GFDW - AYO VAN ELMAR.

My favorites from the Ayo Van Elmar collection:

GFDW - HAZZA.

Hazza showcase was interesting...I expected this. I'm familiar with his work from attendees at last year's LFDW. 

My pick from his collection:

GFDW - JOY IN COLOR.

Outside the shows...

GFDW - DANDY.

Outside the shows...

GFDW - ECLECTIC.

Outside the shows...

GFDW - BRAIDED BEAUTIES.

Outside the shows...

GFDW - I PLEAT ETHNIC II.

Outside the shows...

GFDW - BEAUT.

Outside the shows...

GFDW - FLETCHER MAMA.

I'll tell you something about Fletcher Mama.

I noticed her backstage shining shoes clearly belonging to male models, I wasn't sure who she was but playfully took a photo of her (see last photo).

From her actions, I began to look around...really look around and observe...and all I could see backstage was a group of people who didn't see themselves as competition.

Models helped other models, designers assisted other designers, there was a general sense of laughter and camaraderie.

Now I cannot pretend to have been backstage anywhere else but I know certainly I wasn't expecting this relaxed co-dependent atmosphere.

You can imagine my absolute shock when I saw the same beauty who was happily shining male models' shoes, walking the runway as a womenswear fashion label owner.

Mama Fletcher, you're my kind of person.

Your collection is my kind of collection.

Cheers.

GFDW RUNWAY - STEVE FRENCH.

Now this was by far my best showing of the night.

I don't know if it was the unsettling territory of viewing what should be white/neutral colored flowing dresses which ordinarily represent bridal freedom, being reversed into straitjacket-esque styling, or that fact that these pieces were refreshingly out-of-the-box and artistic...I definitely had a lot of appreciation for this collection.

The response elicited by the attendee's audibly different applause showed it wasn't just me who felt this.

Well done Mr. Steve French!

PS: The lighting in the room was in constant battle with my camera, hence the color separation in the dresses.

GFDW RUNWAY - BLVCK.

Dungarees (or Overalls to my American friends) got their Ghanaian spin in vibrant yellow in this collection by BLVCK by Shika Odamtten.

GFDW RUNWAY - OWUSU KOFI.

Ghanaian menswear label, Kofi OWUSU gave a sartorial edge to the shows with his collection.

Here are the pieces that caught my eye.