Launch of the call for applications for the 2022 edition of the fashion show dedicated to young African talents

On the occasion of the 2nd edition of the “Africa Fashion UP” contest and program, Share Africa is launching a call for applications until June 10, 2022 from young African creators and designers. Following a selection by an international jury, the 5 winners will have the honor to present several pieces of their collection during the fashion show to be held in early September at the Hotel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris.

As part of the “Africa Fashion Up” program dedicated to contemporary African fashion, Share Africa is launching a call for applications from young African creators, stylists and designers, from April 15 to June 10, 2022. At the end of a selection process, 5 laureates will have the chance to benefit from a certified management training provided by the prestigious business school HEC Paris, as well as a mentorship over a period of six months. In addition, they will be invited to present several designs at the fashion show to be held in September at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris.

The program focuses on all current fashion practices: from streetwear to haute couture, from the most experimental approaches to the most modest initiatives. For this 2nd edition, the jury includes a panel of international experts and professionals from major houses, including L’Oréal Professionnel, BALENCIAGA, Galeries Lafayette, Sisley and KARLA OTTO. The new African talents will be honored through the 5 winners who will represent the “Discoveries of the year”. The winner of this new edition will be awarded the “Designer Africa Fashion UP” 2022. All of them will benefit from a complete accompaniment: during a two-day stay in Paris, the haute couture house BALENCIAGA will open its doors to give them advice and encouragement. They will thus have the opportunity to participate in masterclasses, to visit BALENCIAGA’s fashion workshop and they will be able to meet and exchange with referents of the fashion world. In addition, the winners will have access to management training from the HEC business school and will actively participate in a six-month mentoring program. Their collection will be displayed and sold on an international website.

Emmanuel Okoro, founder of the brand Emmy Kasbit, winner of the 1st edition, who presented his summer 2022 collection during the last Lagos Fashion Week, tells us what this support brought him: “It has been really insightful. First off we started with brand positioning, followed by social media enhancement. I’ve also shared my line sheet for him to look at and advise what needs to be changed. It’s been very insightful. For the duration of the mentorship, i hope to gain more insights on how to attract international stockists and also improve the international presence of the brand. Next step: how to convert the collection into sales.”

For Valerie Ka, co-founder of the Share Africa collective and initiator of “Africa Fashion UP”: “I am delighted that the enthusiasm generated by the first edition of the fashion show-competition “Africa Fashion UP” has allowed to renew this great event dedicated to African haute couture. The aim is to highlight a pool of emerging designers, to showcase their original creations, but also to help them progress both in their know-how and their knowledge of business management. It is in this sense that the partnerships obtained this year with renowned houses, such as BALENCIAGA, Sisley and Galeries Lafayette are precious. I would like to thank these supporters and call on all designers who wish to promote contemporary African fashion to apply.”