Manchester Fashion Institute
Project Fashion X 2026
Reimagining Adire for a New Generation
Africa Fashion Week London continued its educational partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University in 2026, challenging fashion students to reimagine traditional Nigerian Adire textiles through contemporary design, digital innovation and sustainable fashion.
Working with the Adire Oodua Hub in Nigeria, students explored the cultural significance of handcrafted Adire textiles and considered how these traditional techniques could connect with new global audiences.
The live industry brief brought together 190 students from fashion design, business, and communications to develop innovative brand collaborations that combine creative concepts with commercial strategies and sustainable practices.
What made the project particularly exciting was the students' willingness to think beyond conventional fashion. Their ideas extended into digital design, gaming and virtual environments, exploring how Adire patterns and cultural storytelling could find new expression in digital fashion and gaming experiences; and the maternity leisurewear industry.
As part of the AFWL Live Brief Competition, student groups presented their proposals to a judging panel including AFWL representatives. Two winning projects, Agile Adire and Adire Pixels, were selected and supported in developing films showcasing their concepts.
The winning project films were presented at Africa Fashion Week London 2026, bringing their ideas from the university classroom to an international fashion audience.
The collaboration reflects AFWL's commitment to connecting African textile heritage with education, technology and the next generation of creative talent.
From handcrafted Nigerian textiles to digital gaming, the project demonstrated that African fashion heritage is not simply something to preserve, but something that can continue to evolve, innovate and inspire.
Project Fashion X 2025
Celebrating African Heritage in Fashion
In 2025, Africa Fashion Week London partnered with Manchester Metropolitan University's Manchester Fashion Institute and the Adire Oodua Textile Hub on Project Fashion X, bringing traditional Nigerian Adire textiles into contemporary fashion education.
Students explored the heritage and techniques of creating Adire, reimagining these handcrafted fabrics through innovative design, sustainability and digital technology, including CLO3D software.
Their individual projects demonstrated the versatility of African textiles, with particularly innovative approaches to designing for colder climates, incorporating Adire into padded and quilted outerwear, puffer jackets and ski fashion.
Special recognition went to student Miranda, who created a percussive Adire outfit featuring hand-cast brass and silver beads, following conversations with Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi about the musical motifs within her chosen fabric.
AFWL Director Anna Marie Benedict and Head Stylist Samson Soboye reviewed 30 student portfolios, selecting three winning designs that were subsequently produced as finished garments and presented on the Africa Fashion Week London 2025 catwalk.
The collaboration demonstrated how African textile heritage can inspire contemporary fashion innovation, connecting traditional craftsmanship, emerging designers and international runway opportunities.
Watch the project launch and the resulting catwalk showcase.
Digital Marketing Work Experience 2024
Two 2nd year BA Fashion Marketing students came onboard in the Summer of 2024 to shadow the Press Director and learn vital skills in how to market a major fashion event.
Here are some of the tiktoks they produced.