Africa Fashion Up contest: Designers embrace Paris as launchpad to success

Valérie Ka, founder and artistic director of Africa Fashion Up with Élisabeth Moreno, former French junior minister for gender equality, diversity and equal opportunities, now chairwoman of the board of Share Africa. © Pascal Mourier

July 2023 saw the third edition of a fashion competition in Paris called Africa Fashion Up. It aims to give a platform to young, up-and-coming African talent. Five designers from across the continent presented their collections at the Musée du Quai Branly, as they celebrated local craftsmanship with a global appeal. The winner, Aristide Loua, is an Ivorian who lived in France before returning to his home country, where he spent two years reacclimatising before embracing fashion. FRANCE 24 went to meet him and the other designers.