Can African fashion thrive globally? The ARISE  collective says yes we can. African designers have been making steady gains in the main stream fashion industry. Designers like Gwen Stephanie/L.A.M.B. have been incorporating African prints into their collections. Stoned Cherry, David Tlale and Jewel by Lisa have shown collections at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week as part of the ARISE collective. African fashion has been an inspiration to the international fashion industry for a long time. It is now beginning to be recognized wealth of talent and innovation. the challenge for African designers is financial support. It is an important factor in them being able to compete with the international design community, and have more of a presence in places like the UK and the U.S.

ARISE : Made in Africa, presented collections on the last day of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week on September 15, at Avery Fisher Hall. The designers represented countries like Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeria, and South Africa. The designers were all chosen by ARISE magazine (Nigeria) in recognition for their work in the African Fashion industry. South African designers Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit (KLUK CGDT) received a life time achievement and a designer of the year award  Arise magazine Fashion Week.

African designers realize that there are some adjustments that need to be made to place them squarely on the global stage. Competing on the international stage  has meant being sensitive to consumer feedback regarding the desire for lighter fabrics. It is these types of considerations that require the designers to incorporate these adjustments while being true to what makes their collections uniquely African. This can be a challenge for those African designers who face limitations due to finances or materials. Even with these shortfalls African designers are competing and making strides.

The collections presented as part of the ARISE : MIA collection included  a variety of materials, and traditional fabrics translated into contemporary designs. an array of fabrics such as linen, cotton, neoprene, Lycra jersey, Silk Chiffon, Ankara, West African lace, and Organza. The work of African designers continues to evolve and is thriving in an atmosphere where there is interest in what is new and cutting edge.