TheOrator.Press Joined Them And Strutted On Down To Kensington To Check It Out. Our Guest Reporter, Music Executive Dawn Rose, Was A Perfect Colour Match In A Bold Illuminous Green Yet Chic Full Length Skirt, Strappy Top And Matching Shoes Outfit. As Well As Getting To See Behind The Scenes She Also Hob-Nobbed With A Famous Fashion Editor From The World of TV.
This Feature Piece Special Is A Long Read Literary Buffett. Take What You Want And Leave The Rest. Simply Select The Links Below That You Like The Sound of The Best.
Three Fabulous Days At African Fashion Week 2023 At The I.O.D
In This Landmark Year of 2023 Which Sees The 75th Anniversary of The Arrival of The Windrush Generation,The 50th Anniversary Year of Hip Hop, The Celebration of British Black History Month This Month, During Which The Royal Victoria & Albert Museum Announced It Will Be Staging A Special Exhibition Next Year of The 40 Year Career of Black British Model Naomi Campbell @naomi The First Black Model To Grace The Front Cover of Vogue Magazine, And A Champion of The Development of ‘Vogue Africa’, This Year’s African Fashion Week London, Hosted By The I.O.D. Seemed Particularly Special.
And This Sense of Special Was Even More So As Two Days After The Fashion Festival Was Scheduled To Finish King Charles III & Queen Camilla Were Scheduled To Commence Their First Commonwealth State Visit Since His Coronation May 6th Earlier This Year, To The African Continent And Arrive In Kenya. The State Visit Is In Conjunction With The Princes Trust International Enterprise Initiative @princestrustinternational On Instagram. British, Dual African (Ghanaian & Sierra Leone) Actor & Film Director @Idris Elba Is An Ambassador of The International Trust.
What Was Joyous About This Event Was The Inclusivity. It Was Great Seeing Men And Women Coming Down The Catwalk In All Shapes, Sizes And Ages All Looking Fabulous. It Was Great To Witness A Change In The Narrative From Mainstream Media’s Focus On African Poverty To This Self-Created International Recognition of African Creativity, Positivity And Ingenuity. And In Turn The All Round Sense of Commercial Confidence, Collaboration, Cooperation, Quality, Class, Contentment And Continued Growth & Development, Celebration, Friendliness & Self-Confidence.
This Level of Achievement Within The Fierce Fashion Industry Was Hard Earnt, Well Deserved And Needs To Be Closely Protected, Documented And Preserved. And Built Upon And Forever Be Under The Proprietorship of Great Africans. As It Is Now. And So As An Important, Potent, And Powerful Legacy It Should Remain Imperpetuity.
Day 1 Friday October 27 2023: The Inaugural UK Africa Trade Expo (UKATE)
Day 2 AFWL Saturday October 28 2023: Fashion Shows Throughout The Day (Photo: @AFWL)
Majestic Looking Models Wearing African Designs Walk The Runway At The IOD Piccadilly, London, In The Afternoon Fashion Show, Saturday October 30th 2023.
Designers @tullesandwools Offer Eco-Friendly Designs For Men, Women & Children And Worldwide Delivery. Photos Directly Above & Below By TheOrator.Press (TO.P)
There Was A Great Sense of The Majestic, The Regal & The Royal @AFWL 2023. And This Outfit Design By @VictoriaOwensApparel Sums It Up Nicely. The Power, Vibrancy And Boldness of The Regal Red Sash Set Over Silver And Gold Long & Lush Fabrics Speak For Themselves When It Comes To The Difference In Continental Style Compared To The Large Portrait Fatefully Appearing Over This Model’s Shoulder On The Wall Behind Her.
