(NYASATIMES) Malawi’s designer Lilly Alfonso set for Africa Fashion Week London

Malawi’s designer Lilly Alfonso set for Africa Fashion Week London
By Kimpho Loka,
Nyasa Times
July 14, 2012

As she gets geared for her participation at the forthcoming Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) early next month, Malawi’s fashion designer, Lilly Alfonso, will on July 21 give the people of Blantyre a taste of her exquisite designs to be showcased in the UK.

Scheduled to be held at Protea Ryalls Hotel, the fashion show follows her opening exhibition in the country, which took place at the Old Town Mall in Lilongwe on June 29, named ‘Last Supper’ where she dished out a delectable selection of the ‘Lilly Alfonso’ designs. Tickets are in such high demand that people have to get theirs in advance.

“The Last Supper was a mare starter. Get ready for the main course, the dessert and the cherry on top of the dessert all served in one scrumptious package,” Lilly told Nyasa Times, saying “it’s an exclusive showcase of my AFWL (Africa Fashion Week London ) collection”.

Modelling Lilly Alfonso designer clothes

Original Malawi

According to the Italy-bred fashion designer, she will be coming out with tie and dye fabric, which are all “Original Malawi” products created from the unique art of one of the country’s fabric designers Chrissie Mijiga’s tie and dye.

“It brings me great pride and pleasure to use Mrs. Chrissie Mijiga’s tie dye fabric for my latest collection as Tie Dye is one of best fabrics I have ever come across,” points out Lilly.

She adds: “And the fact that it is an original indigenous Malawian product, produced by local women from the local community makes it that much more special. The advantage for me in using this fabric is that I will have special prints that have been custom made for my label only.”

Lilly Alfonso

‘Lilly Alfonso’ is a fashion design label that has evolved over the years to become one of the top fashion labels in Malawi. The whole phenomenon was born out of Lilly’s pure passion as a fashion designer, having discovered her passion for fashion at a very early age.

Despite the low level of development in the Malawi Fashion industry, she moved against the tide until the year 2010 when she won the Malawi Fashion Edition, popularly known as FAME, as the best fashion designer.

Lilly has been an inspiration for many women in Malawi with her clothing designs which remain current on the market trends and she possesses vast creative techniques, having a strong eye for colour, fabric, trim and embellishments.

Her work is a mixture of ethnic style with western inspiration. The first ever Malawian to earn a place to showcase her exquisitely creative designs at AFWL, Lilly is also involved in interior decorating for both houses and office.
Africa Fashion Week London

Africa Fashion Week London is one of the biggest African events based in the UK that is dedicated to celebrating the work of African inspired

Ronke Ademiluyi, founder said,“At the heart of Africa Fashion Week London is the willingness to showcase the work of African and African inspired designers to an international level audience as well as work with them to become sustainable brands. We are looking for a creative and unique talent that lives and breathes fashion.”

The two-day event, in its second edition, will hold from Friday, August 3 to Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Old Spitalfields Market, Brushfield St, London, and will feature pieces from African and Africa-inspired designers from all over the world.