Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi is the founder of Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), Europe’s largest fashion event promoting and nurturing African and African-inspired design talent.
Born into the Nigerian royal family of Ile-Ife, Ronke launched the first Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) in 2011 out of a desire to increase the representation of African fashion in the mainstream global fashion industry. Though Ronke initially graduated in Law from the University of West London, she never lost her passion and set up a chain of fashion retail boutiques called Rukkies in 2001. Determined to establish her dream, Ronke sold her flat in Totteridge to fund AFWL, which she says has now ‘become a household name in the UK, where 100s of African brands participate every year.’
Due to the success of the event, a sister platform in Nigeria, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria was created in 2014 and in 2022, the AFWL Mentoring scheme for Black fashion students was set up in partnership with Northampton University. The aim of the programme is to overcome systemic barriers faced by Black designers in the industry.
Refs: I sold my house in Totteridge to fund Africa Fashion Week, London – Ademiluyi – Businessday NG; Interview: Ronke Ademiluyi Founder Africa Fashion Week – Alt A Review (alt-africa.com), About – :: Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) :: (africafashionweeklondonuk.com)
