Press Release: Africa Fashion Cultural Week

Stichting Africa Fashion Museum (AFM) is delighted to release the recap of this year’s Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam with a busy schedule of designer catwalks, industry talks, vendors shopping and consumer experiences.

Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam presented designer's AW19 collections from House of ZIZA, who bring their ‘No Frills’ fully sustainable, see-now-buy-now collection directly from the Gambia. Abdul Aziz Lowe AKA ‘Ziza’ is a renowned Gambian Fashion Designer and Stylist under the brand formerly called Ziza Creations now newly branded ZIZA who has showcased his designs for high-end fashion shows throughout Africa. Ziza’s career in fashion began at a tender age inspired by his mother who is a known stylist herself. Ziza comes from a difficult and disenfranchised background whereby he struggled, became very persistent in his efforts to succeed, he learned to never stop pursuing his dreams in the world of fashion and creative arts.

After being thrown into the fashion styling world, Ziza managed to establish himself as the go-to stylist for the modern generation in African Fashion Design.

Ziza took up social responsibility as a youngster, who grew up with The Gambia Red Cross Society where he learned and developed himself in various artistic fields which added to his taste of inspiration and artistry in a stylish and unique way.

His experience ranges from being scouted as a model, actor, arts & Craft artist, TV advertiser and designer. He featured in the movie “Wrong Identity” with well-known Nigerian Nollywood Superstars under the production by T-Plus. Headquartered in Kololi, The Gambia, Ziza has displayed his artistry in many fashion shows including Miss Banjul in 2000/2010.

Sales Contact Details

Abdul Aziz
Tel: +220 991 0960 ceo@mbeconsulting.net
https://www.instagram.com/zizacreation

Naa Duku

Naa Duku is an empowerment and lifestyle brand established in 2016 which aims to bring women together in order to equip them with the art of styling and wearing African inspired headwraps in classy and comfy styles.
The brand specifically focuses on creating cultural awareness of African heritage through the wearing of Duku’s, empowering women to utilize their creativity in developing stylish headwraps and creating a space for women to have a deeper connection and build community with other women.

Based in The Netherlands, Amsterdam with a global reach and African roots, the brand provides headwrap styling workshops both in groups and individual 1:1
settings, to women who would like to connect to their African
heritage, in style, comfort, class within a community of women.

Sales Contact Details

Stéphanie Quaye
Tel: +31615837431
info@naaduku.com
http://www.naaduku.com

METAKAY

Kyere Kwaku Awiti is a talented young man who does anything he loves with passion. He’s an alumni from KNUST in Ghana, he likes to swim, watch movies, hang out at eateries, surf the internet, design clothes, likes to make new friends especially with creative people because he believes that when many creative people get together in one place, extraordinary things happen. It’s something he never gets tired of doing.

No pain, no gain has been his philosophy ever since he entered adolescent stage. It’s through pain that we sometimes find our purpose and appreciate the joy that follows afterwards. Nelson Mandela is his role model as he explains Kwaku’s philosophy perfectly, but when it comes to fashion he looks up to Karl Lagerfeld.

His values in life are discipline, creativity and honesty.

What keeps him motivated is his love and passion in anything he does. We’re humans. Yes! You’ll break down once a while. But the time you take to bounce back determines how passionate you are about it. He believes everything is possible in fashion but construction comes with wisdom.

Sales Contact Details

Kyere Kwaku
Tel: +233262782198
kaykyere@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/metakay

Zyllva Jewelery

Millie, is the artist and creator of Zyllva.

I have always enjoyed creating and I have been designing exotic jewelry since 2009. Nature has so many natural and exotic components available and the challenge of combining these with an endless variety of colors, shapes, and textures into a single harmonious design is something for which I have developed a passion.

I have always found pleasure in even the smallest things and I think this excitement and natural curiosity about the beautiful nature around me in the world is what triggers my desire to create. I love creativity which can be seen in my earthly jewelry designs. The guide line behind
Zyllva is “the jewel with a Vision, Cause I believe every unique person

has to find the jewel within. and this is exactly what I strive to attain with each piece of jewelry I make. I think people can use more inspiration and beauty in their lives to express their own beauty even more.