Day 2 AFWL Saturday October 28 2023: Fabulous Fashion Shows Throughout The Day On A Red Carpet Runway
African Fashion Week London 2023 Fashion Shows Were Stunning, Refreshing And Awesomely Authentic And Featured The Most Captivating African & Caribbean Models, Fabrics, Designs, Styles & Music. There Were So Many Wonderful Events & Here Is TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Special Report Featuring Just A Small Selection of What Caught Our Eye & Moved Us Most. (Photo: (TO.P) Photography) Dress By @Ik-Pen
Day 3 AWFL Sunday October 29 2023:
A Gala Awards Night Including The Black History Legacy Awards
Royal African Trade Intiative By Prince Kamari of Ife Encourages Sustainable Enterprise & Elegance, In Association With His Sister Queen Ronke’s African Fashion Week Which Continues To Go From Strength To Strength For Well Over A Decade
The World of Fashion & Finance Came Together In London’s Piccadilly In The Most Dynamic of Ways For Three Fabulous Days As The IOD (Institute of Directors) Provided A Wonderful Venue From Which To Stage A Series of Platforms, Catwalks, And Runways To Host ‘African Fashion Week London’2023 From Friday 27th – Sunday 29th October This Year.
AFWL Is The Sartorial Brainchild of Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi of Ife Ife West Africa And Is Supported By Her Brother Prince Karimi Ademiluyi. Both Were In The House & In Attendance, Plus To Open The Proceedings There Was A Special Address By His Highness His Imperial Majesty, The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.
The Venue Was Very Apt This Year Because For The First Time The Grand Fashion Event Incorporated A Special Introductory Trade & Business Segment Called The ‘UK AFRICA TRADE EXPO’. It Presented MSME’s (Micro, Small, & Medium Entreprises) With An Opportunity To Explore The Possibility of Collaborative Sustainable Supply Chains And Business Development Opportunities In Order To Bring Culture & Commerce Together. It Was A Great Event Which Showcased Directors & Designers Fabulously Doing Their Dynamic Thing.
His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. Ooni of Ife CFR
Evergreen Veteran Entertainment & Cultural Affairs Correspondent @Brenda Emmanus Helped Introduce & Present The Opening of @afwlondon 2023 Friday October 27th (Photo: By TO.P Photography On The I.O.D Terrace, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, London)
Delegation Members Annette & Antoinette @adoreable_1_ & @hconsultancynetwork (Heritage Consultancy Network) Respectively
TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Says It’s Time For Change!
TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Believes It’s Time For Greater Press Diversity In The Media Arena To Bring Greater Authenticity, Balance And Common Courtesy When It Comes To Reporting On The Afro-Caribbean Community. And That Should Be Done In Our Own Voices. And It’s Great To Be Able To Report On Such Greater Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Within The African Fashion Industry This Year.
TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Says Wonderfully Woke!
At The ‘Beyond Fashion’ UK/Africa Trade Expo On Friday October 27 2023 Cultural Print Designer Karen Hamilton-Bannis of AK Wilde Naturally Inspired Bespoke Print Designers Was Fully Imersed In The Event As An Exhibitor, Speaker And Panelist.
She Really Embraced What The Event Had To Offer MSMEs. As Well As Displaying Her Amazingly Beautiful Designs In The Main Conference Room, Designs Inspired By Afro-Caribbean Culture & Nature, She Spoke of Business Lessons Learnt From Experience, The Benefits of Collaboration, And The Business of Beauty, Hair Care & Fashion. She Also Displayed A Special Collection Dedicated To Her Late Mother Which Honours Women of The Windrush Generation. linkedin.com/in/ak-wilde-karen-hamilton-bannis-a675a1100
She Posted @akwildenature “Really Pleased To Have Been Part of UKATE 23.A Business Symposium Hosted As Aart of Africa Fashion Week, Bringing MSMEs Together To Explore Combining Culture & Commerce For Sustainable Development.“
Photo Below: Male Model
Is Iron Like A Lion In Zion (…Or The Serengetti)
As He Walks The Runway For
The Ethical Clothing “Wrapped In Culture” Collection
Photo: TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Photography Dept.
Prince Kamari Was Very Hands On Supporting His Sister Organising @afwlondon Especially With The Inaugural UK Africa Trade Expo (UKATE) Which He Founded This Year. And of Which He Is The CEO. Having Co-Founded African Fashion Week London With His Sister Queen Ronke Over A Decade Ago, The Two Work Still Work Very Closely Together.
