The African Fashion Foundation has partnered with UK-based Unity in Design Global Network to create the UDGN Cultural Threads Incubator, supporting 12 emerging African diaspora designers with mentorship and industry skills, culminating in a showcase at London Fashion Week 2025.
In a significant stride towards advancing African and minority representation in the global fashion industry, the African Fashion Foundation (AFF) has partnered with the UK-based Unity in Design Global Network (UDGN), founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Tare Isaac. This alliance launches the UDGN Cultural Threads Incubator, a tailored mentorship and brand growth programme designed to support 12 emerging designers from across the African diaspora. The initiative aims not only to provide hands-on runway preparation but to equip designers with comprehensive skills in fashion finance, marketing, PR, branding, and storytelling, culminating in a high-impact showcase at London Fashion Week in September 2025.
According to Tare Isaac, founder of UDGN, the collaboration is “not just a show. It’s a launchpad,” emphasising the network’s commitment to building sustainable pathways for these designers by connecting them with critical industry players including press and stockists worldwide. The African Fashion Foundation, led by Roberta Annan, contributes rich expertise in fashion development and investment strategies. Annan highlighted the foundation’s dedication to empowering African creatives globally through strategic mentorship, particularly around investment readiness and international scaling.
The incubator programme runs from June to September 2025 and prepares participants for more than just the runway. It sets them up for enduring success by focusing on post-show retail placements, addressing a frequent gap in emerging designers’ trajectories. Mentorship is provided by prominent figures from the London College of Fashion, the British Fashion Council, and AFF itself, ensuring a robust, multifaceted learning experience that merges creativity with commercial viability.
This initiative joins a broader landscape of African fashion promotion in London in 2025. Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL), the world’s largest and longest-running African fashion showcase, celebrates its 15th season in August 2025 at Space House, London. The event features multiple catwalks, exhibitions, fashion talks, and cultural activities that spotlight African heritage and artistry in fashion. Impressively, AFWL has connected nearly 3,000 designers and creatives with global audiences and industry professionals over the years.
Adding to AFWL’s rich programme, a special partnership with Disney’s The Lion King will feature a performance of the iconic “Circle of Life” song during the event’s Saturday evening catwalk show. This collaboration draws on shared themes of heritage, identity, and storytelling central to both the musical and African fashion narratives. Furthermore, the British Council has partnered with AFWL to bring a delegation of 10 emerging pan-African designers from Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria to present their latest collections. These designers are alumni of the Creative DNA fashion accelerator programme, which aims to elevate the next generation of African fashion talent.
Together, these initiatives reflect a dynamic, flourishing ecosystem within London that seeks to nurture African and minority designers beyond the runway, helping them to establish long-term careers while celebrating cultural roots and creative innovation. The combined efforts of UDGN and AFF, alongside flagship events like Africa Fashion Week London, underscore an encouraging trend towards greater inclusion, equity, and sustainable growth in the global fashion industry.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://businessday.ng/sponsored/article/african-fashion-foundation-and-udgn-announce-global-fashion-partnership-ahead-of-london-fashion-week/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.unityindesignglobalnetwork.com/ – Unity in Design Global Network (UDGN) is a UK-based platform founded by Nigerian fashion entrepreneur Tare Isaac. UDGN aims to support and elevate minority fashion designers by providing mentorship, brand development, and runway access. The platform focuses on closing the opportunity gap for underrepresented creatives, offering tools, guidance, and visibility to help them build impactful brands in the global fashion industry. UDGN’s mission centres on inclusion, cultural equity, and sustainable growth for minority designers, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where diverse talents can thrive.
- https://www.africafashionweeklondonuk.com/ – Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is the world’s largest and longest-running showcase of African and African-inspired fashion and design. Celebrating its 15th season in 2025, AFWL will take place on 9-10 August at Space House in London. The event features catwalk shows, exclusive designer showcases, exhibition shopping halls, fashion talks, influencer interviews, and cultural experiences celebrating African heritage in fashion. AFWL has provided a platform for nearly 3,000 designers and creatives, connecting them with new audiences, industry professionals, students, and fashion enthusiasts.
- https://www.africafashionweeklondonuk.com/afwl-news/africa-fashion-week-london-announces-collaboration-with-disneys-the-lion-king – Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has announced a partnership with Disney’s The Lion King for AFWL2025. The collaboration will feature a special performance from Disney’s award-winning West End musical during the 7pm catwalk showcase on Saturday, 9 August at Space House, London. Audiences will experience ‘The Circle of Life,’ the opening track from the iconic show. This partnership underscores the shared themes of heritage, identity, and African storytelling, enhancing the cultural experience of AFWL2025.
- https://www.africafashionweeklondonuk.com/afwl-news/new-postafrica-fashion-week-london-announces-partnership-with-british-council – Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has partnered with the British Council to present the Creative DNA London Showcase at AFWL2025. The initiative brings a delegation of 10 pan-African designers to London, all alumni of the Creative DNA fashion accelerator programme. These designers from Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria will participate in an immersive programme during AFWL2025, unveiling their latest collections during a catwalk showcase on Saturday, 9 August at 4pm. This collaboration aims to spotlight the vibrant next generation of African fashion.
- https://styleafrique.com/2025/03/29/afwl2025-15-years-strong-and-back-for-a-summer-celebration/ – Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is celebrating its 15th season in 2025, marking a significant milestone in championing African fashion, culture, and creativity on the global stage. The event promises two days of show-stopping catwalks featuring trailblazing designers, exclusive shopping halls, inspiring fashion talks, influencer interviews, and cultural experiences that honour Africa’s rich heritage in fashion. AFWL has been a platform for nearly 2,000 designers and creatives, connecting them with industry leaders, fashion lovers, students, and content creators.
- https://styleafrique.com/2025/06/24/africa-fashion-week-london-announces-15th-season-on-9th-10th-august/ – Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) has announced its 15th season, scheduled for 9-10 August 2025 at Space House in London. The event will feature three catwalk showcases filled with African design collections, a full exhibition hall, and a special performance by the cast of Disney’s The Lion King. In partnership with the British Council, AFWL will welcome ten emerging designers from Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria through the Creative DNA programme, amplifying fresh African voices in global fashion.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no prior publications found. The partnership announcement is recent, aligning with the upcoming London Fashion Week in September 2025. The report includes updated data, such as the collaboration with Disney’s The Lion King and the British Council, which were announced in June 2025. ([africafashionweeklondonuk.com](https://www.africafashionweeklondonuk.com/afwl-news/africa-fashion-week-london-announces-collaboration-with-disneys-the-lion-king?utm_source=openai), [africafashionweeklondonuk.com](https://www.africafashionweeklondonuk.com/afwl-news/new-postafrica-fashion-week-london-announces-partnership-with-british-council?utm_source=openai)) However, the report also references events from earlier in 2025, which may affect its freshness score. The inclusion of these events suggests that while the core partnership is new, the report incorporates previously reported information. This blending of new and recycled content warrants a moderate freshness score. Additionally, the report is published on a reputable platform, BusinessDay Nigeria, which adds credibility to the information. ([africafashionweeklondonuk.com](https://www.africafashionweeklondonuk.com/afwl-news?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from Tare Isaac and Roberta Annan are not found in earlier publications, indicating originality. The wording matches the report, with no significant variations. This consistency supports the authenticity of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from BusinessDay Nigeria, a reputable news outlet. However, the report is marked as ‘sponsored,’ which suggests it may be a press release or promotional content. This raises questions about potential bias or promotional intent. The involvement of established entities like the African Fashion Foundation and UDGN adds credibility, but the ‘sponsored’ label warrants caution.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the partnership between the African Fashion Foundation and UDGN are plausible and align with recent industry trends promoting African fashion. The report mentions upcoming events like London Fashion Week in September 2025, which is consistent with the timeline. The inclusion of collaborations with Disney’s The Lion King and the British Council adds depth to the narrative. However, the blending of new and recycled content, as noted in the freshness check, may affect the overall plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible and timely announcement of a partnership between the African Fashion Foundation and UDGN ahead of London Fashion Week. While the core information appears original, the blending of new and recycled content, along with the ‘sponsored’ label, introduces some uncertainty regarding the freshness and potential bias of the report. Further verification from independent sources is recommended to confirm the details of the partnership.
