A Record Number of Applications for an Outstanding Edition
The success of the 2026 edition is measured first and foremost in numbers. This year, Africa Fashion Up 2026 received a record 714 applications from 49 countries across the African continent.
Following a rigorous selection process, only four winners from South Africa, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire were chosen to join this elite program and fly to Paris to present their collections.
Held at the Musée du quai Branly, this fashion show was part of a unique cultural collaboration in Paris, directly complementing the global traveling exhibition *Africa Fashion*, which was on view in the capital at the same time.
The 2026 Award Winners: Four Winners, Four Distinct Writing Styles
The jury honored four brands with strong identities that exemplify the richness, complexity, and stylistic diversity of the African continent:
1. Mzukisi Mbane – Imprint South Africa – Best Designer Africa Award 2026
- The award: Presented by Annika Mohr Storfält, Global Director of Sustainability at Balenciaga.
- Identity: At the forefront of South African design, the Imprint South Africa brand has distinguished itself through its unapologetically Afro-futuristic aesthetic. Through vibrant, narrative prints and highly modern, sculptural silhouettes, Mzukisi Mbane redefines luxury ready-to-wear with undeniable visual impact.
2. Mpumelelo Dhlamini – Ezokhetho – Special Jury Prize
- The Award: Presented by Clarisse Reille, Executive Director of DEFI andIFTH.
- Identity: Another leading South African designer, Ezokhetho stands out for the profound poetry of her textile storytelling. Mpumelelo Dhlamini conceives her collections as living stories, where the choice of materials and the fluidity of the draping stand out as a vibrant tribute to cultural heritage and its transmission.
3. Esther Okonta – Estaz – Young Designer Award
- The Award: Presented by Alexandre Liot, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of operations on the Galeries Lafayette Executive Committee.
- Brand Identity: Hailing from Nigeria, designer Esther Okonta offers, through her label Estaz, a particularly elegant contemporary women’s collection characterized by ethical sourcing and responsible manufacturing techniques.
4. William Kouakou Mackenzie & Thierry Bohui Aguy – Maison Kanty’s – Eco-Responsible Award
- The Award: Presented by Éléonore Caroit, Minister Delegate for the Francophonie, International Partnerships, and French Citizens Abroad.
- Identity: The Ivorian duo behind Maison Kanty’s won over the jury with their eco-conscious and sustainable vision of fashion. By skillfully combining luxury upcycling, a respect for natural fibers, and excellent craftsmanship, they prove that West Africa’s textile leadership hinges on environmental innovation.
Alongside these four award winners, the renowned Madagascan fashion designer Éric Raisina also shone on the runway, presenting an exclusive and colorful capsule collection that showcased his legendary mastery of silk craftsmanship.
Between Luxury, Diplomacy, and Influence
More than 400 handpicked guests attended this exceptional evening, which brought together the most influential figures from the worlds of diplomacy, major institutions, and the global luxury industry.
Among the attendees were leading executives from the fashion and jewelry industries, such as Gianfranco Gianangeli, CEO of Balenciaga, and Touhfa Rahali-Tellier, President of EMEA at Boucheron, Claire Coletti, Global Sustainability Director at Guerlain, and Vanessa Moungar, Group VP of Social Responsibility & Inclusion at LVMH.
Pan-African culture and influence were also championed by stunning ambassadors such as Olivia Yacé (Miss Côte d’Ivoire 2021 and 2nd runner-up in Miss World 2022), Clémence Botino (Miss France 2020), and Flora Coquerel (Miss France 2014).
Prominent social media influencers such as Coach Hamond Chic, Sophy Aiida, Aïssa Moments, and Simiane Tatu also widely promoted the event to their global communities, while artists like Blaqbonez and Yann Antonio set the tone for the evening with top-notch musical performances.
From Brand Visibility to Industrial Brand Structuring
What makes Africa Fashion Up uniquely strong is its refusal to limit itself to a mere, short-lived public relations event. The program serves as a genuine tool for long-term business growth for designers.
Throughout Fashion Week, the four winners took part in an intensive business immersion program in Paris:
- Balenciaga: The prestigious luxury fashion house offered a customized entrepreneurial mentorship program to help designers manage their growth.
- HEC Paris: Teams and alumni from the HEC network led masterclasses on positioning strategy and profitability analysis for their brands.
- Istituto Marangoni Paris: This leading fashion school has put its expertise to work for designers through workshops in design and applied art direction.
As Gianfranco Gianangeli, CEO of Balenciaga, points out:
“Through its commitment, the House contributes to the development of creativity in fashion by supporting emerging African designers on their entrepreneurial journey.”
Changing Perspectives, Conquering Markets
By bringing together, for its $6^{\text{e}$ By bringing together the biggest players in the luxury industry with a new generation of talent from Africa and its diaspora, Africa Fashion Up demonstrates that African fashion has everything it needs to conquer the world’s most selective retail channels.
From Maison Kanty’s eco-conscious rigor to Imprint’s boldness, the winners of the 2026 class no longer need permission to show in Paris: they’ve made their mark there through the sheer power of their creativity and vision.
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