UKATE Combines ‘Culture & Commerce’ To Present An Opportunity To Explore The Possible Establishment of Collaborative Sustainable African & UK Supply Chain & Business Development Opportunities. Website: africafashionweeklondonuk.com/ukate
Work Life Balance Is Very Important And Even Princes Are Allowed To Love Their Football Festivals! Prince William Was Appointed President-Designate of The FA In 2005 For Instance. And Prince Kamari’s Love of Football Is No Different. We All Need Down Time. Even Those Living The Life of A Nobleman. (Photo: Prince Kamari In Football Festival T-Shirt By TO.P Photography, Saturday October 28th 2023, The I.O.D, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, London) www.iod.com
Actor, Entertainer & Open Mike Host, Mr Fola Ogunba & Friends From The Event
Fola Ogunba With Delegation Friend
The Quietly Charming Lunga Ntuli, Sports Writer, Relationship Expert, And Founder of Lunga Ntuli Watches lnwatches.co.za Travelled All The Way From South Africa To Exhibit At AFWL 2023. He Has Exhibited At This African Show Case of UK/African Trade Before At Its Previous Venue of Freemason Hall. Photo By TO.P Photography. Click Link To Learn More of Lunga Ntuli’s Journey To Success From An African Vibes Article At The Very Start of This Year.
The USP of LN Watches Is That They Are Literally Handcrafted With African Beads (Evidently By African Angels With The Patience of Saints & Divine Genius). Each Colour, Design, & Pattern Tells Its Own African Story. The Late Archbishop Desmond Tutu Was A Fan, As Is The Very Courageous, Independent, Inspirational, Supremely Stylish & Beautiful Megan Markle
An Enlightened Delegate Visits UKATE @akwildenature In The Main I.O.D Conference Room
A Supreme African Royal Success @AFWL 2023. Model @iamangelcole
@jurio_luti_official Celebrate A Successful Fashion Show Photo: TO.P Photography From The Runway
A True Story of A Dreamy Oscar Commission Is On HouseofSolana.com Website. @AFWL 2023 The Pink Lining of This Dress, The Pink Strapey Shoes, The Pink Big Bold Blousey Flowers, The Pink Flowing Cape, Accessorized With Matching Pink Handbag, On A Light Green Background Was Pure Gold. Photo: @HouseofSolana Plus-Size Models Were In The House. Big Style! Amen!
EthnicityClothing.Com Delivered An Absolutely Stunning Collection. “Wrapped In Culture” As Designers of Bespoke Cultural Outfits For Men, Women, Boys And Girls, They Have A Holistic Approach Whereby They Believe In & Support The Building of A Technical Infrastructure For The African Fashion Industry. Photo: TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Photography
Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi Founder of Africa Fashion Week. Photo: By TO.P Photography, Saturday October 28th 2023 At The I.O.D, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, London. Her Formal Opening Address On The First Day, Friday 27 October 2023 Can Be Seen @AFWLondon
Prince Kamari (Centre) linkedin.com/in/kamari-ademiluyi-088162150
With Business Consultant Rudi Page linkedin.com/in/makingconnectionswork
And Director of GEC A Sponsor of @AFWLondon 2023, Joel Singh linkedin.com/in/joel-singh-a98b4115
(Photos: Joel Singh & GEC By TO.P Photography At The I.O.D, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, London)
Lorraine Bellot Co Founder of Black Business Recommendation (BBR) Was In The House On The Opening Day Which Was A B2B Networking, Conference, Presentations, And Panel Discussions Day. She Was Supporting Business Associate African Textiles & Business Consultant Jacqueline Shaw of jacquelineshaw.co.uk. Jacqueline Founded The African Fashion Guide Over A Decade Ago In 2011 With Four Main Pillars; Sourced In Africa, Made In Africa, Trade In Africa And Build In Africa. She Was Part of The Sustainable Fashion Panel Discussion Which Took Place On Friday Night Regarding Sustainability Within The African Fashion Industry. linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-shaw-african-fashion-sourcing-expert
Lorraine Posted On The BBR Page The Very Next Day “What An Amazing Evening Attending The Opening Conference To #AfricanFashionWeek Which Is Held At The Institute of Directors. The Panel of Women Artists, Designers, Fashionistas, And Business Owners Were Full of Knowledge, Giving Insightful Information On How We All Can Be More Sustainable With Our Clothing & Understanding The Impact And Story Behind The Clothing That We Wear. Jacqueline Shaw – African Business Coach, Thank You For All That You Do In This Space. We Salute You.” Black Business Recommendation
Lorraine’s Bag With Stylish Gold Coloured African Fabric Typifies The Versitility of African Print & Its Ability To Blend In With Different Outfits (Photo: By TO.P Photography At The I.O.D, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, London)
AK Wilde Naturally Inspired Bespoke Print Designers Create Cushions, Bedding, Scrafes, Bags, Mugs, Dresses And Head Dresses And Were Proud To Attend The Inaugural ‘Beyond Fashion’ UK/Africa Expo 2023 As Part of This Year’s @AFWL @akwildenature
Versatile Model @johnny.sommar.vevo Was Golden @AFWLondon 2023 In More Ways Than One This Month.
