As the curtain draws on Afro Fashion Show UK 2025, this year’s edition will, unarguably, live on in the minds of the audiences who experienced spectacular fashion shows, especially the dazzling display of creativity and cultural pride by Styledbyzk.

Held on July 5 in Hilton Deansgate, Manchester, the Afro Fashion Show is an annual celebration of fashion, culture, and community, dedicated to championing diversity, innovation, and positive impact within the fashion industry.

Since its debut in 2019, Styledbyzk, founded by Kolawole Zainab, has been redefining the African fashion landscape, transforming Ankara, Adire, and Aso Oke from traditional symbols into dynamic expressions of daily fashion and global artistry.

Her deep commitment to rewriting the narrative of African fashion through bold innovation and cultural pride has earned her recognition for seamlessly blending traditional African fabrics with modern silhouettes, captivating a global audience with her innovative designs.

Across the globe, her designs have continued to celebrate African culture, identity, and bold colours, drawing admiration for intricate patterns and significance.

A Fashion Show With Magical Display, Expression

At the event, Styledbyzk captivated the crowd who gathered at the show with stunning and innovative collections, reaffirming her brand’s unique commitment to championing Africa’s fashion and culture. The brand’s ‘Woven to Express’ collection reflects the mood, identity, and spirit of the African woman.

Styledbyzk stole the spotlight at the fashion runway, enchanting the crowd with vibrant colours and styles with a touch of storytelling that give unique recognition to Africa’s fashion legacy on the global stage. Unarguably, her display of haute couture in different dresses turns heads and hearts alike as African identity takes centre stage in an unforgettable runway experience.

The dresses include silhouettes and textures, deeply rooted in African identity. One design features a clustered, voluminous hem, symbolising the texture and strength of African hair, its fullness, waves, and boldness.

Another features Ankara tassels and fringe, which sway as the wearer moves, capturing how African women love to be expressive, bold, and unapologetically stylish.

Also, the colour palette centres around yellow, symbolising joy, energy and vibrancy, the same feeling that fills the streets of Lagos on a Saturday when women step out after a long week of hustle, creating a moment of celebration, freedom, and shine.

“This collection represents a turning point in my journey as a designer. It’s not just about beautiful clothes, it’s about storytelling, purpose, and identity. I’m no longer just creating looks, I’m telling stories, asking questions, and designing with intention,” Zainab shared, adding that each piece displayed at the fashion runway communicated deep personal emotions about the African woman.

She noted that the collection inspired her to create something powerful that would be remembered for Afro fashion, stating that 50 per cent of the fabrics used were sourced from her workshop’s existing materials.

“It made the process more intentional and aligned with the values I believe fashion should carry – responsible consumption of fashion,” she noted, adding: “With Woven to Express, I want to show that African fashion is rich, emotional, and deeply personal. I want the women who wear my pieces to feel free, bold, and seen. And beyond that, I want to highlight that sustainability is possible without compromising beauty or creativity. This collection allowed me to express who I am as a designer and to challenge myself creatively and ethically.

“Ultimately, I hope this inspires other creatives to dig deeper, design with meaning, and embrace more conscious ways of creating.”

Zainab observed that the fashion industry is currently undergoing a shift towards storytelling, sustainability, and cultural pride, saying: “Consumers want more than just aesthetics, they want to know the why behind what they
wear, how it is made and who is making it. They are embracing clothes that reflect identity, values, and emotion.”

Another important trend, she emphasised, is the rise of Afrofuturism and cultural fusion, designs that celebrate heritage while pushing boundaries.

“In this collection, I incorporated that by merging traditional African elements like Ankara and expressive silhouettes with contemporary finishes and symbolism.”

She emphasised the importance of sustainability, describing it not as a passing trend but as the future of the industry.

Zainab, who advocated for sustainable practices in the fashion industry, said that repurposing fabrics from her own workshop was a deliberate effort to reduce waste and push herself towards greater resourcefulness.

She, however, noted that innovation and ethics must coexist in design, highlighting a commitment to both creativity and responsibility.

In January 2025, Styledbyzk had her first-ever solo collection ‘Forest Bloom’, in the UK, which takes its inspiration from the natural transformation of autumn trees. The collection embodies creativity and evolution, blending earthy tones with bold, vibrant hues that capture the essence of nature’s palette.

“Autumn is a season of change and beauty. The colours of the leaves are a source of endless inspiration, and I wanted to channel that into designs that evoke creativity and self-expression,” Zainab had said.