AfroXpression exhibition blends fashion, music and culture

The AfroXpression Fashion and Arts Exhibition will make its grand debut at African Sky’s in Theescombe on Saturday.

The one-day extravaganza will celebrate African creativity, culture and innovation, bringing together designers, artists and performers from across the continent.

The packed lineup features 20 designers, 17 exhibitors, five performing artists and guest designers from Zimbabwe, Malawi and Nigeria, who are set to showcase some of the best African design talent.

Event director and organiser Graham Pengapenga said the event was designed to spotlight the work of emerging designers and artists while bringing people together through a shared love of African fashion.

“The event will offer local emerging designers and artists an opportunity to showcase their work, brands, creativity and gain recognition.

“Organising this event has been a very interesting journey, having to meet and interact with various creatives from different backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, and having to share the same vision and goals, and breaking barriers through fashion.

“It’s such a good feeling to see African people coming together as one family being united by fashion,” Pengapenga said.

In addition to the runway shows, attendees can look forward to an exhibition and marketplace in the morning featuring African crafts, fashion pieces and artworks.

The fashion runway show will then take place in the afternoon, highlighting bold designs that blend tradition with contemporary African flair.

Malawian designer Everson Matewere, who will be showcasing at the event, said it presented a good platform to grow design knowledge and appreciation.

“The collection that we will be showcasing is called Flames.

“The reason why we came up with the name is that it contains some of the designs that have been burning in our hearts to create for such a long time, and the flames are also the symbol of the country that I am representing, Malawi.

“It took me almost two months to work on the collection.

“It will be amazing to showcase alongside my fellow designers across Africa, and I am looking forward to learning and gaining something from them,” Matewere said.

Gqeberha-based performer, Tapiwa Rudo Chokuda, who will also be performing at the show, shared what audiences could expect from their performance and reflected on the experience of collaborating with fellow creatives.

“I will be performing a set with a select few of my original songs.

“The pieces are carefully crafted into modern-day soulful storytelling with a groove to it.

“The music on its own is inspired by the complexity of human emotions and the need to feel and experience them all.

“I provide an environment for my listeners to be in a safe yet uncomfortable space within the sound.

“This is carefully crafted into my Shona heritage and love for African music,” Chokuda said.

Tickets for the show are R250 each and are available on Quicket.com

The Herald