Africa Fashion Up: return of the fashion show on July 7 at Quai Branly

For its third edition, Africa Fashion Up hold its fashion show on Friday, July 7, 2023 in the gardens of the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac. At the end of a week’s immersion behind the scenes of Paris fashion, the five winners will showcase several creations and the “Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023” will be revealed.

This year, the fashion show highlighting the new generation of designers from Africa and its diasporas will be open to the general public. Over 500 participants are expected to attend, in the exceptional setting of the gardens of the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac. Set by visual artist Junior Fritz Jacquet, the AFUP show is at the crossroads of fashion and entertainment, while promoting the designers’ committed, eco-responsible approach. BALENCIAGA, Galeries Lafayette and HEC Paris are partners in this edition. On the media side, Brune Magazine, Trace, France Médias Monde and 35°Nord are also supporting this event.

Selected on the basis of their creativity, career path, inspirations and the sustainable and social dimension of their brand, the five 2023 winners are:

• Aristide Loua, Ivorian designer, for Kente Gentlemen;
• Yonael Marga, Ethiopian designer, for Yonael Marga;
• Ibrahim Taju, Nigerian designer, for TJWHO;
• Shamyra Moodley, South African designer, for Laaniraani; ● Sjafaru Larry, Ghanaian designer, for Larry Jay.

The show will be the culmination of a week of training and coaching. The designers will have the opportunity to take part in masterclasses run by BALENCIAGA, visit major fashion labels such as Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, and attend workshops. At the same time, they can take part in management courses at HEC Paris. They will also receive personalized support from BALENCIAGA as part of an extended mentoring program. 

“The Africa Fashion Up show is a key stage in the winners’ Paris adventure. It comes after a week of valuable support designed to open new doors to success,” says Valérie Ka, the international model behind the Africa Fashion Up show program. “Africa Fashion Up and the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac embody our ambition to unite African fashion and the arts, creating a bridge where cultures celebrate their diversity. A wonderful collaboration combining travel, discovery and dialogue between tradition and modernity.”

The announcement of the overall winner, who will be awarded the “Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023” prize, will bring this sequence to a close before giving way to a gala dinner in the presence of eminent guests. 

Find out more about Africa Fashion Up and book your place at the show: