From the iconic Arise Fashion Week in Lagos to the vibrant Swahili Fashion Week in Dar es Salaam, discover the most anticipated events showcasing African creativity, cultural richness, and cutting-edge designs.
1. Arise Fashion Week
Usually held in February, this iconic fashion week started with the Arise Magazine Fashion Week and has become synonymous with the who’s who of fashion in Africa. From international models like Naomi Campbell launching mentorship programmes to showcasing Andrea Iyamah-, Arise Fashion Week in Lagos is the place to be on the front row.
2. Dakar Fashion Week
Established by Adama Ndiaye in 2002, Dakar Fashion Week brings fashion, culture and music to the “Land of Teraanga” and showcases emerging African talent. Ndiaye told Vogue magazine in an interview, “We’re not trying to compete with or be like other cities, in Africa or beyond. We want to show fashion by us, for us and share that with the world.” The event was held in December, and last attracted 2 500 visitors. Over the years, designers from Ivory Coast, Mozambique, and Ethiopia have showcased at the event, and there’s been a skew toward the theme of sustainability over the last few years.
3. South Africa Fashion Week
Lucilla Booyzen is the founder and chief executive of South African Fashion Week (SAFW), and her name has become synonymous with great design and mentorship. SA Fashion Week has launched the careers of some of South Africa’s most prominent designers, including Rubicon, Rich Mnisi and Gert-Johan Coetzee. Usually held in September, the fashion event is a must for buyers, models, designers and media from across the continent.
4. Egypt Fashion Week
Relatively new, Egypt Fashion Week launched in 2023 with 70 Egyptian designers and is held across three venues throughout Dokki, a district in Cairo; the event hosts various dialogues from industry leaders talking about fashion from multiple spheres, including design, business, and sustainability. Last year, the event was held in May and showcased “The Pharaohs on the Runway”, described as a “showcase reflecting on Egypt’s heritage while also highlighting its fashion-forward mindset to keep up with the fast-paced industry”.
5. Swahili Fashion Week
December 2025 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is the place to be for Africa’s largest annual fashion event, which provides a platform for fashion and accessory designers from Swahili-speaking countries. Created in 2008 by Mustafa Hassanali, a Tanzanian designer and entrepreneur, once described as the “count of couture”. Hassanali says of Swahili Fashion Week: “The goal of developing the African fashion space remains in the forefront of what we are aiming to do, and through the platform and its wide media exposure, the consumer in Tanzania, and the diaspora at large is seeing that there’s an alternative to imported brands. We always aim to strengthen brand value, championing the “Made in Africa” concept and building global brands with African roots.”
Tribal Chic
Hosted at Tribe Hotel in Nairobi, Tribal Chic deserves an honourable mention due to its selection of designers, entertainment, and stunning venue. The event has been running for 13 years and focuses on a yearly theme. Tribal Chic takes place on 8 February 2025 and promises “Something out of this world” for this year’s theme.
