“This is Africa’s time. Africa is the new inspiration of Global fashion,” declared Lexy Mojo-Eyes, President of Legendary Gold Limited, keynote speaker and Chief Executive Officer of the second annual Africa Fashion Reception. Held in Abuja, Nigeria on July 3-5, 2014 this event hoped to not only earn the acclaim of the global fashion industry, but also stimulate business of African garment and textile manufactures to create new trade partnerships. This gathering of designers and fashion enthusiasts alike, was hosted in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and the World Fashion Organization. Working to promote women and youth empowerment and the elimination of poverty through professions and training in fashion, the AFR featured forty regional designers, one to represent each country. Among the talent included were up and coming, Ramou, Fatou, Makuta and Minnieratu of Keepeekee Inc. Based in Sierra Leone, the company’s founders aspired to combine their passion of design with their love of African culture. Drawing from this culture, in addition to the aesthetics of several other countries, Keepeekee wants to create “edgy, chic and unique clothes and handmade accessories that are inspired by a mixture of African, Indian and European styles.” Named for the Swahili word “Kipekee” meaning unique, Keepeekee’s use of bright colors and traditional prints is helping to bring African designers and designs to the forefront of the international fashion realm. Other brands also featured on the runway:
- Botocy (Botswana)
- Chrystalix Paris (Cameroon)
- Cindy Monteiro (Cape Verde)
- Akou (Ivory Coast)
- Nesma Helmy (Egypt)
- Urban Roots (Ethiopia)
- Lilly Alfonso (Malawi)
- Papi Valeria (Mali – Website Coming Soon!)
- Darkaoui (Morocco)
- Zizi Cardow (Nigeria)
- Inco (Rwanda)
- Diarra Bousso (Senegal)
- Diana Magesa (Tanzania)
- Fay Designs (Zambia)
- Rumbie (Zimbabwe)
Have a favorite designer listed? What do you think of Keepeekee’s designs? What are your favorite trends?
Approx. Reading Level: Grade 12/ SSS3
Words to Know:
Acclaim: (noun) enthusiastic and public praise.
Aesthetic: (noun) a set of principles underlying and guiding the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.
Aspire: (verb) to direct one’s hopes or ambitions toward achieving something.
Enthusiast: (noun) a person who is highly interested in a particular event or activity.
Forefront: (noun) the leading or most important position or place.
Image Credit: Keepeekee Mohamed Sesay
