Malawi’s Alfonso leaves Wednesday for London

Malawi’s fashion designer Lilly Alfonso proved her worth on Saturday night when she unleashed 10 spectacular pieces she will carry to London, for the inaugural Anglo Nubia fashion gala.

Alfonso will be travelling to the United Kingdom on Wednesday for the night of fashion at the prestigious Millennium Gloucester Hotel in the fashion district of South Kensington in London on October 27.

Ahead of her second trip to London this summer, the designer hosted a fashion show at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe to give Malawians a chance to decide which creations she should showcase at Anglo Nubia’s ‘Africa The Experience’.

“In a tradition that is synonymous with the Lilly Alfonso brand, I organised this showcase dubbed ‘Keep the fire burning’ in respect to the motherland and let the nation decide which creations I should showcase at Africa the experience,” said the designer.

The show started on a rather slow note with few people, but it picked up though not to the expectation of many.

Nonetheless, Lilly displayed spectacular pieces of female clothes in three categories of the future is green, igniting the flames and the tie-dye revolution.  As models, including two women who have never walked on the runway until Saturday left the stage, the audience would unanimously clap hands, showing their appreciation for the designs.

“I am happy with the response I got from people and I do not take this for granted. It was their show and listening to what was happening while I was behind the scenes, it shows they have enjoyed it. They have judged and critiqued me and have chosen the best 10 out of the designs and that is of uttermost importance. I will be leaving for London on Wednesday a happy person,” she said.

Alfonso shared the stage with her 11-year-old daughter Chantel who showcased her three pieces of designs as well as Blantyre-based designer Nancy Chavi.

The event was spiced with a performance by Armstrong with a surprise appearance by Piksy.