Welcome to the Africa Fashion Futures Podcast. On this research podcast series, we share insights and expertise on the fascinating world of African Fashion. You’ll hear from academics and industry experts and learn about the opportunities and innovations they see in African Fashion and the work of African designers.
Listen to all the Africa Fashion Futures podcast series on our YouTube channel.
This podcast series is supported by the African Leadership Centre, the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries and a Global Engagement Partnership Fund from King’s College London.
Dr Lauren England, Dr Eka Ikpe and Professor Roberta Comunian host the podcast — editing by Cristina Cabral.
Episode 1: Shweshwe and small business development in South Africa with Prof. Jen Snowball
This episode is a conversation with Professor Jen Snowball. Jen is a Professor of Economics at Rhodes University, South Africa and a researcher at the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO).
In this podcast, we discuss the South African Textile, Shweshwe, focusing on how intellectual property rights in the design space can have a real impact on the livelihoods of microenterprises.
Show notes
Professor Jen Snowball’s research profile
South African Cultural Observatory
Research paper: Snowball, J. and Mapuma, A., 2021. Creative industries micro-enterprises and informality: a case study of the Shweshwe sewing industry in South Africa. Journal of Cultural Economy, 14(2), pp.194-208.
Images of Shweshwe (Photos by C Cabral):
Episode 2: Africa in Fashion with Ken Kweku Nimo
Ken is a designer, brand strategist researcher and author of the book Africa in Fashion. Ken is based in Ghana but has also worked in South Africa.
In this podcast, we discuss Ken’s experience as a brand strategist, his research on African luxury fashion brands, and his journey writing the book Africa in Fashion. We also go deeper into the idea of luxury and draw out some connections between his work and the research we have carried out on lead firms in the African fashion industry.
Show notes
Book: Africa in Fashion: Luxury, Craft and Textile Heritage by Ken Kweku Nimo
Website: www.africainfashion.com
Research article: Appiah-Nimo, K., Muthambi, A. and Devey, R., 2023. Consumer-based brand equity of South African luxury fashion brands. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal
Research article: Appiah-Nimo, K., 2019. Analysing the impact of operational challenges on value perceptions of South African luxury fashion brands. Journal of Design, Business & Society, 5(2), pp.169-192.
Book Chapter: Nimo, K.K. (2023). South Africa: A Snapshot of Contemporary Fashion Retail. In: Brooksworth, F., Mogaji, E., Bosah, G. (eds) Fashion Marketing in Emerging Economies Volume II. Palgrave Studies of Marketing in Emerging Economies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. pp. 189-212
Research article: England, L., Ikpe, E., Comunian, R. and Kabir, A.J., 2021. Africa Fashion Futures: Creative economies, global networks and local development. Geography Compass, 15(9), p.e12589.
Episode 3: Africa Fashion Week with Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi
This episode is a conversation with Her Royal Majesty Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, the Founder and Producer of Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria. Africa Fashion Week London is Europe’s largest fashion event promoting and nurturing African and African-inspired design talent. In this episode we discuss the evolution of AFW and go deeper into how the organisation and Queen Ronke herself approach sustainable fashion and women’s empowerment and leadership.
Show notes
Africa Fashion Week London website
Africa Fashion Week Nigeria website
Adire Textile Hub
Africa Fashion Week London Instagram
EPISODE 4: ADIRE TEXTILE HERITAGE AND INNOVATION WITH CHIEF DR NIKE DAVIES-OKUNDAYE
This episode of the Africa Fashion Futures Podcast brings an interview with Chief Dr Nike Davies-Okundaye, an internationally renowned artist specialising in Adire textile. In this episode, we dive into Chief Dr Nike’s wealth of knowledge of both traditional and contemporary production processes for Adire. We also discuss her passion for sustainability and drive to support and empower others, particularly women, through her educational work at the Nike Art Foundation and worldwide.