The British Council is partnering with Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) for a second consecutive year, bringing a new cohort of ten designers from its Creative DNA fashion accelerator programme to London. The 2026 edition of AFWL is scheduled to take place from 17 to 24 August at 8 Northumberland Avenue and the British Council Headquarters.
Following the partnership’s debut in 2025, the programme continues to focus on creating international opportunities for emerging African fashion designers while strengthening connections between Africa and the UK’s creative economies.
Creative DNA forms part of the British Council’s wider work to support sustainable growth in the creative industries. The programme is designed to help fashion entrepreneurs develop their businesses, build international networks and gain greater access to global markets while remaining connected to their local creative contexts.
As part of this year’s programme, participating designers will take part in masterclasses and panel discussions examining current developments and future challenges within the fashion industry. Topics will include “Control Beyond Borders,” African fashion in higher education, and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in fashion.
The ten designers presenting through the Creative DNA programme at AFWL 2026 are:
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
Atieno Studio Kenya British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
xufan Ethiopia British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
xufan Ethiopia British Council to Africa Fashion Week London 2026 with Creative DNA
The cohort represents a broad cross-section of the Creative DNA network across Africa, encompassing disciplines and design approaches ranging from tailoring and eveningwear to swimwear and heritage-inspired fashion. Their work draws on craft traditions and cultural influences from their respective countries while engaging with international fashion audiences.
The 2026 programme follows the first British Council and AFWL collaboration in 2025, which introduced ten Creative DNA alumni and participants from Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya to audiences in London. This year’s programme builds on that collaboration with a new group of designers.
The British Council’s participation will again include a dedicated runway presentation and exhibition pavilion, providing the designers with opportunities to present their collections to buyers, press and fashion industry professionals from around the world.
“Creative DNA is about moving designers from skills to markets, and from individual potential to sustainable enterprise. Through access, collaboration and equitable partnerships between Africa and the UK, we are building the conditions in which designers can grow their businesses, influence the industry and shape the global fashion narrative on their own terms. This is how we move beyond supporting singular projects towards building stronger, more connected creative ecosystems,” said Farai Ncube Tarwireyi, Regional Arts Director, Africa, British Council.
According to the British Council, the continued partnership with AFWL is intended to provide participating designers with international connections and access to new markets, while encouraging cross-cultural learning, collaboration and business development between the UK and African creative economies.
