The African Style Designers Award (AFDA) has introduced its eighth version, themed “Style Bespoke Expertise,” set to happen on November 16, 2025, at The Podium, Lekki, Lagos.
This premier style showcase will deliver collectively a few of Africa’s most proficient designers, fashions, and business leaders in a vibrant celebration of the continent’s wealthy cultural heritage and artistic innovation.
Constructing on seven profitable years of elevating African style on the worldwide stage, AFDA 2025 guarantees to be its most spectacular version but. This 12 months’s occasion will highlight bespoke designs that emphasize the artistry of African tailoring and customization, providing an immersive expertise that blends custom with modernity.
The occasion is endorsed by the Lagos State Authorities Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Tradition—highlighting its significance to Nigeria’s artistic financial system. Main company sponsors comparable to Johnnie Walker, Darling Hair Nigeria, Da’ Circles, MySogi Advertisements, and Loom Rooms are partnering with AFDA, underscoring the rising confidence within the industrial potential of African style.
Attendees can sit up for a wealthy program that features unique designer showcases that includes Africa’s high style skills, reside mannequin shows of cutting-edge designs, a prestigious awards ceremony honoring excellence in style design and modeling, in addition to high-level networking alternatives with style executives, monetary establishments, and authorities stakeholders. The occasion will even characteristic reside cultural leisure and a dynamic style exhibition highlighting present tendencies and conventional craftsmanship.
Extra than simply an awards ceremony, AFDA capabilities as a complete enterprise platform. It’s designed to raise rising style expertise throughout Africa, foster connections with worldwide patrons and buyers, facilitate partnerships with monetary establishments, and strengthen collaboration between style entrepreneurs and authorities assist packages. By way of these efforts, AFDA continues to advertise African style on the worldwide stage.
The thrill surrounding this 12 months’s version is palpable. On September 20, 2025, AFDA held its mannequin casting at The Match Health Studio in Lekki, drawing over 500 aspiring fashions, the most important turnout within the award’s historical past.
Nominees for this 12 months’s awards might be formally introduced on Monday, September 29, 2025, spotlighting essentially the most promising designers and innovators shaping the way forward for African style.
“We’re thrilled to current the Style Bespoke Expertise at The Podium, Lekki,” mentioned King Dasilva Olasunkanmi, AFDA Organizer. “This theme celebrates the distinctive artistry of African tailoring and customization. AFDA 2025 will showcase not simply lovely clothes, however the tales, traditions, and improvements that make African style a world power.”
Now in its eighth 12 months, the African Style Designers Award stands as Africa’s main style recognition platform. It has persistently championed the continent’s designers, providing very important publicity, enterprise alternatives, and business connections which have helped launch quite a few profitable style careers throughout Africa.
