An African fashion show is held at the 8th Seoul Africa Festival at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in central Seoul on September 13.
SEOUL, Sept. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — The 8th Seoul Africa Festival turned into a vivid celebration of style, rhythm and cultural exchange on Saturday night, as more than 2,000 spectators packed into Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) for a premium fashion show featuring designers from across Africa and Korea.
The evening opened with pounding West African drumming and dance from the group Ponike, setting the stage for a runway that blended tradition and modernity. Diplomats from African embassies in Seoul showcased their countries’ national costumes, followed by a sequence of collections that paired African fabrics with Korean motifs.
Korean label Kim Min-joo presented minimalist designs inspired by the theme “Patterns Linking Korea and Africa,” pairing reinterpreted hanbok with traditional hats. Nigerian brand Hertunba unveiled its “Earthen” collection, contrasting flowing white garments with earth-toned ensembles, some made with Korean silk. South African luxury house MaXhosa, a veteran of Paris Fashion Week, closed the show with bold knitwear and striking patterns, earning roaring applause.
Between the runway segments, Cameroonian singer Mapo Laure performed pansori in Korean and French, and models eventually joined the audience in chanting “Ubuntu,” the Bantu phrase meaning “I am because you are.”
Beyond the fashion, the festival transformed DDP into a hub of African culture. Embassy booths from 15 nations introduced crafts and cuisine; Rwanda offered traditional dishes while Congo displayed handicrafts. A bustling marketplace sold artisan goods, and food stalls served dishes such as Ghanaian jollof rice, which drew long queues.
For many, the event underscored a growing sense of community. “It was amazing to experience so many African cultures in one place,” said Hwang Seo-yeon, a 23-year-old visitor. Shalom, an 18-year-old Nigerian student newly arrived in Korea, said the festival eased her worries about living abroad: “I realized there is a strong African community here, and that Koreans are open to Africa.”
As the night ended, South African attendees gathered outside the subway entrance singing “Jerusalema,” the gospel-inspired hit meaning “Why are you crying? Things will change,” while others kept dancing to Afro-pop beats.
What began as a fashion showcase evolved into a broader statement of cultural connection, with both Koreans and Africans celebrating side by side.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