Above His Smile Is Beautiful. Below He Adopts A More Inscrutable Face As He Models A Lush Gold Coloured Three Piece Suit & Tie For @jurio_luti_official. And For The @Samson_Soboye Collection He Was Cast As “The King of Fashion”. And Later As The Sun Set On This Year’s @AFWL Event Lunga Ntuli Thanked Him & Others For Modelling @LNWatches
Johnny Is Also An Image & Lifestyle Coach, A Law Student & A Singer. And He’s Also Multi-Lingul, Fluent In French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian & English. He’s Looking Good On It Aged 46. (Just Seven Years Younger Than Dr. Naomi.)
The Honorary Dr. Was Back At College Herself Recently (On October 24th 2023) Giving An Inspiring Speech To Students At Homerton College Cambridge University Now Led By Lord Simon Woolley.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion This Black History Month And Every Month!
Photo: Above & Below TheOrator.Press (TO.P) Photography
Success By Design Sees The Continued Growth of A Beautiful Business Model As Queen Ronke Continuues To Go International
Queen Ronke Talks With CNN Africa About The Successful Growth of African Fashion Week
Which Now Includes
AFW Abuja, AFWBrazil, AFWLondon & AFWNigeria
Photo: TO.P Photography @jurio_luti_official
Afro-Latino Fusion As Queen Ronke Launches AFWBrazil In Sao Paolo
The First AFWLondon Was Staged In 2011. And There Has Been One Every Year Since, Barr 2020 (The Year of Covid). Queen Ronke’s Dedication Has Seen This Event Grow From Strength To Strength And This Year For The First Time, It Has Been Officially Recognised As The Huge Investment of Time, Money, Personal, Professional And Business Dedication That It Is,
Photo: TO.P Photography @Simeogieme
With The ‘Beyond Fashion’ Initiative Started By Her Brother Prince Kamari And His Inaugural UKATE Fashion Business Conference 2023.
The Team Have Also Created AFWBrazil. This Second Inaugural Event of AFW 2023 Took Place In Sao Paolo May 25th – 27th. #AFWBR. There Is Also AFWNigeria (AFWN) Which Was Founded In 2014 And Will Take Place December Saturday 9th – Sunday 10th Later This Year. There Is Also AFWAbuja.
African Fashion Week Is Founded On Community Enterprize, Education, Empowerment, And Commercial Development Through Fashion Expertise).
Models Showcase African Inspired, Handmade, Ethical Outfits From @designsbyprelim (We’re Loving The Stunning Hairstyles, Outfits And The Thoughtfulness of Cultural Umbrellas To Protect Them. See If You Can Spot At Least Two Within Our Selection of Photos Taken By Us On The Catwalk. There Are Even More Vibrant Pictures @designsbyprelim)
Bottom Lefthand Corner, Model Angel Cole @iamangelcole (A Former Finalist on Britain’s Next Top Model, A UK Franchise of The Original Series Called ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Started By African-American “Model, Photographer, Entrepreneur” @TyraBanks. Bottom Lefthand Corner Again, Model Charli Fletcher (Also A Singer) @charliiamlegend. Both Models Worked Extensively Throughout The African Fashion Week Show For Different Fashion Houses, As Did A Number of The Models We Observed In Different Shows, Both The Men & The Women. Intrigued, We Enquired of Angel What The Tattoo On Her Chest Said. And If Indeed It Was A Tattoo. Her Answer Was Powerful. Follow Us @TheOrator.Press.on.Insta Where The Answer Is Revealed In Our Pending Interview Coming To The Pages of TheOrator.Press Online Magazine Very Soon! Photo Gallery Above & Below (TO.P) Photography
At AFWLondon 2023 African Print Meets 3D Printing As Decadent Designer Debutes Triumphantly With Haute Couture & Creative Technology
@VictoriaOwensApparel Brought A Very Feminine Combination of African Print, Baby Pink & Fluffy White With This Glamourus Dress, Amongst The Fabulous Pieces In Her Collection
Designs By @Funke Afolabi of @Elpis Megalio Set To The Classical Music Four Seasons By Vivaldi. Aptly This Collection Is Called ‘A Nigerian Symphony’. Afolabi Includes Designs Made With The Use of 3D Printing Technology.
