In pictures: Africa Fashion Week London 2013
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Established and emerging designers from Africa and the African diaspora have been showcasing their work during the Africa Fashion Week London 2013. Photos: Manuel Toledo, BBC Africa
According to the organisers, their goal is both to celebrate London’s diversity and to promote Africa’s culture through fashion. This model is showing a design by LollyAde.
“There is a lot of African talent on the continent and also in the diaspora but they don’t always have the financial back-up, they don’t always have the means to turn their passion into a business”, Sinem Bilen-Onabanjo, from the organising team, told BBC Africa.
The show offers a platform for the designers to introduce their work to international media and buyers.
A self-taught designer who surprised many with the quality of her work was Tumisola Ladega (left), of Nigerian descent. She is only 14 years old.
“I started designing many years ago. My designs were quite simple and they’ve definitively progressed since then and got more professional and more edgy,” Ms Ladega told the BBC.
Angolan Agata Reis (right), who moved to London as a child, said her recent works are inspired by youth culture in the British capital, including afro-house music, and by political issues, such as the Arab Spring.
Jennifer Onah (left), the designer behind the London luxury label Ferona, acknowledges her African heritage but her works also show the influence of European fashion.
This is the third Africa Fashion Week - it has been taking place at the Old Truman Brewery in London’s Brick Lane.
Many members of the audience have been using tablets and mobile phones to capture their favourite moments.
Besides the catwalks, there have been many other activities, such as exhibitions of African designs, jewellery and shoes.
The designers hope that their participation will bring their work closer to the African audiences back on the continent and will open the doors to big fashion shows in countries such as South Africa. This design is by Huda Dagnew.