Ankara Fest LA hosts a Pop-Up Shop in the Davis Courtyard from 12-5pm. This marketplace includes five Los Angeles-based vendors offering clothing, bags, and jewelry in celebration of our exhibition “African-Print Fashion Now!”

Enjoy an entire DAY of African-Print, beginning with a free lecture at 11am when art historian Victoria Rovine discusses African couture in the Fowler’s Lenart Auditorium. Click here for details.

Vendors

Sumahrie Collections || @Sumahrie
Sumahrie Collections blend traditional African fashion with western influence and marry opposite colors to create rich, revolutionary, bold and vibrant pieces. Clothing and accessories are intricately made with traditional materials and handmade crochet pieces.

Koko Nanga || @KokoNanga
Maryanne Enanga Mokoko is known for the modern Afro-chic looks in Ankara print—from casual and cocktail looks to evening and party dresses. Having studied architecture at HBCU Howard University, her design ethos is inspired by geometry and patterns found in nature.

Ray Darten|| @Raydarten
Ray Darten African-inspired clothing and accessories blend style and elegance with stories of magnificent Nigerian culture and heritage. Ray Darten seeks to be a driver of economy sourcing all fabric and handmade production in Nigeria.

Stitches Designs|| @Stitches_Designs
Stitches design and tailor elegant pieces in vibrant prints to suit your every need. Stitches Design—the voice of African Fashion.

Nehita Jewelry || @NehitaJewelry
Discover the elegance of Nehita Jewelry on view in the Fowler Museum Shop through July 30^th. Ruby, sapphire, emerald, Citrine, amethyst, tourmaline, peridot, morganite, topaz and diamonds are the stones of choice for jewelry designer Monalisa Okojie.

Since debuting in 2008, Nehita has been worn by celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alan Cumming, Meagan Good, Josh Henderson, CCH Pounder, Norah Jones, Nick Cannon, Brandy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Carrie Ann Inaba, Sisse Marie, Quinton Aaron, Alison Krauss, Randy Jackson, Omarosa, and others. Okojie also advocates the economic independence women and girls through programs in entrepreneurship, donating a percentage of proceeds to Upward African Woman, Jenesse Center for Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Woman 2.1, and others.

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Ankara Festival Los Angeles (AFLA) was created in 2010 with the aim to increase the visibility of African culture through fashion, arts, music, dance and food. AFLA serves as a platform for established design industry professionals and aspiring newcomers to showcase modern African fashion in African print (Ankara) while networking with industry peers, media, and the public.

AFLA 2017 takes place September 1–3 at the Belasco theater. To register or learn more, visit ankarafestivals.com/register.