My African Fashion Week Diary

Last weekend, I stumbled upon a truly exciting event I had never heard of before: African Fashion Week. I was lucky enough to attend all three days, and now I’m here to share my experience.

Day 1

Fashion Week kicked off on Thursday, August 28, with the Blagik pop-up store in downtown Montreal. I arrived at 5 p.m. and was welcomed with a glass of champagne. The boutique, though small, was bursting with colorful clothes and accessories designed by African creators. A DJ kept the energy alive while guests enjoyed a buffet of appetizers and fresh fruit. I grabbed a few fried shrimp while chatting with other attendees.

The atmosphere was elegant, almost wedding-like. Guests came dressed in long gowns, traditional attire, and high heels. For a moment, I forgot I was at a pop-up in Montreal; it felt like I’d stepped into a glamorous African celebration.

Eventually, I got the chance to speak with the man behind it all: Gilles Wouanko, organizer of Fashion Week and owner of the boutique. Originally from Cameroon, Wouanko has been active in fashion for years. He first launched African Fashion Week in Edmonton after moving there in 2011. Following several successful editions, he brought it to Montreal in 2018, where it has since become an end-of-summer tradition.

Curious, I asked him, “Is this event specifically for Africans, or can anyone attend?”

“Everyone is welcome,” he explained. “We showcase designers from and outside of the continent, but you don’t have to be of African descent to enjoy it.”

As a North African, I followed up: “When you say ‘African Fashion Week,’ does that include North Africans, or is it focused mainly on sub-Saharan heritage?”

“Yes, it includes North Africa,” he confirmed. “In fact, we even have a collection from an Algerian designer here in the store, and she’ll be presenting during the fashion show.”

He emphasized his vision of inclusivity, hoping to expand African Fashion Week to even more Canadian cities in the future.

Day 2

Friday brought a different vibe. At a downtown hotel, I was greeted by large promotional posters before stepping into a small room filled with clothing racks, a DJ booth, and a bar. I grabbed a mango juice and mingled until we were invited to the patio for a panel discussion on business and entrepreneurship.

Moderated by Wouanko, the panel featured Tamara Chanoine, Kerwins St-Jean, and Doro Saiz. The discussion lasted nearly an hour, but a few quotes stuck with me:

Tamara Chanoine (Director of Black Entrepreneurs at Futurpreneur): “What problem am I trying to solve by creating a business?”

Kerwins St-Jean (Townshippers Association, Young Nelson Mandela Award, Charles III Medal): “You are already thriving by breaking your own records, by doing something different, by having fun and by being confident.”

Doro Saiz (Creative Director of Smartegy, graphic designer, photographer): “There’s no bad idea in entrepreneurship. There’s always a way to do something, to add something different to society.”

The evening wrapped up around 8:30 p.m., and I left inspired, notebook full of ideas.

Photo: Pphotonewb

Photo: Pphotonewb

Photo: Pphotonewb

Day 3

Saturday night was the long-awaited fashion show at Hotel Zero. I arrived at 7:10 p.m., nervous that I was late, but the event started later than expected due to technical issues. The runway finally lit up around 8:30 p.m.

The show opened with Sunbeams, a women-owned accessories and cosmetics brand committed to organic, ethical, vegan, and cruelty-free products. Next came Khadyz, a Burkinabé-Ivorian-Beninese-Canadian brand presenting long dresses inspired by traditional African motifs.

Then AulPeople, a French-Algerian-Canadian label, showcased a mix of colorful cocktail dresses, evening gowns, and streetwear. Following them was Monsieurestnoir, with a striking leather collection.

Closing the evening was Isio Clothing, a Canadian-Nigerian-Emirati brand blending African and Middle Eastern traditions with modern Western elegance. Their collection was my personal favorite.

Unfortunately, just after Isio’s showcase, Mr. Wouanko announced the event had to end earlier than planned. I stayed a little while longer to take photos and say goodbye before heading out around 9:50 p.m.

Final Thoughts

Despite the early ending, Fashion Week was a success. I met wonderful people, learned new insights on business and fashion, and admired breathtaking dresses, suits, and accessories. If you’re passionate about fashion, art, or simply discovering new and emerging African designers, this event is for you.

— Selma Ferdjioui