African fashion frenzy in Berlin
They are fashionably unconventional. African designers are presenting collections in Berlin that combine the classically chic with the traditionally African.
Colorfully unconventional
Nigerian designer Samson Soboye mixes traditional African wax prints and perfect cuts in both his men’s and womenswear collections. A graduate of Central St. Martins School in London, he worked for Vogue among other publications before opening his own shop in the UK capital in 2002. The Berlin Fashion Week is his first European show.
From Lagos to Berlin
A model from Soboye’s 2014 collection in Berlin. Soboye menswear was launched during the Lagos Fashion Week last year. The designer lives and works in London.
Fashion homeward bound
Nana K Brenu was invited by African Fashion Day to showcase his brand '1981' at the Berlin Fashion Week. Glamorous and modern, simple and geometrical, Brenu’s designs are inspired by the new generation of African women who have lived abroad and are now going back to Africa. Born in Ghana, Brenu is based in Milan and has recently opened his first shop in Accra.
Xhosa tradition
The knitwear from MaXhosa is inspired by the traditional values of the Xhosa people from South Africa. Designer Laduma Ngxokolo combines Xhosa aesthetics with modern patterns and fine materials, such as merino wool and mohair. Laduma lives and works in Cape Town and his entire collection is produced in South Africa.
International recognition
Laduma Ngxokolo is one of the most talented young designers of his generation. He won the International Design Award in London in 2010. His creations have been showcased in the UK, France, South Africa and for the first time this year in Berlin. The German capital is growing as one of the major fashion platforms along with New York, London and Paris.
Premium fashion
The Premium Fashion Trade Show takes place in parallel with the Berlin Fashion Week. Brands and designers from all over the world present their collections to international buyers and the press. For the first time this year, African designers are represented in this event which offers them a way to expand their network and markets internationally.
Vintage African
Namibian designer Loux Gebhardt presents part of his luxurious and eccentric collection at the Premium Fashion Exhibition. His brand 'Loux the Vintage Guru' combines bespoke men’s fashion with African prints. Gebhardt won the 2014 'Best Designer Of The Year' prize in neighboring Ghana and was invited by the African Fashion Day organizers to introduce his work to the German market.
'One language'
Bright colors and unconventional patterns are the trademark of 'Loux the Vintage Guru.' Here the detail of a suit jacket from his new collection called 'One Language,' in reference to fashion as an element of unity in a global world.
Africa inspires
European designers are also inspired by African culture. The Austrian Lena Hoscheck, well known in the fashion scene, presented a new collection with her usual sophisticated pin-up style, almost entirely designed with African fabrics.