Hub of Africa Fashion Week 2025: Skateboards, Circus Acts & A New Era for Ethiopian Fashion!

Addis Ababa was on fire this weekend, and it wasn’t just the city’s vibrant energy—it was the dazzling 14th edition of Hub of Africa Fashion Week (HAFW) 2025, setting the Millennium Hall ablaze with electrifying fashion moments!

The two-day spectacle proved once again why HAFW is the beating heart of African fashion, drawing in over 2,000 fashion lovers, creatives, and industry insiders from across Ethiopia, Kenya, Cameroon, the DRC, and even as far as Moscow. But make no mistake—this was more than just a fashion week. It was a movement.

Creative DNA Stuns with Fearless Fashion

One of the biggest show-stoppers? The Creative DNA cohort, featuring nine phenomenal Ethiopian designers backed by the British Council. These visionaries took the runway by storm, serving up bold color explosions, avant-garde cuts, and fearless storytelling through fashion. The collections weren’t just clothes; they were statements, shaking up the very essence of African design.

Fashion Meets Business: Power Panel Steals the Spotlight

What’s fashion without business? The power-packed panel discussion, “The Business of Fashion: Trading in Africa and Beyond,” brought heavyweights together—from the Ministry of Industry and Englehorn Group Germany to top designers MAFI MAFI and Kabana. With DHL and Linda Murithi of The Core Kenya in the mix, the talk wasn’t just industry chatter—it was a blueprint for taking African fashion to global dominance.

Mastering the Art of Branding

A major takeaway from HAFW? Fashion is more than just threads—it’s a language. Designers were treated to a masterclass on branding led by Alexander Akande, unlocking the secrets of visual storytelling and fashion identity. Because in today’s digital age, it’s not just about what you create—it’s about how you sell the dream.

From Skateboards to Circus Acts – The Unforgettable Showstoppers

And just when attendees thought they’d seen it all, Fekat Circus, backed by Alliance Française, flipped the script! The surprise circus act injected pure magic into the event, proving that fashion is truly an immersive experience.

Then came Kushineta, the streetwear brand that redefined the runway! Their models? Fearless female skateboarders, gliding effortlessly down the catwalk, oozing confidence, power, and unshakable attitude. The message was crystal clear—fashion is not just about looking good; it’s about pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and owning your story.

Shop the Runway – Fashion at Your Fingertips

Capping off the event was the Shop the Runway pop-up marketplace at the Hyatt Regency, where fashionistas got to snag the hottest designs straight from the runway. No waiting, no middleman—just raw, unfiltered fashion, fresh off the catwalk and into the closets of Africa’s most stylish trendsetters.

A Future Bright with Fashion

None of this magic would have been possible without Waridi Schrobsdorff of Fashion Africa 254, an industry maven who has been shaping the event’s direction since 2014. And let’s not forget Vogue Italia, with Sennait Ghebreab, ensuring that African fashion gets the global limelight it deserves.

With unwavering support from the British Council, Alliance Française, the Ministry of Industry, and The Core Kenya, HAFW 2025 was more than just a success—it was a revolution in motion.

As the curtains close on this unforgettable edition, one thing is certain: African fashion isn’t coming. It’s already here. And Hub of Africa Fashion Week? It’s the pulse pushing it forward.

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