Celebrating Timeless Beauty: The Afri Art and Fashion Show 2024 in Kampala

The Afri Art and Fashion Show 2024 was a landmark event that celebrated the vibrant fusion of African fashion and artistic expression. Held annually in Kampala, Uganda, this year's show on July 13 featured over 20 budding fashion designers who showcased African-inspired apparel and accessories blending traditional and modern elements.

The designs on the runway highlighted the use of locally sourced materials like cotton, barkcloth, banana fiber, raffia, recycled paper, sisal kikoyi, and traditional kitenge, emphasizing sustainability and local talent. The event, themed "Celebrating Timeless Beauty," provided a global platform for both emerging and established designers to unveil their creative visions and connect with potential buyers and investors.Designers like Cerinah Kasirye, founder of Trillion Looks Store which organized the show, emphasized the importance of this platform for young talents to present their African designs while staying relevant in modern times. Kasirye stressed the need to preserve African heritage and help people, especially in the African diaspora, find their identity through fashion.

Other designers, such as Aisha Nabwanika, highlighted how African cultural heritage can be celebrated through fashion, using examples like the distinct dress codes of the Baganda tribal group in central Uganda. Artisans like Troniver Nabukenya also encouraged the younger generation to value their traditions and norms despite Western cultural pressures.

The Afri Art and Fashion Show serves as an inspiring platform that uplifts artisans, provides them with visibility and economic freedom, and celebrates the vibrant fusion of African fashion and artistic expression.