Black Russian Doll: African Fashion Week (AFWL)

I visited African Fashion Week London last Saturday (06.08.11), first time for an Event of this nature and name.
Over the last year I have I have visited 3 events showcasing African clothes and designers, my sister also makes African print accessories you can check her out at www.mizzykojo.com. I myself will also be coming out with a line of African print home furnishings, watch this space!

Anyway back to African fashion week WHAT A PALAVA!!!
Great concept, an event that focuses on African Designers and a platform to show case their work, forget Warehouse, Topshop and Oasis.
This work is 100% authentic, the thought process behind their designs falls into the new wave Afropolitan, African infused with Western world culture.

Back to the event, nice venue Bishops Hall. However, myself and many others was unable to get into the Fashion show. You may ask why? I'm going to tell you! the capacity was for 250 people apparently..... a unconfirmed 900 tickets was allocated.
Why would 900 tickets be allocated to a 250 capacity venue???? Me and my friend were on time, however not on time for what we were greeted with, which was a long queue leading from the door to the street, which was long trust me!!!
The feedback which I received from the 17:00 Fashion show was that it was a very good Fashion show, the general consensus was that the designers needed to be making a collection which told a story, not getting together what they have made from previous occasions and showcasing it. This was feedback not what I had seen first hand. The last person to show case apparently had put a collection together which which was admired by the goers as it told a story and all the styles tied in together.
I did manage to get photo's from the day even though I did not see the show.
There were 2 other fashion shows one at 13:00, and another at 15:00, which were both as full as the 17:00.
I do think that AFWL can only get bigger and better with time, the interest that this event generated will continue and also to a wider audience.

Models from the AFWL show, show casing one of the designers.

I'm also adding photo's from the Afropolitan Event I attended in June at the V&A museum. The Fashion show was wicked and the event was a enjoyable and a real insight into African culture full stop. The V&A was focusing on African culture throughout the month of June and this was one of the events I attended on friday the 8/06/11. The Event was hosted by Ms Afropolitan.