Africa Fashion Week London 2025: Meet the Designers from the British Council’s Creative DNA Initiative

African Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting fashion events of the year and there’s one collaboration making even more noise than usual.

For the first time ever, AFWL is teaming up with the British Council’s Creative DNA initiative to introduce a fresh wave of talent redefining what African fashion looks and feels like.

Forget everything you thought you knew about traditional runway shows. This partnership is about cultural storytelling, creative innovation, and unapologetic self-expression.

Ten trailblazing fashion designers from Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe will be storming the London runway at the Next Gen Showcase on Saturday, August 9 at 4PM, with a live exhibition experience to follow. It’s a full-circle moment where you don’t just see fashion, you buy it, interact with it, and understand the voice behind the seams.

Ahead, we will profile these next-generation creatives. From experimental silhouettes to sustainable fashion ideologies, this is your front-row pass to the designers shaking up the scene and shifting the narrative for African fashion on a global stage.

Founded in 2017 by Darkwaa Edna, Ometsey is a contemporary women’s wear brand based in Ghana, West Africa, and it is one of the British Council’s Creative DNA Initiative Designers showcasing fashion innovation at the Africa Fashion Week London.

Ometsey is the local name of Edna, which is given to firstborn girls in her tribe, Ga Adangbe. Firstborns are attributed with the characteristic of being leaders, mentors, guardians and supporters. They are soulful, nurturers and earthy and usually are solid rocks for others to lean on.

These attributes are translated into the look and designs of the brand which inspires and nurtures the Ometsey woman to be of substance – a leader with style and purpose.

Blending classic elegance and modern sophistication, Ometsey pieces are crafted with carefully selected fabrics and they embody the aesthetics of clean cuts, impeccable finishing and rare details with a minimal twist.

This brand aims to create comfortable, quality, versatile and timeless pieces that will live in your closet forever – elevating your everyday look to be influential in every moment.

Kisero Nairobi,one of the British Council’s Creative DNA Initiative Designers showcasing fashion innovation at the Africa Fashion Week London, is a father-son luxury leather brand rooted in Nairobi, Kenya.

Founded in 2020, we craft timeless handmade leather footwear, bags, and accessories that celebrate African artistry and heritage. Inspired by over two decades of craftsmanship passed down from father to son, our pieces blend tradition with contemporary design, offering curated statement items for professionals, creatives, and global tastemakers.

The brand is especially acknowledged to proudly collaborate with local artisans and international designers to deliver quality, purpose, and style, one handcrafted piece at a time.

Sevaria is a contemporary fashion brand redefining the lines between menswear and womenswear, with subtle, confident notes of androgyny woven throughout its collections. At its heart, Sevaria is a celebration of Kenyan heritage and an exploration of Afro-nostalgia.

The brand places a strong emphasis on textiles and texture, working with handwoven fabrics that honour traditional craftsmanship. Sustainability is at the heart of Sevaria’s ethos, with upcycled materials sourced from second-hand markets being reimagined into one-of-a-kind pieces that tell a story.

Founded by designer Jamie Bryan Kimani, Sevaria draws inspiration from his upbringing in Kiserian, Kenya. His work reflects the cultural influences of the Maasai, his lived experiences, all while confidently challenging gender stereotypes. For Jamie, fashion is storytelling.

Epica Jewellery is a Kenyan brand at the crossroads of culture, craftsmanship, and bold self-expression. Founded by Sharon Wendo, the brand emerged after a transformative internship with the Kenya Youth Empowerment Project, where Sharon first mastered the art of beadwork.

At its heart, Epica is about preserving and elevating indigenous bead styles – particularly those of the Maasai. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted using traditional Maasai patterns and glass beads to create modern wearable art that commands attention and celebrates identity. Their Mamai Cape, for instance, reinterprets the iconic Maasai shuka into a bold, elegant statement piece.

