LAGOS, Nov. 16 (AGCNewsNet) – Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) and Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) have celebrated a decade and 14 years, respectively, of promoting African fashion creatives and preserving cultural heritage through innovative platforms that blend traditional artistry with modern design.

Since its launch in 2011, the platform has showcased over 3,000 African brands globally, fostering entrepreneurship and skills development, said founder Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi during the milestone event.

“For 10 and 14 years, AFWN and AFWL have fostered the growth of African fashion creatives. We believe creativity requires supportive platforms,” said Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi.

She highlighted initiatives like the Adire Textile Training and Production Hub, which has been instrumental in educating global audiences about African textiles while preserving cultural heritage.

Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi emphasized the platform's mission to empower creatives for financial sustainability, job creation, and poverty alleviation.

“Our primary vision is to empower fashion creatives for financial sustainability, create jobs through creativity, generate wealth, alleviate poverty, and educate through the creative sector,” she said.

She added that with Africa needing 450 million jobs by 2030, a shift from traditional education to future-focused skills training is imperative.

The fashion industry offers vast opportunities across its value chain, benefiting tailors, photographers, content creators, makeup artists, show producers, and technical producers, the founder noted.

“Beyond showcasing, we educate global audiences about African fashion and preserve cultural heritage in textiles,” she said, reiterating the platform’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of the creative industry.