By Christy Anyanwu
Jamaican-born iconic designer and music artiste, Grace Jones, was left pink with joy, when the organisers of the annual Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) and Nigeria, honoured her at the Meltdown Festival and Fashion Extravaganza, a global event held at the Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre, London. 
The 2022 show started with three mini-collections from the Universities of Northampton and West London. Themes of protest were evident in both universities’ collections. which drew attention to Black Lives Matter and boosted awareness of misogyny. The unique discrimination faced by black women also featured in powerful graphic print. The main show brought drama and put African haute couture and elaborate accessories on display.
Premier designer and AFWL Head Stylist, Soboye, gave his evolving Lagos 54 collection, this time including a fabulous neoprene wedding dress and an experiment with Adire from the Adire Oodua Textile Hub. Sista by Eyoro represented Nigeria by showcasing Adire Oodua Textile Hubs different fabrics. Adire Organza, Adire Alabere, Adire Batik, Adire Aso Oke.
Mary Martin London who always brings drama to the catwalk, thrilled the audience with four new designs from her latest inspiration, which included a dress made entirely of wire, exaggerated neckpieces and headpieces.
Prestige designers, Adebayo Jones, Elfreda Dali, Sista by Eyoro, and Kalikas Armour, showcased glamour and classic tailoring with an African haute couture Masterclass by Adebayo Jones.
AFWL was by Princess Ronke Ademiluyi with the sole aim of promoting outstanding African creativity and fabrics on the global stage. AFWL is the longest running African fashion festival in the UK. This year’s Africa Fashion Week in Nigeria which is in partnership with Lagos Fashion Fair is billed to hold from September 7 to 9 September at the Eko Hotel while the Africa Fashion London edition is on the 7 and 8 October 2022, at the Freemasons’ London.
