African Fashion Week Vancouver

African Fashion Week Vancouver (AFWV) set the stage for bold prints, vibrant colours and custom-made clothing on March 22, 2025. This annual showcase celebrated designers, models, and artists, reminding us of the rich African heritage. The Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre became a runway that displayed creativity, unity, identity and self-expression.

Founder of AFWV, Yao Agoeyovo was asked about what AFWV meant to him. Yao shared how the event brings the community together to celebrate art, culture, and innovation. It is also a movement that highlights the vibrant fashion and African representation in Western Canada. “People are showing up, they are presenting extraordinary talent. The audience is loving it; the community is loving it.” With the increased support and attendance of AFWV over the years, Yao hopes to see the event grow to greater heights.

Vanessa Egharevba, Model Coordinator, shared about the significance of the fashion event. “There are actually diverse creatives in Vancouver. This is a way for everyone to come together and showcase their talents.” She hopes that the community in Vancouver continues to show support and grow over the years. The planning of AFWV takes about a year of work. Vanessa wants to see more designers from across Canada and also invitees from the continent of Africa.

Jason Bempong, designer of Sleepless Mindz, talked about his source of inspiration: “My upbringing with Ugandan fabrics, church, and 90’s anime.” His advice to designers was to embrace authenticity and get inspiration from your heart. He emphasized not to fall into the pressure of following trends. It is better to adapt a trend to your style.

Model and attendee, Savanna, came to support her husband. He was part of the runway models. When asked about what she enjoyed most, she said, “It’s been a great time seeing different countries of Africa come together and celebrating their culture.” Such representation in the city of Vancouver empowers individuals to explore self-expression through clothing, creativity, and culture.

There were also performances by Elegancia Cubana, Femi Jr, Jason Bempong and Tony Ramirez; and BBoy Fish Feat Afro Girl. A big shoutout to the MC, Kush Kuria, for putting on a great show. A big thanks to the organisers and volunteers of AFWV for a lovely event.

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Katshiabala House
By Nyota Munga

Maison Katshiabala is a luxury clothing brand deeply rooted in Congolese culture. It is a fusion of modern intricacy with the rich heritage of La Sape, a Congolese movement that highlights elegance. KB House is an exemplar that style goes beyond occasional dressing. Women can express their unique identities through fashion, embodied with elegance, confidence, and power.

Kafui Design
By Kafui Tchibozo

Honouring traditional craftsmanship, Kafui Design exemplifies a modern design where conservatism integrates with elegance. This brand was born in Togo and is now based in Surrey. The sophisticated designs feature classic cuts, rich fabrics, and intricate detailing that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the homeland.

Pattern Nation
By Cyd Eva, Costa Vesta & Brianna Klassen

Handmade and ungendered street wear, accessories and interactive art installations called blobs. Their current work takes place on the stolen, unceded and traditional territories of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people (Kwikwetlem) in Coquitlam, BC, and they have previously worked and lived in Vancouver, Canada (all), Durban and Cape Town, South Africa (Cyd & Costa) and Bangalore, India (Bri).

Sleepless Mindz
By Jason Bempong

A movement that merges fashion and visual art, inspiring the next generation of dreamers. It started from the belief that ambition goes hand in hand with creativity. This brand empowers those who refuse to settle for ordinary, reiterating that dreams are achievable as long as they show up to the relentless pursuit of their vision.

SpiralAloe
By Mamoruti Mabathoana

SpiralAloe was founded by Mamoruti Mabathoana. She was inspired by self-expression and using fashion as a tool for empowerment. Mamoruti is a self-taught designer. Her passion for sewing is in her pieces. Her latest collection, Kobo, is dedicated to outstanding quality and attention to detail. It is a blend of boldness and pushing boundaries that elevate fashion.

Beaded Body
By Hana Woldeyes

A jewellery business that began in 2020. Hana Woldeyes learned how to make jewellery and explored her creative side. Seeing the joy on people’s faces as they wear her jewellery is a testament to her skills and innovation.

Aya Roots
By Linda Sey

Linda Sey was born in Naples, Italy, to Ghanaian parents. Linda leaned into her creative side and completed fashion school. Following the end of her studies, Linda worked for Armani and later moved to the fashion capital, London.

Aya Roots was founded in 2020 after a trip to Ghana. Linda wanted to make an impact as an African designer and explored different Ghanaian cultures. “Aya” in the Akan language of Ghana means fern. It is a leaf that survives harsh environments, representing resilience and strength.

Jambo Boutique
By Nancy Kazumba

Jambo Boutique was founded in 2020 by Nancy Kazumba to support women who still face challenges with shopping and styling themselves. The boutique began as a small, home-based venture, mirroring Nancy’s passion for fashion, attending to women’s needs, and empowering women to feel confident and beautiful with affordable styling. As of May 2025, Jambo Boutique launched a physical store location in Vancouver.