Sierra Leone designer invited to Arise Magazine Fashion Week 2011

Selita Ebanks wearing a dress by Sierra Leone's Madam Wokie's Couture

The very first Arise Magazine Fashion Week kicks off in Lagos, Nigeria next week, and runs from March 10-13. The show will feature the work of 50 top African designers that were selected by invitation only. Arise Magazine just released the schedule and, as expected, Nigerian designers dominate the list. African designers based outside the continent will also make a strong showing, with a few from the US, UK, Belgium, and France. But the panel of experts obviously didn’t just stick with established names like Nigeria’s Deola Sagoe and South Africa’s Black Coffee. Sierra Leone’s Madam Wokie’s Couture, who recently got Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks to wear one of her designs, was one of a number of hot newcomers selected to showcase their collections.

Mataano means "Twins" in Somali

Liberian Project Runway grad Korto Momolu was also invited, and Somalian-American (raised in DC!) twin sisters Mataano will roll out their designs on the final day. The event will kick off with a Business of Fashion conference in the morning, and each day will close with a live musical performance. Brit Music Award-winner Tinie Tempah, UK-based Estelle, and Nigeria’s own D’Banj are all scheduled to hit the stage. Arise Magazine has had successful runs with their Arise African Fashion Collective Shows at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week in 2009 and 2010. And last year they brought over 50 designers from 20 countries to the Arise Africa Fashion Week in Johannesburg, South Africa. They are hoping this year’s event in Lagos will become an annual staple to close out the world fashion week season. An award show at the close of Arise Magazine Fashion Week will announce the best of the African fashion designers, who will then participate in an inaugural Arise Magazine Fashion Gala in New York in September 2011.

Stay tuned to Afrofusion Lounge for updates on all the fabulous designers putting African fashion on the world map! For the full schedule of events for Arise Magazine Fashion Week, click here. Bless…