Africa’s top designers bought out the glam and glitz for Day One of African Fashion International Week 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Kiki Clothing, Maki Oh, Christie Brown, Mataano, Gloria Wavamunno, Duaba Serwa, Tart, Stefania Morland, Kluk CGDT, Alexander Koutny and Marianne Fassler all presented their stunning Spring/Summer 2012 collections! I spotted a few notable Black models on the runway such as Tanzania’s Millen Magese and Kenya’s Ajuma Nasenyana. Here are my favorite looks from each designer that did their runway presenation on day one of African Fashion International Week 2011.
Kiki Clothing
Kiki Clothing, a celebrity favorite to actress Nicole Ari Parker, provided a rich nod to the designer’s (Titi Ademola) Nigerian/Ghanaian heritage. Prints and extravagant jewelry were key style elements for her latest collection.
Maki Oh
Nigeria’s rising fashion label Maki Oh stayed true to its core textured, layered aesthetic of mixing bold body-conscious, transparent cuts with fitting silhouettes.
Christie Brown
Opulent statement neckpieces and exquiste handcrafted designs were dominant in Christie Brown’s new runway presentation.
Mataano
Mataano, found by Somali twins; Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim was the event’s opening catwalk runway presentation. The collection hosted vibrant prints and elegant solids for the fashion-forward woman on the go. Plenty of swimwear were incorporated into the flirty, daytime looks. This collection is casual, flirty and fun – a perfect wardrobe addition for summertime!
Gloria Wavamunno
Ugandan designer launched her eponymous label in 2009 which highlights bespoke blazers and tailored dresses. This collection offered flowy skirts, top and pants offset with printed graphics and jeweled accents.
Duaba Serwa
Ghanaian jewelry designer Nelly Hagan Aboagye proved why she’s the coveted winner of the 2011 Young Creative Entrepreneur fashion awards at her ravishing AFI presentation. We love that avant garde white dress!
Tart
Tart’s Cari Stephenson gave its contemporary female consumers different unforgettable ways of wearing the classic little black dress! Our favorite is her spin on the tuxedo dress.
Stefania Morland
Cape Town’s Stefania Morland was definitely inspired by bridal fashion for her collection. She provided chic black and white looks. For her finale, she closed her show with a white 1950s-inspired dress with a sleek black belt and a over-the-top veil and dazzling tiara. Stefania blogged about her new collection and she described it as “…collaboration of elegance, rich textured fabrics, focusing on the elements of design with a lot of emphasis on the fabrics and detailing.” We completely agree!
Kluk CGDT
Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit gave us the glitz and glam at AFI 2011. Each look left us going, WOW! Our favorite look is the white and yelow ballon-sleeved dress. African lace has never looked more stunning!
Alexander Koutny
Johannesburg’s Alexander Koutny produced intricately-designed black pop with sharp tailoring and a splash of white and grey.
Marianne Fassler
Big ruffles, leopard prints, and rich African textiles are just a few of South African designer Marianne Fassler’s eye-catching safari-inspired designs she presented at AFI 2011.
What are your favorite looks from Africa Fashion Week 2011 day 1?
photo credits: Simon Deiner/AFI
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