During Johannesburg Fashion Week, a Niger fashion designer hopes to present a positive image of her nation.

Fashion designer Alia Bare, from Niger, stole the show at Johannesburg Fashion Week with a collection she hopes will help project a more positive image of her nation, which is currently experiencing economic sanctions and instability as a result of a military coup earlier this year.
Fashion designer Alia Bare, from Niger, stole the show at Johannesburg Fashion Week with a collection she hopes will help project a more positive image of her nation, which is currently experiencing economic sanctions and instability as a result of a military coup earlier this year.

This week, Johannesburg, South Africa hosted the Joburg Fashion Week, a major event in the continent’s fashion and entertainment calendar, featuring a number of African designers, including Bare.

The elegant collection that Bare, who has lived in Senegal and India, unveiled on Thursday was inspired by her travels and experiences abroad.

Speaking to The Associated Press during the event, Bare said that the world has long mistakenly linked Niger with political unrest, a view that she believes undervalues the natural beauty of her nation.

“Conflict, poverty, death, and other negative things are always brought up when people discuss Niger,” the speaker stated.

“I am aware that the majority of people equate fashion with shallowness. However, I believe that through culture, fashion can contribute to projecting a positive image of the nation abroad.”

The collection dubbed “DNA” by Bare combines global inspirations, such as Nigerese symbols and South African graphic designers’ work.

For me, the collection holds great significance as it embodies my identity and cultural heritage. I wanted to convey in this collection that I’m from Niger and that I belong to several ethnic groups,” stated Bare.

The executive chairperson of Africa Fashion International, which is in charge of organizing the fashion show, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, stated on Thursday night that the goal of Johannesburg Fashion Week is to provide a forum for African creatives to flourish.

Moloi-Motsepe stated, “We think we give our creatives and designers a blank canvas to express their creativity.” “We think Africans tell African stories better than anyone else.”

More African designers are anticipated to present their work during Johannesburg Fashion Week, which ends on Saturday.