Arise Africa Fashion Week: Well, it's about TIME!

We're making moves!! Last year - we got the first ever all-black issue of Italian Vogue. This January - America voted in it's first-ever African-American President. And NOW, Africa has its own Fashion Week! Although those 3 things are definitely not on the same scale of importance (Obama trumps them all), this new wave of recognition for the black community in all aspects of pop culture gets me excited. Arise Africa Fashion Week took place last month from June 12th - June 19th. The organization responsible for the event is African Fashion International in conjuction with Arise Magazine.

Arise is the first global magazine dedicated to achievements in African fashion, music, culture and politics. I didn't even know it existed until today!


While the Africa Fashion Week culminated in Johannesburg, South Africa, the shows took place in all different African countries that week including: Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethipia, Mozambique, and many more. This year's Africa Fashion Week marked the inaugural beginning of an annual event which will feature African designers from around the Continent, showcasing their talent:

Love the vibrant colors on this peice.

Yellow & floor-length: such a cool combination

This looks so well-crafted...like it took months to make

I guarantee you nobody will be walking into the ball with this dress on...so unique. Look at those sleeves!

Needless to say, I'm just ecstatic about Africa Fashion Week. ESPECIALLY considering how so many of today's designers take their inspiration, in terms of shapes and concepts as well as prints and patterns, from the Motherland. I only hope that one day I, too,will have the opportunity to sit front row and center at one of these amazing shows! Click here to find out more about Africa Fashion Week and Arise Magazine