Fashion Week Abidjan : a new momentum for west African fashion
From October 10 to 13, 2024, Abidjan will host the very first edition of Fashion Week Abidjan, an event themed “New Future.” This initiative was unveiled at a press conference held on September 19, where the organizers presented the ambitions and objectives of this unique gathering, aimed at revitalizing the fashion industry in Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa.
This Fashion Week aims to bring together key players in the fashion sector in West Africa to discuss strategic issues facing the industry. It also seeks to raise awareness among public authorities and investors about the importance of supporting and valuing this industry. According to Elie Kuame, the creator and founder of the event, “Beyond the runway shows and the discovery of our creative talents, our goal is to stimulate the economy of this sector and, above all, to drive a new vision.”
The event also intends to reposition Abidjan as the fashion capital of Africa and invigorate the local creative industry by highlighting artisanal expertise through the Born in Africa label.
A platform for diversity and excellence
Georgette Griffit, co-founder of Fashion Week Abidjan, emphasizes the importance of this event as a meeting space for talents, ideas, and cultures. She states, “It is a crossroads where talent, passion, and commitment meet to celebrate not only aesthetics but also the ideas, voices, and cultures that shape our industry.”
The goal of the platform is to become a place where diversity and exclusivity shine, bringing together local and international creators.
A commitment to health
Fashion Week Abidjan is also committed to the fight against breast cancer. A special day will be dedicated to raising awareness about this cause, with a focus on the importance of screening and current means to combat this disease.
For this first edition, Olivia Yacé, former Miss Côte d’Ivoire, has been chosen as the event’s ambassador. She praises this initiative, which she believes will be a powerful means of promoting Ivorian culture.
Thus, Fashion Week Abidjan aims to become the benchmark for West African fashion, marking a new beginning for a thriving industry.
