AFRICA FASHION UP 2023 – Winner Award – Aristide Loua received the esteemed « Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 » award

Date: July 7 2023

Venue: Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, 37 Quai Jacques Chirac, 75007 Paris (France)

Africa Fashion Up announced its winner for the 2023

The prestigious Africa Fashion Up competition announced its winner for the 2023 edition on the evening of July 7, 2023.

Aristide Loua, an Ivorian designer and the visionary behind the Kente Gentlemen brand, received the esteemed « Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023″ award.

Designer-Africa-Fashion-Up-2023 – Aristide Loua, an Ivorian designer Kente Gentlemen brand – Received Designer Africa Fashion Up 202 award -Sophie Coustaury – Dedeyan, Chief Talent Officer, BALENCIAGA;

Partners

This recognition was made possible through the support of esteemed partners such as Galeries Lafayette Paris-Haussmann, and HEC Paris, as well as media collaborators including Trace, Brut, France Médias Monde, Brune Magazine, and 35°Nord.

The distinguished selection committee, consisting of Galeries Lafayette Paris-Haussmann, the renowned fashion house Balenciaga, and the esteemed business school HEC Paris, presented him with the prestigious « Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 » award.

Five winners showcased a selection of stunning pieces from their collections

Up&Biz – Valérie Ka – Africa Fashion Up – Promoting Fashion Entrepreneurship – Nurturing Innovation and Success with-young designers

AFRICA FASHION UP : AWARDS

The 5 winners will receive the following awards:

An invitation to present their collection at the Africa Fashion Up show in Paris.

* Promotion on all our social networks and in our media partners
* Thematic masterclasses delivered by experts from prestigious fashion houses
* An exclusive tour that will allow them to immerse themselves in the heart of Parisian and international fashion
* Participation in a business training program delivered by the renowned HEC business school
* A six-month mentoring program
* The opportunity to exhibit and sell their collection on an international online store

From left to right: Ibrahim Tadju, Nigerian designer and founder of TJWHO; Jafaru Larry, Ghanaian designer and founder of Larry Jay; Sophie Coustaury – Dedeyan, Chief Talent Officer, BALENCIAGA; Philippe Oster, Senior Executive Director, International Affairs, HEC Paris; Vincent Senecat, Director of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann; Aristide Loua, Ivorian designer and founder of Kente Gentlemen; Shamyra Moodley, South African designer and founder of Laaniraani; Valérie Ka, founder of Africa Fashion Up and model.

The momentous fashion show took place at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, where the five winners showcased a selection of stunning pieces from their collections.

Joining Aristide Loua were Yonael Marga from Ethiopia, Ibrahim Tadju from Nigeria, Shamyra Moodley from South Africa, and Sjafaru Larry from Ghana.

Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 – YONAEL-MARGA-FROM-ETHIOPIA – Received Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 Award – Partners & Sponsors BALENCIAGA – Vincent Senecat, Director of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann;

Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 – JAFARU-LARRY-FROM-GHANA – Received Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 Award – Partners & Sponsors BALENCIAGA – Galeries Lafayette – Paris Haussmann

Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 – Shamyra-Moodley-from-South-Africa – Received Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 Award – Partners & Sponsors BALENCIAGA – Vincent Senecat, Director of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann;

Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 -Ibrahim Taju – TJWHO **is a** luxury menswear brand based in Lagos, Nigeria -Received Designer Africa Fashion Up 2023 Award – Partners & Sponsors BALENCIAGA – Vincent Senecat, Director of Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann;

Special Guest – Winners of the inaugural AFUP edition

Additionally, Eric Raisina from Madagascar and Guy Fabrice « Zaady » from Côte d’Ivoire, winners of the inaugural AFUP edition, graced the event as guest designers, adding further excitement and diversity to the showcase.

ERIC RAISINA from MADAGASCAR-winners-of-the-inaugural-AFUP-edition

Guy-Fabrice-‘Zaady’-from-Côte-d’Ivoire,-winners-of-the-inaugural-AFUP-edition

The Artist

The event, meticulously crafted by sculptor and visual artist Junior Fritz Jacquet, provided a captivating setting for the attendees.

It featured mesmerizing performances by dancer Yann Antonio and rapper Passi, accompanied by Ortiz.

The evening continued with a splendid gala dinner hosted at the museum, adding an air of elegance and celebration to the occasion.

This remarkable show marked the culmination of a week filled with training and coaching sessions behind the scenes of Paris fashion.

AFU 2023 -EDITION 3-Junior Fritz Jacquet,

The event, held in a setting designed by sculptor/plastic artist Junior Fritz Jacquet, featured performances by dancer Yann Antonio and rapper Passi accompanied by Ortiz. It was followed by a gala dinner at the museum.

THE JURY MEMBERS

AFRICA FASHION UP – AFU Edition 3 – Valerie KA, Ceo & Founder of SHARE AFRICA

The talented individuals were granted exclusive access to the prestigious Balenciaga haute couture house, followed by an enriching exploration of Galeries Lafayette Paris-Haussmann. As the next step in their journey, the winners will undergo a specialized management training program conducted by the esteemed HEC Paris business school.

Additionally, they will receive four months of personalized support from BALENCIAGA as part of an extended mentoring program, ensuring their continued growth and development.

CEO & Owner pf Share Africa

Valérie Ka, committed woman, Valérie founded Share Africa Share Africa.a platform to promote young African entrepreneurs and designers.

With its Africa Fashion Up initiative, a training, support and coaching program for young designers (in which HEC is a partner), as well as a major event in Paris dedicated to contemporary African fashion.

The driving force behind Africa Fashion Up, expressed her heartfelt congratulations to all the participating designers, with a special acknowledgment to the overall winner, Aristide Loua. She expressed her delight in the success of this edition, which celebrates the creativity and influence of African fashion. Valérie Ka also extended her gratitude to the event’s partners, including BALENCIAGA, HEC Paris, Galeries Lafayette Paris-Haussmann, and the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, for their invaluable contributions to the event’s success.

A committed woman, Valérie founded Share Africa, a platform to promote young African entrepreneurs and designers. With its Africa Fashion Up initiative, a training, support and coaching program for young designers (in which HEC is a partner), as well as a major event in Paris dedicated to contemporary African fashion.