Diversity in African Fashion Week ... by Anna Lanado

Beauty Professional of the Decade, as presented by Isaac Ansah, AFWT Co-Founder & CEO of Imagn Brands.

An emotional climax came with the presentation of the final award, Face of AFWT of the Decade. The winner was Racquel Hamlet, and the audience got to see first-hand the closeness of the entire AFWT team who did the presenting. Racquel probably spoke for all on stage when she said that no matter what role she is asked to play in future AFWTs, she would be there.

Other winners are listed below. • Female Model of the Decade (Nini Amerlise) Presenter: Racquel Hamlet, FACE of AFWT 2022 • Male Model of the Decade (Damilola Omotayo) Presenter: Tome, Juno Award winning singer songwriter • Fashion Photographer of the Decade (CJ Cromwell) Presenter: Yomi Atobatele, BMO Bank Manager of black entrepreneurs • Accessories Designer of the Decade (Bohten) Presenter: Francis Delsol, Trade & Investment Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Dominica • Fashion Stylist of the Decade (Yomi Styling) Presenters: Brenda Foreman (Honorary Consul for St. Kitts & Nevis / Creative Director for AFWT) & Ben Johnson (2 time Olympian medalist & International Entrepreneur) • Cosmetic Beauty Brand of the Decade (Paba Cosmetics) Presenters: Glen Joseph (Founder of AIM Academy) & Rayon Brown (President & Founder of HNIC : Helping Neighborhoods Implement Change) • Fashion Influencer of the Decade (Jalen Nelson, Lick My Fashion) Presenter: Gary Gunter (General Manager at Flow98.7)

Finally, we have been on our own journey at SMJ Magazine. We are in our tenth year of continuous publishing; the ninth anniversary just celebrated a month before AFWT. Underlying the work has been a continued dedication towards excellence. For example, we have written almost 20 stories covering almost 60 pages of AFWT content in SMJ. We were rewarded for that coverage!!

• Media Company of the Decade (SMJ Magazine) Presenters: Petrenilla Degrasse & Prince Aryee, Luvbay Radio

A decade after their inception, African Fashion Week Toronto is that ‘beacon of light’ many Canadian artists look up to as a stepping stone or plateau in elevating their creative career journey.

We at SMJ have been proud to shine our spotlight on them. We are honored that they have now shone their light on us!

By Anna Lanado

Canadian fashion enthusiasts interested in afrocentric fashion styles were ecstatic when African Fashion Week Toronto returned as an in-person event this year. From August 21 to 28, the models wearing the beautiful clothes from African designers graced the runways. On Friday the 26th they were walking a special runway in downtown Toronto at YongeDundas Square.

The talent, dedication and attention to detail that the designers put into the garments was obvious. The designs, particularly the ones that I personally saw, had the signature African emphasis on vibrant and colourful patterns. Typically, when there are too many colours in juxtaposition to each other, they tend to be overwhelming and excessive. However, the ingenious textile designs and strategic cuts of the garments ingeneously make the colours work together in a way that is exquisitely kaleidoscopic.

In addition to the excellent work put into the clothes itself, the models themselves did an amazing job in both presenting the outfits and exemplified how genuinely fun fashion shows can be. I noticed the models themselves were diverse ages and body types and they all excelled. It was evident that each of the models were having the time of their lives and also knew how to bring the best out of the garments, according to their

Consumers today are increasingly becoming more aware of what they want, that their clothes should fit the body, not the other way around. This is why there has been an influx of clothing brands reflecting the diversity of body types, with brands putting emphasis on their inclusivity. However, these are mostly newer fashion companies, appealing to a younger crowd. Most high end luxury designer brands stick to the restrictive small sizing standard and their models still reflect that. This creates a feeling of exclusivity that only some bodies are worthy and that all others should comply.

I’m very pleased that such a growing fashion event as African Fashion Week, especially in such a large fashion influential city like Toronto, respects diversity in ages and body shapes. I’m delighted that the designers behind African Fashion Week Toronto took the initiative to be one of the firsts to do so at such a great and lively show.

(Editor’s Note: Congratulations Anna on such a good first effort as a fashion writer! Anna is only fourteen years old, and comes to us courtesy of our Fashion & Design Editor, Claris C. Manglicmot.) Go to Instagram @cca_canada