Quote; it’s not the jewel that makes you shine but it's you that makes the jewel complete. Zyllva Jewelry with a vision

Sales Contact Details
http://pearlevent.nl/zyllva-jewelry/

VEP
Pascaline Tambe, who designs for the Parisian house Van Eyong, took advantage of the appointment to show some of her latest creations, among which the African cape, a mixture of Japanese style with African fabrics and colors, stood out.

For Tambe, the best of the African bosses is that they do not seek to constrict the woman's body, but to give her "freedom", so that with them "she can dress all day without feeling uncomfortable or limited".

Sales Contact Details

Ruth Epousi
Tel: +33 7 53 18 34 95
vaneyongparis@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/VEAafricandesignes/

Michi Knitwear Designer

Michele Walden Mcphee from Queens, NY, specializes in knitwear for woman, creating “Knits to Fit”, that complement the full figure or slight frame, thus making a unique statement for all women. Using carefully selected yarns that vary from silks to rayon, wool to linen, and run the gamut of colors, these pieces can also be considered wearable art for women who are fashion forward, confident, creative and seeking to be stylish.

However, “Growing up, she never contemplated on being a knitwear designer or even a fashion designer. Michele began knitting as a child and it was something she enjoyed doing as a hobby. Michele entered a Designer’s Competition while living in Boston with her hand knits and won. That was around the time her Grandfather died, who fondly called her Miche and as a tribute to him, her designer label became Michi. Walden Mcphee eventually went to FIT’s Continuing Ed Program to learn the knitting machine, but has no formal fashion designer education.”

Michi Knitwear brings a new contemporary spin to a classic category. Fashion connoisseurs have been raving about these unique knitwear designs from coast to coast. Michi also lends her creations to community organizations

Michi Knitwear’s goal is to change the perception of Knitwear. She doesn’t create your grandmas knits, but “constructs modern knitwear” that is funky, sophisticated, sexy and chic. Whether it’s a customized one-of-a-kind or limited edition piece, Michi Knitwear is the perfect on the go, all season fashion collection.

Sales Contact Details

Tel: +1 (718) 465-2336
http://www.michiknitwear.com
https://www.instagram.com/michiknits

Kevin Leslie Collection

The main man behind the brand KEVIN LESLIE was born on the 10th August 1974 to a father who was a tailor. He therefore learned to the artistic and aesthetic value and appreciation for fashion. The brand KEVIN LESLIE was conceived in 2004 out of creativity. As he always says, ''Creativity is a drug that I can not live without. I started the actual production to build my capacity in 2009.

I therefore deem it a great honour to be part of the African fashion week so that it will project, market and sell the brand KEVIN LESLIE.

Sales Contact Details

Zenna Hart
Tel: +31614962006
info@kl-collections.com
http://www.kl-collections.com

This season we introduce an exciting new partnership with Maureen Riley Styling http://www.maureenriley.nl and Feathers and Lashes Beauty Academy. Founder of Feathers & Lashes is Sumeya Hamie. This talented and passionate makeup artist knows all there is to know about the beauty industry. She loves to pass on her knowledge to beauty fans alike. She created the Makeup Academy where new talents develop their skills. Next to that, she also loves doing different makeup projects. Together with the Feathers & Lashes team, she comes up with the most amazing looks for special moments. http://feathersandlashes.nl/make-up-academy/

Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam returns with a diverse range of subject matters and industry experts exhibition with designers telling the story of their life through their garments. Mr. Africa International, Model, activist and body positive ambassador, Alex Gede discusses body positivity and image in the fashion industry and self-care in the digital age. Alex was also the host to close the eventful week.

Some of the runway models will be joining the Fashion's week modelling agency in october to discuss representation and accountability in fashion, exploring topics in collaboration with Maureen Riley Styling such as the importance of visual diversity and diversity behind the scenes. One-stop style resource, Who What Wear and their beauty sister site Maureen Riley will be joined by industry friends and familiar fashion professionals.

Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam welcomes next season 900 people over three days offering the ultimate fashion experience to visitors. The event invites visitors to experience the atmosphere of Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam in its official venue and gain an insight into the African fashion industry. It also gives designer brands the opportunity to meet and build direct relationships with new consumers and retailers

Africa Fashion Week Amsterdam opens its doors next year Friday 23 August until Saturday 24th August at De Koning, Isolatoren 29, 1014AS Amsterdam

Tickets are now available online: for full details visit http://www.afcwonline.com

''For an event of such magnitude of various tangible cultural heritage, It’s important to be at a venue where you are celebrated and not where you are tolerated''