Malawi’s designer Alfonso back to London

Barely two months after representing Malawi at the Africa Fashion Week London, designer Lilly Alfonso this month returns to the Queens land for another fashion show.

Alfonso and a few selected African designers will be hosted by Anglo Nubia, a UK based online retail company which provides a multi- level platform for designers, brands and companies inspired by the many cultures of Africa to reach an international market with their products.

An invitation letter to the Malawi designer reads: “We are writing to invite you to take part in the fashion show for Anglo Nubia. We attended the Africa Fashion Week London 2012 and were very impressed by your collection and, therefore, we would be delighted to offer you a place on the runway to showcase.”

“Anglo Nubia is giving designers the opportunity to showcase their designs to an array of individuals from buyers and fashion gurus to investors and fashion publications. Each designer will be given up to 10 exits on the runway. Anglo Nubia will be providing models, make-up artists and hair stylists for all the designers on the night. As an extra, all designers who showcase will automatically be given six months free trading on anglonubia.com, public relations support and receive invitations throughout the year to take part in our seasonal campaign photo shoots and commercials,” it further reads.

The event will be held at the prestigious Millennium Gloucester Hotel on Saturday the 27th October 2012, situated in the fashionable district of south Kensington in London. The stunning hotel has been the first choice in venue for fashion shows, for Look magazine and big fashion retailers such as Zara.

“I will be departing on the 24th and I am expected to be there by 25th October. My collection to London is tie  and dye locally made by Chrissie Mijiga and the Malawi Council for the Handicapped through the Bangwe Weaving Factory. I am delighted to use this fabric since it is original Malawian plus the advantage is the chain of people benefiting grows,” said Alfonso in an interview.

She said as a pre event to her London trip, she has organised a fashion show dubbed Three Generational fashion show on the 20th of this month at the Sunbird Capital’s pool side.

“What will happen on this day is that I will dress three different generations but, of course, with different designs. There will be a little girl, a lady in her 20s representing the now generation and a 60-year-old woman parading in my designs. The idea is to show that fashion is no respecter of age. I am looking forward to the event and I am sure people will enjoy it,” she said.