A verified community where fashion adherents march up to witness the very best designs put together by award-winning/ recognized fashion designers across the continent, Glitz Africa Fashion Week reprised itself for the 6th time at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City Accra.
Showcased with over 40 African designers, 3 emerging designers and 6 Graduates from renowned fashion schools in Ghana, the GAFW 2019 was the paid-for weekend that the capital needed to make its statement as a fashion hub.
Ahead of the 3-day packed runway shows that was awaiting to be delivered, the theme ‘Our Fashion, Our Heritage’ kickstarted with a beauty forum inside the Labadi Beach Hotel, bringing together beauty entrepreneurs and enthusiasts under one umbrella for a joyous occasion in discussion of the rising beauty industry and how possible to make it relevant in the ears and books of beauty patrons.
A slew of beauty bloggers, product buyers and owners were booked for the occasion. The panel was fueled with heavyweight names such as; Valerie Obaze (R&R Luxury CEO), Debbie Bjuku (Glitz Style Awards 2019 Fashion Blogger of the Year), Lydia Forson (Award-winning Actress), Juliet Ibrahim (Actress/Beauty Entrepreneur), Chris Kata (TV Personality and Beauty Influencer) and more.
On the eve of the Fashion Week was a Soiree held at the French Ambassador’s Residence to launch GAFW 2019 in grand style. Aside the sipping cocktails and engagements amongst guests was a fashion presentation by some fashion designers who have contributed their quota towards making GAFW a good show every year.
For the first night, designers both in Ghana and Nigeria shone on the runway with their selected models from the open display by Yartel to the closing show by the fashion house, Ejiro Amos Tafiri. Not only was the three-day event scheduled for fabrics made into presentations, but also the business side of fashion was well factored into the calendar.
A circle of well-polished business oriented fashion and style lovers namely; Tara Mulhare (International Sector Specialist, Textile and Apparel), Sara Sozzani Maino (Deputy Editor-in-chief, Vogue Italia and Head of Vogue Talents), Kosi Yankey (Executive Director, National Board of Small Scale Industries), Chiedza Makonen (CEO, Afrodesiac Worlwide), Mabel Simpson (CEO, MSimps), Ruby Buah (CEO, Kua Designs) and Ivy Prosper made up the panel as speakers.
Day 2 rolled on quickly to the evening for another exceptional runway show made full with designers starting from House of Paon through to the concluding act Christie Brown. Everything came to a close on the third day with an opening show by Mai Atafo and a closing one by Tubo both from Nigeria.
Masked up for the fashion week in attendance were A-list stars in Ghana such as Sacha Okoh, Belinda Baidoo, Nana Akua Addo, Kojo Yankson, Nikki Samonas, Joselyn Dumas, KOD, Gifty B, Salma Mumin and a host of others. The event was also graced by the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. Repeating itself year by year as a runway not only for models but celebrities in support of their affiliated fashion brands, was the catwalk display of Adjetey Anang, Nathaniel Attoh, John Dumelo, Lydia Forson, Berla Mundi, Adina Thembi, Efya and Okyeame Kwame.
