KAFART was founded in Kaduna State, Nigeria, in 2019, with the desire to bring communities together, and a readiness to improve the creative landscape in northern Nigeria and beyond.
By Sybil Fekurumoh
To celebrate creativity, and promote African arts, fashion, and cultural diversity, the Kaduna Fashion, and Arts Exhibition (KAFART) returns with its third edition which is set to hold from the 10th to 13th of November, 2022. The theme of this year’s exhibition is Cultural Xchange: The Intersection.
KAFART realises the disconnect that exists among Africans, even as the region shares similarities in culture, beliefs, and values, and to that end, celebrates these cultural similarities and differences in Sahel Africa, with arts and fashion serving as a means of building stronger connections among Africans.
The exhibition will feature additional activities such as workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, pop-up shops, and a fashion show. This showcase would be held in Kaduna state, northern Nigeria, and gathers its talent from leading creatives from across the Sahel region and beyond. It also brings on social discourses that affect the region.
KAFART also understands the challenge of misinformation and the one-sided narrative that is projected about the Sahel region to the rest of the world and sets out to counter that narrative through its exhibitions by showcasing the richness of the culture and heritage of the region.
KAFART was founded in Kaduna State, Nigeria, in 2019, with the desire to bring communities together, and a readiness to improve the creative landscape in northern Nigeria and beyond. It provides creatives a platform for self-expression while also presenting the largely underrepresented African cultures. It also understands the need to protect the environment, and as such, encourages environmental safety awareness among creatives and promotes the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials in their creations.
KAFART believes that it is possible to re-imagine the future and redefine the past while acknowledging and embracing culture and traditions as they remain relevant to today’s society.
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Africa’s emerging fashion brands set to showcase at the event include Geometric Motion by Machar Laushi, Listo Creation by Alio Gounabi, Hafmar Designs by Susu, Babayo by Aisha Babayo Shehu, Islet Culture by Keren Zubairu, Sudanese brand, NUCY by Nafisa Hafiz, Gabon-originated Romzy by Roméo Moukagny, Malian owned JK Dressing, and Senegalese Nio Far by Milcos.
The 3rd edition of KAFART is supported by the ACP-Culture, Institut Français, EU, the Koré Cultural Center, Ségou, Mali, Berlin Art Institute, and Visionary Art Collective. This event is also supported by Afrocritik Media.
Tickets are available here.