In The News | Fashion Week(s) Calendar Edition

After almost 3 years of hybridised, delayed, or indefinitely postponed trade events, the continent's fashion calendar is starting to look a little more like it used to. Here's what to expect in the next 6 weeks

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022 FASHION WEEK DATES

Durban Fashion Fair | 21 - 24 Sept

On its final day, DFF will debut the work of its 2022 mentee class. Collections from Nigeria, Congo and South Africa will also be on display today, alongside Zamaswazi, ALC and more.

Free State Fashion Week | 29 Sept - 1 Oct

As one of the newest on the South African calendar, Free State Fashion Week has secured a big win in the announcement that Mantsho and Gert Johan Coetzee will headline its event and teach masterclasses for emerging talent. FSFW is also bringing regional manufacturers to the party with an exhibition.

SA Menswear Week & Grad Week Cape Town | 29 Sept - 1 Oct

Menswear week has gone from a one-day show to part of a large and comprehensive week of events by partnering with the Cape Town Fashion Council's Grad Week, the Allfashion sourcing fair and now the Bokeh Fashion Film festival to create what's now called 'Week of Fashion.' Alongside the sourcing expo events and fashion film festival finalist screenings each day, the line up includes a young designer competition, a dedicated womenswear day, and a show by Redbat, a Foschini group brand.

Africa Fashion Week London | 8 - 9 Oct

While there isn't much information on the collections scheduled for the fifth annual Africa Fashion Week London, the event will include runway shows, a Black History Month runway edit (October is Black History Month in the UK), a marketplace, panel talks, and an African food hall.

Hub of Africa Addis Fashion Week | 19 - 23 Oct

Other than the announced dates, there is almost no information currently available for Hub of Africa October 22. [My guess is their new website is delayed.] The event will take place a little over a week ahead of the 8th annual Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week, a textile and apparel sourcing trade show, also in Addis.

SA Fashion Week | 20 - 22 Oct

Mall of Africa will once again play host to SA Fashion Week's 5 day programme — 3 days of runway, 2 days of trade. Line up highlights include a Maxhosa Africa exhibition, the Scouting Menswear emerging designer platform, and a showcase by an Italian designer who took part in the Fashion Bridges exchange program facilitated by SAFW and the Italian consulate.

Glitz Africa Fashion Week | 21 - 23 Oct

Once again, no information currently available other than the announced dates.

Lagos Fashion Week | 26 - 29 Oct

Now 10 years old, Lagos Fashion Week returns next month with what is arguably the most international event on the continent. No word on the schedule or collections just yet, but expect them to include the finalists in the Green Access sustainability accelerator programme, a collaboration with the Bestseller Foundation. Finalists hail from Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Kenya and South Africa.

TBD: Nairobi Fashion Week & AFI Fashion Week Johannesburg

Just announced, and applications are open, but no publicly confirmed dates yet. If previous years and current timing are any indication, late October to early November is a good guess for either one.

There are definitely more than the above, so if there's anything in particular you'll be watching out for that isn't here, please share it in the comments. A reminder to forward this to anyone your network who might find it useful.

Next up: An exclusive story on We Are EGG as they open their Rosebank location, including a surprising co-financier, the criteria stocked brands need to meet, the why behind the local-global model, the difference between the 2 locations and future plans.