FASHION
AFRICA
254

"Kubadilisha mawazo"
Changing minds

About FA254

Fashion Africa 254 is a Berlin-based Fashion Office founded in 2013. We introduce and promote African creative brands into the European market through Brand Consulting, Public Relations, and E-Commerce.

At Fashion Africa 254, we create strategic partnerships between various talents from the African continent and established European entities.

Why 254? +2 is the area code connecting all 54 vibrant African

Our Mission

“Innovation and exchange as a channel for transformation”

At Fashion Africa 254, we believe in innovation and interaction as a channel for transformation. A creative mind not only shapes the future but strongly influences today.

Initiatives surrounding education, businesses, and artistic collaborations are necessary for the viability and thriving of the creative industries. Our mission is to shift the conversation and craft a new portrayal for the African continent.

OUR TEAM

Waridi Wardah

CEO/Founder

The brainchild behind Fashion Africa 254 and the Mtindo Book is former Top Model Waridi – Wardah.
Waridi was born in Kenya and has been living in Berlin since 1993. Over the past 25 years, Waridi has built herself a thriving career in the international fashion business by branding Africa by discovering and promoting young and aspiring creatives via her ADFT series.
“Kubadilisha Mawazo”
Changing minds

Yaw Dabanka

External Project Manager

Yaw Dabanka has 20+ years of experience in the fashion industry. Born and raised in Germany to Ghanaian parents, he has worked and lived in various countries: Germany, Ghana, and the Netherlands, developing a sound knowledge of multi-cultural and functional business practices. His expertise ranges from brand development to consulting and strategic advisory.

Lusanda Kori

Community Manager

Lusanda is a South African born creative, she is a filmmaker working as a freelance production Coordinator/Manager. She has experience in the advertising industry as an Account Manager. She owns her own fashion label called Ntombobom Designs, a brand that celebrates Xhosa culture by giving traditional Xhosa attire a very modern twist.

Mariami Apriamashvili

Communication Manager

Mariami Apriamashvili is a student majoring in International Relations and Development in. Currently based in France, Mari is passionate about working in multicultural teams. Her responsibility at FA254 includes holding and keeping communications between the team and the FA254 partners as well as document administration.

Lulit Amdemariam

External Production Manager

Lulit Amdemariam is the External Product Manager based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is an established writer and journalist with 12 years of experience in fashion curation and artistic direction.

TESTIMONIALS

During the jury of African Designers for Tomorrow it was very interesting for me to see how young African designers incorporate their traditions in their work. That was what impressed me most from Doreen Mashika design. Her clothes are young, fresh, positive and alive.

Christiane ArpEditor-In-Chief Vogue Germany

It is more than time that this exploited continent fights back with the weapon of creativity and style. What this wonderful example of only one country in Africa shows is what is going on in the whole continent. A peaceful revolution!

Reiner OpokuCo-Founder, Art Consultant of Parley for the Oceans

Africa is in a creative evolution and through the eyes of Daniele you can see how the new generation stands out and wants to show the beauty of this continent. Designers, artists and all those people with a creative vision have a unique imagination and this is what is so special of scouting in Africa!

SARA MAINOSenior Editor and Head of Vogue Talents at Vogue Italy

I am grateful to have known Waridi for more than 15 years. Her unstoppable energy and dedication in bringing awareness to the beauty and the immense creative potential of the African continent is admirable. She shows that through belief, vision, hard work and empowerment, the future of Africa is now.

KATE MERKLEConcious and Transformative Consulting

With ‘MTINDO – Rebranding Africa photographer Daniele Tamagni and Waridi Schrobsdorff provide all of us with a closer and compelling view of fashion in progress in Waridi’s native Kenya. Meet the Style Movers – young personalities at home in the arts, media, and digital world. See the creations of a new generation of designers. And understand why they all believe Africa is now.

Melissa DrierGerman Correspondent at Women’s Wear Daily