Africa Fashion Up Maintains Its Momentum And Confirms Its Status in Paris
Created in 2021 by Valérie Ka, Africa Fashion Up is the first big event dedicated to contemporary African fashion in Paris. The program aims to help the winners build a fashion brand in the long term. In addition, they will have access to business training at the prestigious HEC Paris management school, and will be assisted by Balenciaga for 4 months as part of a mentoring program. Finally, they will have the opportunity to display their work and sell their collection on an international online sales site. This year, South African-born Rich Mnisi won the Best Designer 2024 award, thanks to his avant-garde vision of his Tsonga heritage, which he tries to reconnect with. With a mix of bright colors, cultural inspirations and tributes to the LGBTQIA+ community, Rich Mnisi plays with proportions and shapes to create a wardrobe that stands out.
During the presentation on June 26th, which we were delighted to see in the middle of the Fashion Week, we met Valérie Ka, Ludivine Pont, Ann Caroline Prazan, Elisabeth Moreno, Yann Arthus Bertrand, Joey Starr, Vegedream, dressed by Ekantik, one of this year’s creators, Samuel Le Bihan and many others.
Photos: Ayka Lux
