Gambian/Senegalese Regina Manneh Emerges as the Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2013

REGINA MANNEH

 

The organisers of Africa Fashion Week London 2013 are delighted to announce the winner of the Face of AFWL 2013 competition as the Gambian/Senegalese model Regina Manneh. After a fierce competition on Facebook, with Nasai Forna and Vanessa Simpson taking the second and third places respectively.

Raised in Denmark, Sweden, Ivory Coast and lived in Dubai, the UK-based 24-year-old model and Interior Design student speaks English, French, Danish, Swedish and Wolof. Modelling since 2009, Regina has walked at Los Angeles Fashion Week and Dubai Fashion Week.

Regina’s role as Face of Africa Fashion Week London will see the model represent the event on all promotional material and social platforms. She will also have the opportunity to represent the organization at major African fashion and entertainment events in the UK as well as model on the runway at AFWL 2013 taking place 1-3 August 2013 at Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch, London.

“I cannot thank enough all the well wishers who voted for me around the world. I am lucky to win because all the other contestants are all very beautiful young men and women who can represent Africa very well. I am honored to compete with them and wish them all the best and continued success in their modeling careers. I am happy to be part of young aspiring African models to make a breakthrough in the industry. 
Thank you Africa Fashion Week London for providing us a platform to showcase our beauty and modelling ambitions,” said Regina of her win.

“We are very delighted to have another deserving young woman to represent this year’s event and we do hope AFWL will provide Regina Manneh an equally fruitful platform for her career as it did for last year’s winner Edith. We look forward to Regina representing Africa Fashion Week London in the UK and beyond,” said Ronke Ademiluyi, the founder and CEO of Africa Fashion Week London.

Following the unprecedented success of their sophomore event in August 2012 which attracted over 20,000 visitors over two days, in a bid to grow bigger, AFWL has not only expanded to three days but also moved to a bigger venue, Old Truman Brewery F Block.

With Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist as patrons, this year's event is set to see 100 designers on the runway and over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s massive indoor space. Once again, Africa Fashion Week London is set to be the biggest fashion event across Europe showcasing African and African-inspired fashion.

Africa Fashion Week London 2013 is also accepting applications from designers who wish to showcase on the runway and/or exhibit their merchandise over the three-day exhibition. To participate in AFWL 2013 as a designer or support the event as a sponsor, please email info@africafashionweeklondonuk.com

 

Africa Fashion Week London Seeks New Face for AFWL 2013

YINKA SHONIBARE, MBE

PRINCESS FIFI EJINDU

With a little over seven months left to Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2013 on 1^st-3^rdAugust 2013, the organizers of the annual fashion extravaganza are looking for the Face of AFWL 2013 to represent the event on all promotional material and social platforms. The winner will also have the opportunity to represent the organization at major African fashion and entertainment events in the UK as well as model on the runway at AFWL 2013.

Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2012, Edith Uba not only took part in the promotional shoot at the venue for the event Spitalfields Market but also modeled over the two days of the show and following AFWL 2012 she was signed to one of the top UK modeling agencies Strike Models.

“I could not believe that I would be given that opportunity to win it. I felt that I had accomplished something that can never be taken away from me. It made me believe in myself a lot more. It helps you to appreciate and embrace the beauty that Africa exerts and the fact I was given the chance to represent that,” said Edith of her title as the Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2012.  

“I got signed with a UK agency a few weeks after the show. I also got to meet the talented designer Tiannahstyling and I modelled for her at the Music Meets Runway 2012 fashion show in Nigeria. It helped me to understand that I have the willpower, ability and the potential to go as far as I want in this industry, its just being focused and hardworking and perseverance,” Edith added.

“Edith has been a wonderful face for Africa Fashion Week London 2012 and this year we hope to find equally talented young faces to represent Africa Fashion Week London 2013,” said Ronke Ademiluyi, founder and CEO of Africa Fashion Week London.

All interested applicants need to do is upload a collage of one full length and one portrait image and include their name, age and stats (hair and eye colour, height, dress/suit size, measurements) and spread the word to ensure they get the most number of votes. The competition is open to all young men and women between the ages 16-24. Prior modeling experience is ideal but not essential. Applications can be made on http://www.facebook.com/Africafwl/app_451684954848385

Following the unprecedented success of their sophomore event in August 2012 which attracted over 20,000 visitors over two days, in a bid to grow bigger, AFWL has not only expanded to three days but also moved to a bigger venue, Old Truman Brewery F Block.

With Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist as patrons, this year's event is set to see 100 designers on the runway and over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s massive indoor space. Once again, Africa Fashion Week London is set to be the biggest fashion event across Europe showcasing African and African-inspired fashion.

    

Africa Fashion Week London 2013 is also accepting applications from designers who wish to showcase on the runway and/or exhibit their merchandise over the three-day exhibition.  To participate in AFWL 2013 as a designer or support the event as a sponsor, please emailinfo@africafashionweeklondonuk.com