Emmanuel Okoro crowned "Great Designer Africa Fashion Up 2021".

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On the evening of Friday September 17, Nigerian Emmanuel Okoro was crowned "Designer 2021" at the end of the runway show for the first edition of Africa Fashion Up. Founder and creative director of the Emmy Kasbit brand launched in 2014, Emmanuel Okoro convinced the jury as much with his clean design aesthetic and architectural cuts as with the quality of his pieces woven in akwete, a textile named after the village in eastern Nigeria. 

Emmanuel Okoro's pieces were presented alongside those of other prizewinners: Zac Koné (Côte d'Ivoire), Guy Fabrice Sullivan (Côte d'Ivoire), the duo Natasha Jaume & Carina Louw (South Africa). The pieces were presented under the watchful eye of 5 internationally renowned African designers: Imane Ayissi (Cameroon), Karim Tassi (Morocco), Martial Tapolo (Cameroon), Eric Raisina (Madagascar) and Soraya Da Piedade (Angola).

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Thanks to Africa Fashion Up, the 5 winning candidates benefited from a two-day immersion behind the scenes of the world's fashion capital through a series of visits. As a partner in the operation, the haute couture house Balenciaga opened its doors to these promising talents, offering advice and encouragement through masterclasses.

They were also welcomed into Imane Ayissi's atelier, met Sophie Erika, Business and Collection Planning Director of Kenzo Mode, and met Mr Liot, General Manager of Galeries Lafayette and his team.

Over the coming months, the 5 prizewinners will benefit from personalized support in the form of a mentoring program, offered by the haute couture house Balenciaga, and training provided by the prestigious management school HEC Paris.

In addition, Emmanuel Okoro, Designer Africa Fashion Up 2021, received a special prize from the e-commerce platform Jendaya, offering him the opportunity to showcase and sell his collection online for 1 year, as well as an exclusive collaboration with an iconic American streetwear brand.