AFWL 2026 - Meet Designers Defining Africa’s Global Fashion Moment.
As African Fashion Week London, AFWL gets ready for 2026 edition, African fashion continues to gain global momentum for good reasons. Its fearless creativity, deep cultural roots, and modern silhouettes are now staples on international runways.
Leading that charge is Olori Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, Queen of the Ooni of Ife and founder of Africa Fashion Week London. Her vision has been instrumental in positioning African designs on the world stage.
She also created Africa Fashion Week Nigeria — the sister platform to AFWL — which returns to Lagos this December as part of the highly anticipated Detty December festivities. Since launching in 2011, AFWL has grown far beyond a runway. It’s now a key bridge between African designers and the global fashion economy: buyers, retailers, investors, and new audiences.
Through partnerships like the British Council’s Creative DNA programme and the Adire Oodua Textile Hub, AFWL champions creativity while driving education, entrepreneurship, and the preservation of African textile heritage. Now in its 16th year, AFWL returns to Central London in August.
The line-up brings together the continent’s most exciting established and emerging names, for collections that speak to innovation, craftsmanship, and the growing global influence of African fashion. Meet some of the designers set to take the runway this season.
Soboye
Samson Soboye isn’t just styling fashion; he’s defining the blueprint. For over a decade as Head Stylist at Africa Fashion Week London, Soboye has brought unapologetic flair, visionary precision, and cultural fire to the runway.
A Central Saint Martins’ graduate and British Vogue alum, he’s dressed icons like Nile Rodgers, John Boyega, and Michaela Coel, while curating ground breaking exhibitions for Somerset House, Southbank Centre, Brighton Museum and more.
From his legendary Soboye boutique in Shoreditch – the go-to destination for luxury African fashion and lifestyle – to his global acclaim in interior design and editorial, Soboye’s influence spans decades and industries.
Mary Martin London
For over a decade, Mary Martin London has been a name that commands respect on the Africa Fashion Week London catwalk — and for good reason. Known for her fearless creativity and boundary-breaking vision, Mary Martin’s work turns fashion into theatre, garments into sculpture, and every runway appearance into an unforgettable statement.
Now marking 11 consecutive years with AFWL, her collections are never just clothes — they are artistic declarations, dripping in unapologetic glamour, bold structure, and avant-garde storytelling. From red carpets to royal runways, Mary Martin London continues to prove why she is one of the most powerful creative forces in British-African fashion today.
Claudia Byron Claudia Byron is a Zimbabwean luxury fashion designer, whose work is defined by refined femininity, structured elegance and a modern global perspective. Her brand focuses on contemporary womens wear that blends strong tailoring, elevated textures and intentional silhouettes with a distinct sense of identity and presence.
Showcasing at Africa Fashion Week London 2026, the brand introduces a denim-led collection that reflects a contemporary interpretation of African design through a global luxury lens, positioning Claudia Byron as an emerging voice in international fashion.
Mahenty Afrik Heritage
All the way from Cameroon, MahentyAfrik Heritage is an Afrocontemporary fashion brand that celebrates ancestral African elegance through a modern, refined, and conscious aesthetic.
Inspired by the symbolic heritage of African cultures — particularly the visual language and artistry of the Bamiléké people the brand reinterprets traditional forms, motifs, and meanings into timeless, minimalist, and powerful designs. At MahentyAfrik Heritage, clothing is conceived as an energetic armour: it envelops, protects, elevates, and reveals.
La’baleo Collections
La’baleo Collections is dedicated to providing bespoke, tailor-fit clothing that not only enhances the confidence and style of clients but also guarantees a perfect fit with every piece.
The brand strives to create employment opportunities and contribute to the fashion industry by delivering classic designs and timeless looks. La’baleo’s ultimate goal is to ensure that every client leaves with a smile, feeling valued and satisfied.
Read News on Newtelegraphng
