Johnnie Walker’s Afro Exchange puts African creativity in the spotlight at Bold Fashion Week

What the report says

Designers and fashion industry figures from across Africa gathered in Kampala for the first Bold Fashion Week, a two-day event held at Motiv in Bugolobi and supported by Johnnie Walker through its Afro Exchange platform. According to Nile Post, the event was designed to showcase African creativity while also creating room for collaboration, networking and idea-sharing among participants.

The runway brought together 10 designers, including several Ugandan labels as well as Nigerian designer Yemi Shoyemi. The programme highlighted a mix of established and emerging talent, with collections presented to an audience of creatives, buyers and other industry players. The atmosphere was framed by African-inspired music, while attendees wore bold fashion looks that reflected the event’s wider celebration of contemporary African style.

Nile Post reported that Johnnie Walker partnered with Bold in Africa and Malembe Lifestyle to host guests with cocktails and provide a setting for conversations across the creative sector. The brand said its Afro Exchange initiative is meant to connect fashion, music and art communities across the continent and help ideas move beyond national borders.

Beyond the runway, the event included mentorship and discussions on branding, business development and access to markets, underscoring the practical challenges facing designers as they try to build sustainable businesses. It ended with a retail marketplace in partnership with the Kampala Artisan Market, giving visitors a chance to buy directly from participating designers.