana showed his designs of slim fit suits with strong color
accents.
Krachtvrouwen Oude Westen
Designers
in Europe use materials that they know from their daily life in Africa,
like the cloths that they use on the heads to carry the water jug or
to carry a baby pickabag. A deep-rooted familiarity with the material
and styles makes that a designer like Amina Hussen from Krachtvrouwen
Oude Westen wants to integrate them in modern western fashion.
Ethnik Mode
Others,
like Ethnik Mode, live in Europe (i.e. Paris), but organize the
production in Africa (Ivory Coast) to stimulate African economy.
Abrantie the Gentleman
Desigers
from Africa, like Abrantie the Gentleman, have their roots in the
Ghanian textile industry and develop their professional skills towards
creating more western styles. Oheneba Yaw Boamah, choosen as The Ghanian
Designer of the Year, rocked the audience with the last show of the
Men & Catwalk Day. The Ghanian top model and face of AFWA
2016, Chantell Dapaah, opened the show, wearing a men's suit. The
audience loved it and the atmosphere changed in one of festivity
Nod to two cultures
Performances of Evita Tjon
A Ten and Unbreakable D gave a boost to these enjoyable moments as
well as an extra give-away for one guest: a painting of the allround
artist Evita Tjon A Ten, representing the beautiful faces of African
Powerwomen. Generally speaking the collections are a nod to two
cultures: Africa and Europe. Visitors and guests were representing them.
Amongst others they came from the Netherlands, France, Swiss, Turkey,
Denmark, UK, America (?), Ireland, Ghana, Gambia, Senegal, Cameroon,
Ivory Coast, Kenia, Rwanda, Somalia and Nigeria.
Program Final Show
The program can be found on the AFWA-website: http://www.
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