African fashion brings beauty and charm to Niger

For five days the capital of Niger vibrates in luxury and beauty as African Fashion International Festival, FIMA, held its 13th edition.

About fifty top models and thirty fashion designers showcase clothing, accessories and jewelry from across Africa.

Alphadi, the founder of FIMA has always given a very important place to young people in the fashion industry.

Founded in 1998, nearly half of the program is dedicated to young African talent.

Dozens of designers participated in the young designer competition.

Sun Alejandro, a Rwandan designer living in Gabon, was inspired by the cultural diversity of the Bantu – the inhabitants of Central and South Africa.

“This collection is a bit tribal code because I love Bantu culture which I think is very rich. That’s why we find panther prints in most of these clothes which are animals that are very representative of Gabon culture and which symbolize strength”, says designer Sun Alejandro.

The Top Model contest is always eagerly awaited by the public.

About twenty young men and women participated in the contest.

The event was an opportunity for newbies like Erudie Deberry from Benin to wow the public.

“Win to respect my country, I’m also very proud, win to go to other countries and travel, win to further develop my career, win for me first and also for my country, that’s all”, said shae.

The public of Niger, a Muslim-majority country, is very tolerant of other African cultures where women’s bodies are widely displayed.

But Niger designers remain deeply entrenched in Islamic culture such as sisters Adama and Aicha Seyni Seydou, creators of the Mam’Mode brand.

“A woman’s body is something very precious, even a treasure. Through our clothes, we try to highlight this body and at the same time respect the local culture,” explained the sisters.

FIMA will return to Niger in its usual splendor in 2 years.