TRAINING AND SUPPORT 2025 wlia@shareafrica.live November 30, 2025

TRAINING AND SUPPORT 2025

AN EXCEPTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR WINNERS​​​​

During their visit to Paris, the five young African designers who won Africa Fashion Up 2025 benefited from a unique training program, developed with the support of leading partners in the fashion, luxury, and entrepreneurship industries.

Balenciagakicked off the program with a day of masterclasses dedicated to the fundamentals of brand creation and structuring a sustainable fashion project. The fashion house also supports each winner with a four-month mentoring program, in close collaboration with Africa Fashion Up. HEC Paris, a renowned business school, offers each designer individualized training focused on development strategy, brand positioning, and entrepreneurship. Istituto Marangoni, a major academic partner, is offering specialized training in fashion and beauty to the 2025 grand prize winner for the first time, marking a decisive step forward in the professionalization process. The designers also participated in an exclusive masterclass at Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann, led by the sales team, on the expectations of the luxury market, distribution strategies, and managing a point of sale in a department store.

In addition, Orange Digital Centers support winners in technological areas: mastery of digital tools, online visibility, and integration of digital issues into brand strategy.​

Finally, participants took part in an immersive program of meetings and visits at the heart of the Parisian and international fashion ecosystem. This ambitious initiative is a fitting showcase for the talent revealed by Africa Fashion Up, supporting a new generation of African designers who are set to make their mark on the international stage.

THE JOURNEY 

An exceptional program designed to strengthen their expertise, expand their network, and increase their visibility on an international scale.​

  • Masterclass with Balenciaga's management team, focusing on creative strategy, brand positioning, and international development.

  • Masterclass at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, led by the sales team, on luxury market expectations, distribution strategies, and managing a point of sale in a department store.

  • Participation in the official launch of the Africa Fashion Up – Africa Now sale at Galeries Lafayette.

  • Immersive training at the Istituto Marangoni, with visits to workshops and educational discussions on contemporary creative issues.

  • Round table at the Istituto Marangoni, in partnership with HEC and SFI, dedicated to the challenges of creative entrepreneurship and brand structuring.

  • Personalized mentoring with experts from HEC Paris, at the offices of 35°Nord, to refine each winner's strategic vision.

  • Introductory session with Orange Digital Centers, focusing on digital skills development, digital communication, and the use of technology to grow a brand in a globalized environment.

  • Training session at Google's headquarters in Paris, including a presentation of the digital tools offered by the platform and an in-depth discussion with their teams on online visibility strategies tailored to young fashion brands.​​

  • Meeting with the management team at Maison Guerlain and tour of the legendary 68 Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

  • Private tour of Galeries Lafayette, behind-the-scenes look at the department store, and discussion of business opportunities for young designers.

  • Televised meetings and interviews with France Médias Monde, Trace offering creators an international platform to share their vision and their journey.