Afro Fashion Association Keeps DEI Conversation in Fashion Rolling

MILAN — The Afro Fashion Association is keeping attention focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

On Friday, the association, which has been supporting talents of different backgrounds with an original focus on the African continent, gathered industry figures at hip member’s club The Wilde to spotlight 10 fashion creatives.

Called “Communities at Work,” the breakfast networking event drew the likes of Diego Della Valle, president and chief executive officer of Tod’s Group; Silvio Campara, CEO of Golden Goose, and Carlo Capasa, president of Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, among others.

“I would like to challenge everyone in this group today,” said Michelle Francine Ngonmo, head of the Afro Fashion Association. “If you are a brand, for example, how are you investing in long-term internships, apprenticeship [of diverse talents]?”

“I’m not asking you to look at them as Black designers. I’m asking you to look at them as the talented creatives that they are, and they might not be fit for your company, but I do think that having also other perspectives could be a good thing for you,” she said, also encouraging media in the room to give voice to diverse professionals.

The audience listened to conversations with some of the 10 talents who are part of the spotlight. They included Shivin Singh, founder and creative director of Absent Findings; Eileen Akbaraly, founder of Made for a Woman; Christel Abboud, founder of the brand Astarté; fashion designers Steve French Oduro, Claudia Gisele Ntsama and Victor Hart; photographer Isabella Sozinho; fashion stylist Sorelle Toledo; Byron Rosero, creative director of State Vision, and Susanna Owusu Twumwah, consultant and communication manager with experience at AMREF Health Africa.

“Let’s be super clear, this is not about charity,” Ngonmo said. “This is about expanding the creative and business potential of the industry. Diversity is not just a normal obligation; it is an economic and creative authentication… We should not be discouraged by what is happening in the U.S., for example. We should take this opportunity to become leaders in diversity and inclusion… not only in fashion, but in the creative industry at large,” she said, alluding to the pullback on DEI by many companies and organizations in the U.S. as the new administration of President Donald Trump criticizes and scales back such initiatives.

Since it was established in 2015, the Afro Fashion Association has championed talents based in Italy and belonging to underrepresented communities who are active in creative and entrepreneurial industries. In 2023 the organization held its first Black Carpet Awards event, celebrating leaders of change in fields including fashion, design, food, music, sport and cinema, among others.

The second edition of the event was held last September during Milan Fashion Week. The association has yet to reveal plans for the 2025 iteration.