Who are the 10 Confirmed Fashion Designers at the 17th Edition of Swahili Fashion Week & Awards 2024?

The 17th Edition of Swahili Fashion Week & Awards 2024 is set to showcase the best of East African fashion, with a particular focus on boosting Tanzania's fashion industry. This prestigious event brings together fashion entrepreneurs, experts, and investors, creating a vibrant platform for both local and international designers to display their creativity and connect with industry professionals. 

The Swahili Fashion Week's primary objective is to elevate Tanzania's fashion industry on the global stage. According to the event's website, it provides "a unique platform for fashion enthusiasts and textile professionals to connect, share ideas, skills, and insights, and find new collaborative opportunities that can help Tanzania achieve its ambition of industrialization."

The fashion week brings together the fashion forum, runway shows, and the Washington Benbella Emerging Designers Competition 2024 which gives awards to the winner.  Key objectives of the fashion forum include: Raising awareness of Tanzania's textile and apparel industry and discussing challenges and opportunities within the sector as well as establishing a symbiotic relationship between Tanzania's fashion scene and the international apparel industry. 

Collection of @mkwanduleson at the Swahili Fashion Week 2023 runway show

 Sustainability Theme: "Cooking Clean Energy"

This year's event promises to be unique, with a strong emphasis on promoting sustainability in fashion. The organizers have chosen an intriguing theme: "Cooking Clean Energy" (Nishati Safi ya Kupikia in Kiswahili). They challenge participants to "unleash your creativity" and demonstrate how fashion can be fused with sustainability principles.

The Cooking Clean Enegery concept that will be awarded to the winners, is from the Washington Benbella Emerging Designers Competition 2024 which was created in memory of Washington Benbella is a Tanzanian male born in 1989 and died in 2016. He was a young man who was very passionate about his work. He worked with 361 Degrees Africa for more than five years as a Fashion Coordinator and later as the project manager for Swahili Fashion Week. 

In the poster is the picture of Mr. Washington Benbella a Tanzanian born in 1989 and died in 2016

This platform is given by Swahili Fashion Week and Awards to young emerging designers who want to create brands and use Swahili Fashion Week as a stepping stone towards achieving their dreams. It was created in honor of celebrating Washington Benbella, SFW project manager. The call of entry was announced and the chosen finalist will compete for the Washington Benbella Emerging Designers Competition Award 2024, pushing them to be the next fashion icon.

International Participation and Challenges

While the event aims to attract international designers, industry experts note that securing such participation can be challenging. A fashion expert closely following East African fashion events shared insights on the matter:

"Nowadays, it is hard to find international fashion designers willing to book a flight and attend an event outside their country because they may not recoup their investments. Organizers need to convince them by showcasing opportunities around the fashion show, such as exhibitions or pop-up stores, where designers can meet clients directly."

SFW 2023 [Photo Credit: SFW]

The expert also highlighted a common issue with fashion shows: "Many fashion shows run late, and when they're done, people start leaving without even asking for designers' business cards. Some events start late, and by the time they finish, attendees are eager to depart."

SFW 2023 [Photo Credit: SFW]

10 Confirmed Fashion Designers in SFW 2024

Despite these challenges, the 17th Edition of Swahili Fashion Week & Awards 2024 has secured commitments from 10 diverse and talented fashion designers. Each promises to bring unique and quality collections to the runway:

• Reen Fashionflair (Tanzania): A local fashion brand known for its vibrant, contemporary take on traditional Tanzanian textiles.

• Reen Collection (Tanzania): Another Tanzanian brand, related to Reen Fashionflair, focusing on ready-to-wear fashion with an African twist.

• Kushweeet Designs (Kenya): A Kenyan designer bringing East African street style to high fashion.

• Jojo African Design (Tanzania): A local brand celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Tanzania through modern fashion.

• Iterik (Uganda): A rising star in Ugandan fashion, known for bold prints and innovative silhouettes.

• Jescudo (Ethiopia): An Ethiopian designer blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

• BK Brand (Tanzania): A local Tanzanian brand focusing on sustainable and ethical fashion practices.

• Dida (Italy): An Italian designer bringing international flair to the event, possibly incorporating African influences into European designs.

• Abestina Apparel (Tanzania): A local brand known for its elegant, minimalist approach to Tanzanian fashion.

• The Seamstress (Tanzania): A Tanzanian brand celebrating the art of tailoring and custom-made fashion.

Expectations and Opportunities

The diverse lineup of designers promises an exciting showcase of talent from across East Africa and beyond. Local Tanzanian designers will have the opportunity to learn from international experts, exchange ideas, and potentially form collaborations that could elevate their brands to the global stage.

For international designers like Dida from Italy, the event offers a unique chance to tap into the growing East African market and gain inspiration from the region's rich cultural heritage.

The inclusion of designers from neighboring countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia highlights the event's regional significance and its potential to foster cooperation within the East African fashion industry.

As the 17th Edition of Swahili Fashion Week & Awards 2024 approaches, anticipation builds for the innovative designs and sustainable fashion solutions that will grace the runway. With its focus on clean energy and sustainability, the event is poised to make a significant impact on the fashion industry, both locally and internationally.

The success of this year's event could pave the way for increased international participation in future editions, solidifying Tanzania's position as a hub for fashion innovation in East Africa. As the fashion world turns its eyes to Dar es Salaam, the 10 confirmed designers stand ready to showcase the best of what Swahili fashion has to offer.

With a remarkable lineup of gifted designers from all across Africa and beyond, meet @zawadifromzanzibar from #zanzibar- The 17th edition of Swahili Fashion Week is sure to be an exciting and thrilling celebration of fashion.

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