Afrofashion Designer Launches Sustainable Capsule Collection with MODES

This May, Italian-Indian designer Eileen Akbaraly, the designer behind Made For A Woman (M4W) and one of the Afro Fashion Association‘s Fab 5 designers for our 2023 edition, will launch a ready-to-wear capsule collection in an exclusive collaboration with unique omni-channel retail platform, MODES. Akbaraly first exhibited her work at MODES Milano as part of the Afro Fashion Association’s Fab 5 showcase. The Afro Fashion Association and MODES are also currently partnering on a job placement and mentorship program that places BIPOC designers into positions within the sales industry.

Akbaraly always knew that she would find a way to combine her two greatest passions – fashion and sustainability – in a way that would make a lasting impact on her home of Madagascar.  Her star rose quickly, as she was selected as a finalist for the Human Rights Award at the CNMI Sustainability Awards in 2022 and scouted as a Fab 5 emerging talent by the Afro Fashion Association shortly after, leading to her exhibition at MODES Milano in February 2023. Check out coverage of the showcase event, or follow Made For a Woman’s journey at @madeforawoman! It’s been a wild ride together already and we can’t wait to see what’s next for this brilliant and passionate designer/entrepreneur. Congratulations, Eileen!

Featuring luscious bright knits and innovative raffia weaving, look out for the ten-piece summer collection online at modes.com and in-store at MODES locations in Milan, Paris, Forte Village, Porto Cervo, Portofino, and Forte dei Marmi from May 11th.

More News

The Afro Fashion Special Sale

Vogue celebrates the season with a feature on the Afro Fashion special sale and events calendar in December 2023!

Announcing the 2nd Black Carpet Awards

WWD covers the official announcement of our 2nd annual Black Carpet Awards program.

Afrofashion featured in Corriere della Sera

Corriere della Sera’s Style Magazine features a profile of the Afrofashion Association’s work and its founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo.

Vogue features our tribute to Virgil Abloh

Afrofashion founder Michelle Francine Ngonmo tells Vogue Italia the story behind her recent video tributo to Virgil Abloh.

All winners of the inaugural Black Carpet Awards

Discover all the winners of the inaugural 2023 edition of the Black Carpet Awards! Article in Italian on Vogue Italy.

Fashion Projects Centers How AFWM Expands the Meaning of “Made in Italy”

Francesca Granata interviews Afro Fashion Association founder about how she’s expanding the narrative of “Made in Italy.”

Al Femminile Interviews Michelle Ngonmo

Women’s magazine Al Femminile interviews Michelle Francine Ngonmo about the mission of the Afro Fashion Association.

Fashion United Covers AFWM F/W 2023

Fashion United covers the Afro Fashion Week calendar for February 2023.

en_USEnglish