Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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AFU 2025 & the Vision of Valerie K: A Continental Renaissance in Fashion
Date: June 26 2025
Venue: Alexander Bridge, Paris (France)

Double Triumph for Hawii at Africa Fashion Up 2025

Ethiopian designer Hawi Midekssa, founder of @hawii_, took home two major honors at Africa Fashion Up 2025: the Best Designer Award and the Female Entrepreneurship Award2. Her visionary work and commitment to empowering future creatives earned her a defining moment on the Parisian stage.

Presented beneath the iconic Pont Alexandre III during Paris Fashion Week, Hawii’s runway was a poetic fusion of Ethiopian heritage and global couture. Her designs captivated the audience with their storytelling power, refined craftsmanship, and bold individuality.

Beyond the runway, Hawii’s entrepreneurial spirit shone just as brightly. Her ambition to establish a fashion school in Ethiopia—dedicated to training and uplifting the next generation of African designers—was recognized as a transformative initiative.

Africa Fashion Up 2025 was more than a show—it was a celebration of contemporary African creativity, led by young talents from across the continent. Hawii’s double win marks a new chapter in the global fashion narrative.