Alek Wek headlines Africa Fashion Week finale

By Kalungi Kabuye

WE knew she was in town, but it still took everybody by surprise when South Sudan-born supermodel Alek Wek took to the catwalk as the 5th Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa drew to a close on Saturday night in the City Hall in Pretoria, South Africa.

She got a standing ovation from the packed crowd that came to witness the finale of the four-day event that saw more than 30 designers from at least 15 African designers showcase.

“I’m glad to be here and do the catwalk in front my fellow Africans,” Wek told the media afterwards. “We can use fashion as a force of positive change in Africa to improve the lives of many of our brothers and sisters.”

The finale had designers from Senegal, Ghana, Angola, South Africa and Sweden showcase, and the very last show was held at the city’s Freedom Park, around a fountain but was more of a laser light show than a fashion experience.

Among the models that took to the catwalk were Uganda’s South African based Patricia Laloyo, and 2008 Face of Africa winner Kate Mensah.

East Africa was represented by designers from Kenya (Rift Valley Weather), Tanzania (Missibaba and Mustafa Hassanali) and Rwanda (Mille Collines). There was no designer from Uganda.

The next Africa Fashion Week will take place next year in November.