OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
TORONTO,
ON (August 9, 2013) - Get ready to indulge in African inspired fashion at
its highest level. For the first time ever, the beautiful city of Toronto will
be stormed by a 4 day mainstream event that defies local and international
fashion from an African perspective. African Fashion Week Toronto (AFWT) will
be taking place at the Spoke Club and Japanese Canadian Cultural Center on August 15, 2013 to August 18, 2013.
With a purpose to celebrate African culture and heritage,
AFWT has designed a series of events to provide a platform for African inspired
fashion innovators from all nationalities. The African
population is one of the largest and fastest growing demographics in Canada
especially within Ontario.
The influence of African culture (fashion, art, music and
food) can be seen in many mainstream brands.
Toronto is the natural next step in this progression, given the growing
popularity of African focused festivals in the heart of this city.
The confirmed schedule for this event will include but not limited
to:
• Fabulous runway shows
• Student designer competitions
• Hands-on workshops
• Informative fashion seminars
• Fanciful exhibits
• Festive meet-n-greet (networking) soirees
African Fashion Week Toronto will commence with a private
welcome cocktail soiree on Thursday, August 15th inside the Spoke Club
(600 King Street West, Toronto) followed by a student fashion designer
competition inside the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (6 Garamond Court,
Toronto) on Friday, August 16th starting at 3pm. The competition will feature student
designers from Canada and other parts of the world including:
Friday, August 16th
AFRICOUTURE ------------------------------------------------
(ZAMBIA)
A.M.A DESIGNS
--------------------------------------------- (TORONTO)
DIANA STEPHANIE GADIE
----------------------------- (MONTREAL)
KIESHA BANKS -------------------------------------------(KITCHENER)
LAMIDE TOGUN -------------------------------------------(MANITOBA)
LATINA RICHARDSON ----------------------------------(CLEVELAND)
LORRAINE FUSIRE ----------------------------------------(ZIMBABWE)
NANA BEDIAKI ----------------------------------------------
(TORONTO)
TRISHA OLUTOSION ----------------------------------------(TORONTO)
VAHIRANA MARCEHAL ------------------------------------
(TORONTO)
ZEENA KAY ----------------------------------------------------(TORONTO)
NIONEKELY -----------------------------------------------------(CHICAGO)
THELMA LIMBA -----------------------------------------------(TORONTO)
PAMELA MSSHGAN -----------------------------------------(ZIMBABWE)
ANNA WHITE --------------------------------(TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO)
FANNY NGANTCHEU
----------------------------------------- (TORONTO)
After the students have displayed their amazing talents,
the Traditional & Tribal fashion showcase will commence at 7pm. At this
event the audience will be entertained with authentic African fashion and
culture.
Saturday, August 17th and Sunday,
August 18th inside the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre will feature a series
of high fashion runway showcases by 20 African inspired designers from around
the world. The weekend will also include a buyers and vendors market filled
with arts, crafts, fashion and many more for the whole family to enjoy.
One of the highlights of Saturday,
August 17th will be the “Fashion Africa Seminar” which will feature
6 amazing panelists discussing the business and future of the African fashion industry.
The lineup of emerging and
established African influenced designers will include:
Saturday, August 17th
CATHY KAY -------------------------------------
(MALAWI/FINLAND)
VICKY MUZADI -------------------------------------
(ANGOLA/PARIS)
ANJOREEN COUTURE ---------------------------------------(NIGERIA)
STEPHANIE OWUSU ANSAH
---------------------------- (TORONTO)
MEMA XCLUSIVE ---------------------------------------------
(LIBERIA)
DEYZION -------------------------------------------------------(UGANDA)
EVA GABARRA ----------------------------------------------------
(PARIS)
ADEBAYO JONES ----------------------------------------------
(LONDON)
KAELA KAY --------------------------------------------------- (TORONTO)
Sunday, August 18th
MODAHNIK -----------------------------------------------------
(USA)
CHINEDESIGN ------------------------------------------
(TORONTO)
ELDIMAA --------------------------------------------------
(LONDON)
BOHO DESIGN --------------------------------------------------
(USA)
MS RAY COUTURE ---------------------------------
(AMSTERDAM)
BENI BOO ------------------------------------------------
(TORONTO)
BELYA -----------------------------------------------------
(SENEGAL)
SHAKAD -------------------------------------------------
(BARBADOS)
BLACK TRASH -----------------------------------------(BOTSWANA)
WINNER OF STUDENT DESIGNER CONTEST ------------(T.B.A)
The fashion week will conclude with a closing celebration at the
Spoke Club. This event and all other events for Fashion Week will be open to
the public, so we extend our invitation to the entire fashion and media
communities of Toronto and its surrounding cities.
For more
information on African Fashion Week Toronto 2013, please visit:
Contact Information:
AFWT
Organizers
647.622.8973
/ 647.608.2523
