A look from Hub of Africa Fashion Week’s 15th anniversary edition in Addis Ababa. (Photo courtesy: HAFW)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Updated: January 19th, 2026
Scenes From Hub of Africa Fashion Week’s 15th Anniversary in Addis Ababa
ADDIS ABABA (TADIAS) — Hub of Africa Fashion Week (HAFW) has concluded its 15th anniversary edition in Addis Ababa, marking a significant milestone for one of the continent’s longest-running fashion platforms. Held at the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, the multi-day program brought together designers, creatives, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond, reinforcing the city’s growing role as a regional fashion and cultural hub.
This year’s edition opened with a showcase by luxury leather brand SAMRA Leather, a long-standing member of the HAFW community. The presentation set a reflective tone for the anniversary, emphasizing craftsmanship, continuity, and the value of building African brands with long-term vision.
Beyond the runway, HAFW continued its focus on industry development and exchange. A closed-door Core Fashion Roundtable Talk, led by Linda Murithi of The Core Fashion Kenya, convened designers, manufacturers, sourcing agents, and UK-based PR professionals to discuss production systems, market access, and sustainable growth within Africa’s fashion ecosystem. The session also marked The Core Fashion Kenya’s first Fashion Tour centered on sourcing in Ethiopia.
Another highlight was the CDNA 3.0 Ethiopian Designers Showcase, presented in partnership with the British Council. Ten Ethiopian fashion start-ups presented their work as part of the Creative DNA (CDNA) programme, now in its third year, which supports early-stage designers through mentorship, skills development, micro-grants, and access to markets.
The runway presentations featured a cross-continental lineup blending emerging and established talent, including designers from Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, and beyond. The shows drew a diverse audience of diplomats, creatives, and fashion enthusiasts, underscoring the platform’s international reach.
The week concluded with a pop-up marketplace, allowing designers to engage directly with the public and extending the impact of the event beyond the runway.
Reflecting on the milestone, HAFW founder Mahlet Teklemariam noted that the platform began fifteen years ago with the goal of creating space for African fashion to be seen, valued, and taken seriously—both locally and globally. Today, the event continues to evolve through collaboration, mentorship, and sustained investment in creative communities.
Photos from the 15th edition of Hub of Africa Fashion Week below.
The 15th edition of Hub of Africa Fashion Week opened with a showcase by luxury leather brand SAMRA Leather, a long-standing member of the HAFW community. (Photo courtesy: HAFW)
(Photo courtesy: HAFW)
A runway presentation during Hub of Africa Fashion Week’s 15th anniversary edition in Addis Ababa. (Photo courtesy: HAFW)
(Photo courtesy: HAFW)
Participants during a Core Fashion Roundtable Talk at Hub of Africa Fashion Week’s 15th anniversary edition in Addis Ababa. (Photo courtesy: HAFW)
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Related:
TADIAS Q&A: Mahlet Teklemariam Reflects on 15 Years of Hub of Africa Fashion Week
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