The 10th edition of the L’Afrique Fashion Fest is set to take African creativity, culture, and artistry to the global stage, with planned events across three cities,Port Harcourt, Lagos, and London in July, September, and November 2026.
Since its inception nine years ago, the festival has attracted designers, models, and creatives from across the continent, including Ghana, Cameroon, and Benin Republic.
The annual platform has been credited with empowering African designers, providing employment opportunities, and giving models visibility on both local and international runways.
At a press briefing on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Chief Executive Officer of L’Afrique Fashion Fest, Emmer Schneider, revealed that this year’s theme, “Beyond Borders,” reflects the festival’s strategic expansion and ambition to grow beyond its Nigerian roots.
“For this edition, we are taking it to three cities, it is a good opportunity for L’Afrique to go international,” Schneider said.
He noted that the festival has consistently created value by paying participating models, boosting designers’ visibility, and providing e-commerce and media exposure that help talent gain access to international fashion circuits.
Co-Director Anita Okoi explained that the decision to host the festival in Lagos and London was driven by popular demand and the need to position Africa’s fashion industry within the global market.
“This expansion will foster collaboration between designers across different cities and countries while strengthening Africa’s presence in the global fashion industry,” she said.
Lead Designer Jasmine Afrik described L’Afrique as a highly competitive platform that encourages emerging talent to showcase their creativity.
She urged young designers to participate, noting that events like these are critical for building the future of African fashion.
The organisers also revealed that this year’s festival will be broadcast live in French, opening opportunities for sponsors to engage with a wider international audience and further promote African fashion globally.
With the 10th edition, L’Afrique Fashion Fest is poised to reinforce its position as a leading platform for African fashion, celebrating talent, fostering cross-border collaborations, and taking the continent’s creative industries onto the world stage.