This is storytelling through adornment: Epica’s collections document and elevate layered cultural narratives, honouring Kenya’s diversity while preserving craft techniques for future generations. By working directly with Indigenous artisans, the brand ensures that each piece isn’t just beautiful, but it’s meaningful and ethical for both the maker and wearer.

Epica Jewellery isn’t just an accessory; it’s a culture around your neck and heritage on your wrist.

Henri Uduku is where timeless design meets precision craftsmanship.Founded in 2017, the brand draws inspiration from modern city life, delivering collections defined by clean lines, refined details, and effortless sophistication.

From everyday essentials to standout seasonal pieces, Henri Uduku designs for creative professionals, business leaders, and global tastemakers who value understated style with substance. Every garment reflects a commitment to quality, self-expression, and confident minimalism.

Rungano Rwedu is where Zimbabwean heritage meets bold, modern design. Meaning “Our Story” in Shona, the brand is a celebration of craftsmanship, culture, and unapologetic self-expression. 

Each handmade leather piece and accessory fuses traditional techniques with a contemporary edge, crafted for those who walk with confidence, speak their truth, and understand the power of heritage.

This British Council’s Creative DNA Initiative brand showcasing fashion innovation at the Africa Fashion Week London, isn’t just about style, it’s about legacy. From the woven artistry of Zimbabwean basketry to the textures of our landscapes and cultural traditions, every detail carries the spirit of Africa. We source materials from across the continent, making each item a piece of Pan-African identity and pride.

Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu (I am because we are) Rungano Rwedu empowers artisans, preserves tradition, and crafts timeless, soulful pieces that connect people, culture, and history.

Black Fine & Fly is a Lagos-based Afro-European artisan collective turning denim into a canvas for African storytelling. Their signature styles mix premium denim with bold, carved African motifs, each stitch a celebration of West African heritage and thoroughly modern design.

More than just denim, Black Fine & Fly is a movement—a sustainable ready-to-wear brand that centres storytelling, craftsmanship, and a care-for-the-planet ethos. As agents of change, they challenge fashion norms and push boundaries, defining the future of casual luxury in Africa and beyond.

Dagmawit seamlessly blends Ethiopia’s heritage with contemporary fashion. Rooted in age-old embroidery and traditional craftsmanship, every garment offers a thoughtful update on Ethiopia’s cultural legacy, tailored for modern, global wardrobes.

Founded by Dagmawit Tesfaye, whose passion was sparked by her grandfather’s tailoring legacy, the label supports local communities (especially stay-at-home mothers) by bringing ancient skills into ethical production and empowering sustainable livelihoods.

With collections ranging from refined eveningwear to sharp blazers, Dagmawit dresses those craving authenticity, sophistication, and cultural resonance. This isn’t just fashion, it’s wearable storytelling of Ethiopian identity.

Shwanda Kollection is a powerhouse Afro-centric brand, born in Uganda and Kenya and specialising in handmade recycled brass jewellery.

Founded by Yvonne Shwanda, an alumna of the Bold Woman Fund and winner of the Creative DNA 2.0 cohort of 2024, Shwanda Kollection stands at the intersection of ethical craftsmanship and powerful self-expression.

Each piece is a handcrafted work of art, meticulously shaped by local artisans using sustainable, recycled brass. Designed for modern trailblazers, Shwanda’s collections combine striking minimalism with statement-making flair, captured in her latest lookbook, which showcases elegant earrings and refined fringe pieces.

Shwanda doesn’t just design jewellery, she narrates stories. With a keen eye for detail and visual storytelling, she creates pieces that reflect heritage, identity, and inner strength.

More than adornment, each item is wearable art celebrating craft, culture, and sustainability.

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Step into the world of TechStitched XR, where African fashion meets the future of technology! This groundbreaking project by Guzo Technologies in collaboration with the British Council Ethiopia, combines Extended Reality (XR) and generative AI to revolutionise design and storytelling in the fashion industry, and will be showcased at thé Africa Fashion Week London.

Photo: Instagram/ometseyofficial