The Gold Detail On The Denim Jacket Worn By The 3rd Model, The Gold Detail On The Stunning Madonna-esque Corset Dress Worn By The Fourth Model And The Lobster Details On The Sleeve of The Penultimate Model Are All High Tech. This Is Truly Modern Fashion Indeed. @Funke Afolabi Technological Haute-Coutre Is Happening. You Heard It Here First. And She’s From Africa. Nigeria. And She’s Yoruba.
Giving Some Impressive Behind The Scenes Insight Designer Funke Posted The Extent of The Challenge As A First Time Designer @AFWL Which Was Very Moving.
TO.P Is Honoured To Announce That We Will Be Conducting A Follow Up Interview With This Nigerian Designer Who Designed Our Favourite Dress of The Whole Event Whole @AFWL 2023 Weekend. Largely Because We Could See Ourselves Wearing It (Made Bespoke To Our Size). Infact It Was Love At First Sight.
Dark Spinach Green Ruffles Envelope A Wide V-Shaped Neckline, With Wide Shoulder Ruffles (Great For Us Ladies With A Fullsome Bust Forever Bound By A Bra). Full Length Skirt, Cut on The Bias, With The Same Ruffles On The Hemline. And A Cinched In Waistline With A High Waistband. Just So Simply Elegant, Feminine, Stylish, Strong & Confident. It’s Divine!
Not Included In Elpis Megalios’s ‘Nigerian Symphony Collection‘ It Was A Stunning Exhibition Piece (Available To Purchase) As Displayed In One of The Various Exhibition Rooms.
As Happens With Love At First Sight We Had To Find Out More. And So Who Better To Ask Than The Amazing Designer Herself. She Her Answer In The Quote Box Opposite In The Next Column (Next To The Dress Itself).
A Plus-Size Model Walking For @House of Solana Celebrates Her Runaway Runway Success As The Audience Love Her Catwalk Performance As ‘The Lady In Red’ (… & Orange)
@VictoriaOwensApparel Showcases Powerful Pink, Blue & Gold Combinations With Matching Dress & Jacket Designer Outfit
Designer Funke @Funke Afolabi Speaking Exclusively To TheOrator,Press Explains That This “Large Circular Skirt Can Be Worn Over or Under A Dress” And Be “Styled However The Wearer Wants.”
And Regarding Our Favourite Dress Opposite She Says…
“The Trim Is Organza Ruffles.
The Waistband Is Pleated Organza Layered On Mercury Fabric.
The Patterns On The Fabric Were Hand-Printed & Hand-Dyed.
The Symbols Are African Bridal Combs, Shekere,
…With My Brand Logo. “
Haute Couture Fashion Designer, Embracing Culture, Sustainability & Technology, Olufunke Afolabi, Owner of Fashion House, Elpis Megalio, Talking With TheOrator.Press, African Fashion Week London 2023
Sexy Solid Yet See-Through Metallic Pale Silvery Blue Dress @Hertunba (By Florentina). Gold Neckless, Brown Sunglasses & Beautiful Natural Crown of Hair Add Natural Understated Self-Confidence, Power & Poise
Hertunba’s Angels. Loving The Wide Dress Strapes On The Strappy Dress In The Middle. Great For Those Amongst Us Fuller Figured Ladies Beholden To Bras, Who Nonetheless Love To Feel Feminine, Free & Fierce @Hertunba
TheOrator.Press ~ A New, Monthly, Online, Independent Magazine 