Manchester Institute of Fashion

Project Fashion X

In January 2025, Project Fashion X launched as a joint project between AFWL, the Adire Oodua Textile Hub and the Manchester Institute of Fashion (Manchester Met University).

First Year BA Fashion & Textile Design students learnt how Adire is made and will be using their fabrics to create outfits using digital software Clo3D. The winning outfits will be showcased at AFWL2025.

Updated: 26 May 2025

AFWL x Manchester Met x Project X: Celebrating African Heritage in Fashion

Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) recently partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University and Project X for a dynamic initiative spotlighting African textiles and emerging talent in UK fashion education.

Monday 19 May began at Manchester Met’s Graduate Fashion Week, where AFWL PR Director Anna Marie Benedict and Head Stylist & Educator Samson Soboye were impressed by the standout collections of African-heritage designers Sarah Ajayi (Nigeria) and Rhodel Mintah (Ghana).

On Tuesday, the team judged 30 2nd Year BA Fashion and Textile student portfolios that explored the use of Adire fabric from the Adire Oodua Textile Hub.

Special recognition goes to student Miranda, who created a percussive Adire outfit using hand-cast brass and silver beads after speaking directly with Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi to research musical motifs in the fabric she used.

Three students will showcase at AFWL 2025, and three will have their work digitally created with Clo3D.

Notably, students explored how to adapt Adire for cold climates, experimenting with padded and quilted techniques for outerwear, puffer jackets, and ski fashion, proving African textiles can thrive in global fashion markets.

With enormous thanks to Gavin Douglas, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader BA (Hons) Fashion Design and Technology at Manchester Metropolitan for initiating and facilitating the AFWL Manchester Met partnership.