Cultural entrepreneur Reni Folawiyo takes us on an inspiring journey through the making and becoming of Alara — a revolutionary concept store with no playbook, created to redefine African luxury on the world stage.

Yagazie Emezi, renowned photographer and multidisciplinary artist, will break down how to use fashion imagery as a powerful tool for storytelling. With her background in photojournalism, she will share how to approach fashion photography with the intention to build visual stories that carry cultural weight, social relevance, and artistic purpose.

Abasiekeme Ukanireh, founder and creative director of the brand Eki Kéré, shares her journey of exploration and experimentation in building a circular fashion brand.

Nkwo Onwuka, founder and creative director of the brand NKWO, shares essential principles and practical solutions for building a brand with circularity at its core.

Fashion is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon shaped by the interplay of various factors, including political and social structures, cultural influences, gender roles, individual aspirations, and evolving consumer practices. For emerging brands, aligning with broader societal shifts is often a key strategy to gain visibility and connect with a wider audience. This masterclass, led by fashion expert and Paris Design School instructor Jean-Marc Chauve, delves into the essential strategies for understanding target markets and adapting to them. It explores how brands can engage with major societal changes while maintaining a distinct identity, the risks of opportunism, and the challenge of sustaining a brand in the long term when social movements can be fleeting or unpredictable.

THE PURPOSEFUL CREATOR Creativity is a fundamental human drive that shapes how we generate and perceive ideas, concepts, and possibilities. It plays a pivotal role in creating meaning, solving problems, and fostering social connections. Yet, many individuals struggle to fully harness their creative potential. This masterclass introduces the concept of Intentional Creativity—the conscious activation of this universal drive. Led by award-winning Creative Director Niyi Okuboyejo, you will explore the multifaceted nature of creativity and learn how to engage its processes with purpose and intention.

SELLING AND EXPANDING INTERNATIONALLY Sylvie Pourrat has over 30 years of professional experience in the fashion industry, and is a key player of the WSN group which gathers some of the most renown fashion tradeshows worldwide like Who's Next and Première Classe in Paris.

AFRICA - A DESIGNER'S UTOPIA This masterclass delves into Nifemi Marcus Bello ongoing research that celebrates the unsung heroes of design - products that silently shape our cities, improve lives, and embody the spirit of ingenuity.

STRUCTURING CRAFT STUDIOS This is an essential masterclass for fashion professionals who work with artisans and develop collections highlighting traditional textiles, for atelier managers and for all those interested in valorizing local know-how. This masterclass looks at the key elements involved in building a virtuous ecosystem that respects people and their values, as well as the demands of brands and international standards. Mariama has a pragmatic approach of an African entrepreneur whose workshops, based in Côte d'Ivoire, have been working with the biggest brands over ten years. In conversation with Emmanuelle Courrèges, journalist.