A Photographer’s Diary from the African Fashion Week London 2024
By Beatrice Siyanbola for Boslens Studios
I’ve always believed fashion is more than fabric.
It is identity. It is history. It is art. So when I found myself at African Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2024 with my camera in hand, I knew I wasn’t just there as a London event photographer. I was there to witness something. To feel something. And let me tell you, AFWL didn’t just meet my expectations.
It completely redefined them.
From the moment I stepped into the venue, I was surrounded by colour, confidence, and culture in motion. Ankara, aso-oke, kente. The fabrics I’ve always loved were reimagined into silhouettes that were unapologetically African and impossibly chic. The air was electric. The runway wasn’t just a stage. It was a declaration.
But before I dive into the magic I saw through my lens as a London photographer, let’s talk about the platform that made it all possible.
Model on the runway at AFWL 2024
African Fashion Week London was founded in 2011 by Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, a visionary who saw the gap in global fashion representation and chose to fill it with fabric, flair, and fierce authenticity. Today, AFWL stands as Europe’s largest showcase for African fashion and design, championing the work of over 1,000 designers from across the continent and the diaspora. This is not just a fashion show. It is a movement.
AFWL also has a twin in African Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN), held annually in Lagos. Together, these events form a powerful bridge connecting African creativity with global opportunities. They are a source of inspiration for artists like me and for every London luxury wedding photographer who understands that heritage and elegance belong in every frame.
Back to the runway.
I watched fashion enthusiasts, writers, artists, and of course, brides-to-be gather inspiration from both modern and avant-garde gowns that honoured heritage while boldly bending every rule. Models of every shape, size, and shade walked with purpose, like the runway was built for them, because it was. And creatives like me? We were wide-eyed, inspired, and filled with awe at the beauty before us.
I’ve attended several past AFWLs and have many fond memories of my time there. One unforgettable moment was seeing Shalom Blac, the Nigerian-born beauty influencer and burn survivor, grace the event. Her unique blend of resilience and style was powerful. Her presence was a reminder that fashion is not just about aesthetics. It is about empowerment and self-expression.
British actor Charles Venn, known for his roles in EastEnders and Casualty, also walked the runway for designers Samson Soboye and David Wej. His appearance added a touch of celebrity glamour to an already phenomenal show.
In 2024, there were cameos from famous faces like Love Island’s Dami Hope and entertainment industry executive SMADE. It really was a delight to be present.
Honestly, every year I find that the stars of the show are the details—whether in the looks on the runway or the production of the event—and 2024 did not disappoint. I had the best time documenting the details the curators set up for us. One of my favourite parts of this year’s setup was the photo area, which featured parts of a Lagos danfo bus, some lovely leather goods, aso-oke fabric handbags, and many more specially selected items.
Everywhere I turned was a visual story waiting to be told. The beadwork. The sway of a gele mid-stride. The pride stitched into every designer’s collection. For a London event photographer, this was a visual paradise. I wasn’t just documenting fashion. I was preserving legacy, one frame at a time.
But more than that, it was about representation. It was about seeing African excellence celebrated not as a passing trend but as the standard. As I moved from the backstage buzz to the front row energy, I saw clearly how vital platforms like AFWL are. Not just for designers, but for every storyteller. For every London wedding photographer who wants to craft something deeply meaningful.
I was there as a photographer, yes, but also as an avid fashion lover and to support my sister’s friend, Sheye Oladejo, who was showcasing the newest collection from her ready-to-wear Nigerian brand, Scqueeze. She designed some absolutely stunning pieces. I honestly couldn’t get enough! They embodied style and elegance, but also culture. Many were made from colourful Nigerian aso-oke fabric.
And yes, I thought about my brides. The ones who come to Boslens Studios looking for more than just wedding portraits. They want culture. They want soul. They want identity in every single shot. AFWL was a treasure trove of inspiration. Regal occasion dresses. Bubus that looked like folklore come alive.
Audience at African Fashion Week London 2024
I left AFWL with a full memory card and an even fuller heart. Because what I experienced wasn’t just a fashion show. It was a love letter to who we are as Africans, where we’ve been, and what we are boldly becoming.
So whether you're a creative, a couple in love, a future bride, or someone who believes in storytelling through colour and couture, go to AFWL 2025. And when you're ready to tell your own story in your own voice, you know who will be behind the lens: Boslens Studios, where your culture meets couture.
Follow me on Instagram to see more from my AFWL gallery and all the jpegs that didn’t hit the runway but still stole the show. I’m also looking forward to attending again this year. It's on August 9–10, 2025.
Stay tuned,
Beatrice
Lead Photographer
Boslens Studios