African Fashion is on the Rise

African Fashion is on the Rise, says Naomi Campbell: ‘And it’s About Time!’

By Hannah Marrio

Models display designs by Weiz Dhurm Franklyn (far left and far right), DNA by Iconic Invanity (second left) and Bibi (third left) during the Arise fashion week in Lagos, Nigeria. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

winner, said Campbell. It was particularly important as the wider world slowly woke up to Africa’s creativity and spending power.

“There has, in the past, been the wrong perception about the continent and the creativity that comes out of it,” she said. “Right about now, everyone’s kind of got it, fi nally – for example, that Nigeria is one of the biggest emerging markets with the under-30s, so everyone is looking in this direction

what-happens-if-humanitys-ranks-start-to-shrink). But we don’t want Africa to be considered as a trend.

“These designers are fi nally getting the notoriety that they deserve – and they are going to keep their notoriety.”

Supporting African designers working in innovative and sustainable ways is just one way to propel fashion towards positive change post

African Fashion - from page 11

be the new reset, we will give her a proper sendoff .” Otherwise, in lockdown, “I have enjoyed my little Covid-19. “People want aff ordable, sustainable cocoon. I’ve tried not to have any expectations fashion – and that’s what we are trying to do here,” – living within one day and then the other day; said the model. learning patience, because this is not going to

The notoriously white and privileged fashion disappear as quickly as we would like it to; and business must also be inclusive if it is to reset in a understanding that being alone doesn’t mean you positive way. Campbell has been speaking out on are lonely.” this subject for decades, long before the industry’s She has also spent time fi lming her YouTube recent outpouring of apologies and diversity show, No Filter with Naomi (www.youtube.com/ strategies in the wake of the Black Lives Matter playlist?list=PLO8oLXyVfZIALUMLhFMamAwwLQEiNtC movement. kM), learning to rig her own lights and delving into

“It’s kind of embarrassing, in 2020, to fi nally her impressive contacts book for guests; a recent have all of this happen, to wake up to that. You tete-a-Zoom with Mariah Carey was particularly should have been doing that already – that’s my memorable. While fi lming, she is as partial to opinion. I have not really taken part in any of waist-up dressing as the rest of the world: “I these discussions because I fi nd them a little bit have really lived in kaftans and sweats. I only get insulting,” said Campbell. dressed when I have to do No Filter, and then I’m

“I’ve been pushing this thing for so many years, only dressed from the top up, with my slippers on so now, for me, there is no change. What I’m doing the bottom – happy feet!” is exactly what I was doing before this movement It was on her YouTube channel in July 2019 that started – and I’m going to continue. It’s what I Campbell revealed what now feels like an eerily believe in, basically.” prescient pre-fl ight hygiene routine, in which she

Did Campbell feel these latest pronouncements laboriously wiped every surface of the plane that were signifi cant and real? “We’ll see. If they make might touch her body with anti-bacterial wipes. noise about it, and it’s publicly known, you can hold In March, she took this a step further, fl ying them to it, can’t you? But I do believe in action and home for the fi rst lockdown wearing a full hazmat not words. Still, I try to keep suit accessorised with a optimistic.” Burberry cape. The cape

What was exciting, she has since been donated said, was the global youth to an as yet undisclosed movement. “They have found museum where it will be their voices, and they are presented as a defi ning speaking out and demanding object of this bizarre year, what they want. And they are but she will fl y in hazmat change.” suits for the foreseeable

Campbell has had a future, including for the strange, sad year, after the journey home from Lagos: death of her grandmother, to “It’s nice that no one looks whom she was very close. at me like a mad hatter any “This time has been tough for more.” people to grieve together,” she said, with Covid rules preventing a signifi cant funeral. “She was so loved. Once we get the vaccine, or whatever it is that is going to Naomi Campbell with her grandma Ruby Louise Campbell Russell. Photograph: @ naomi/Instagram www.theguardian.com/ fashion/2020/dec/13/ african-fashion-is-on-therise-says-naomi-campbelland-its-about-time