Famed for foreshadowing emerging UK based designers of African fashion, AFWL2026 has unveiled David Wej, House of Estree, Mary Martin London and Add an Apron as headliners in this year’s show.
This summer, AFWL2026 returns to London with a catwalk, exhibition and live show this August 2026.
This year’s show places a renewed emphasis on supporting designers and brands as they prepare for global markets, stronger systems, and sustainable growth.
In its 16 years since launch, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has quietly amassed some seriously impressive stats. The yearly event has hosted more than 3,000 emerging and established designers and exhibitors and 80,000 visitors, including buyers, retailers, industry professionals and global media. Overall, 26 African countries and 67 countries have been represented, including diaspora designers from Brazil, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas.
Image credit: AFWL2026
Africa: The Fashion Continent: A fashion tribute to African designers
What started as a platform for visibility has become a global fashion ecosystem, one that connects creativity with business, culture with strategy, and talent with opportunity. As Founder, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, describes:
“Africa Fashion Week London’s annual catwalk and exhibition event is one of the world’s largest and longest-running showcases of African and African-inspired fashion & design.
“African fashion has never lacked creativity. What we have worked toward over the last 16 years is structure — helping designers move from visibility to viability, and from applause to longevity.
“This August, we introduce a new wave of designers and creative forces shaping the future of African fashion, from precision tailoring and global menswear to cultural powerhouses and statement-led womenswear.”
Read on for a first look at some of the catwalk designers showcasing at this year’s AFWL2026 event.
David Wej UK @ AFWL2026
David Wej UK brings a refined, global perspective to African menswear where precision tailoring meets cultural identity. Renowned for signature jacquard suits, elevated shirting, and luxury detailing, the brand has built a reputation for dressing men who lead with quiet confidence.
With a growing international footprint and a London flagship store in Soho, David Wej UK represents the evolution of African luxury – clean, intentional, and globally relevant.
Mary Martin London @ AFWL2026
An internationally acclaimed designer with a legacy that commands attention, Dame Mary Martin returns to AFWL as a true force of cultural and creative power. Known for her bespoke, red-carpet designs worn by global celebrities, her work is rooted in storytelling, identity, and bold expression.
From sold-out catwalks across multiple continents to making history at the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Mary’s presence is more than fashion – it’s an impact. Get ready for a collection that delivers confidence, heritage, and unexpected showstoppers.
House of Estree @ AFWL2026
House of Estree arrives at AFWL2026 as more than a showcasing designer; it is a fully realised cultural ecosystem. Based in London, this multi-concept hub brings together ready-to-wear fashion, handcrafted accessories, art, and Afrocentric design, all under one roof.
At its core, House of Estree is about connection, empowering designers, supporting artisans, and creating space for African creativity to thrive. Their presence at AFWL is immersive, intentional, and rooted in community, offering a powerful bridge between heritage and modern expression.
Funke Adepoju: “A fashion brand that showcases the best of Africa”
Add An Apron @ AFWL2026
Add An Apron is a design concept that transforms the everyday into statement fashion through a single, powerful idea – the apron, reimagined.
Hailing from both Wales and Trinidad, the brand blurs the lines between utility and style and elevates this functional garment into a bold accessory that adds structure, identity, and edge to any look.
Rooted in creativity and versatility, Add An Apron invites wearers to personalise their style, turning layering into an art form and proving that even the simplest piece can redefine an entire outfit.
More details: Africa Fashion Week London 2026
Catwalk and Exhibition: Monday 17 – Thursday 20 August
Venue – The British Council, Stratford Cross, London E20 1JQ
Live Show: Saturday 22 – 23 August
Venue – TBC
