By Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja
The second edition of the Fashion Fables Runway Africa (FFRA) has brought inclusivity, sustainability and African heritage to the centre of the fashion conversation, with organisers advocating greater opportunities for people of different body types, ages and abilities.
The youth-focused Pan-African fashion initiative, held on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja, featured an audition and exhibition involving more than 300 models, including children, teenagers and adults.
The Convener of FFRA, Obinna Obitaris, said the initiative was created to change the narrative around African fashion by encouraging Africans to tell their own stories through fashion, fabrics and ancestral heritage.
Obitaris explained that the initiative, formerly known as Fashion Fusion Africa, was rebranded as Fashion Fables Runway Africa to better reflect its vision and expand its impact.
According to him, FFRA is an inclusivity-driven platform focused on impact, sustainability and green initiatives while creating opportunities for people who are often overlooked by the mainstream fashion industry.
“We are here to tell our story around African stories and African ancestors, telling stories around fabrics, telling our own stories by ourselves, not just strangers telling our stories,” he said.
He said the audition brought together male and female models across different age groups, adding that the platform was challenging conventional ideas about who could participate in the fashion industry.
“We are changing the narrative that says that the black child cannot be seen. You can be seen, and it doesn’t matter how you are,” Obitaris said.
He noted that FFRA had provided opportunities for models with albinism, vitiligo and other special needs, stressing that inclusivity remained one of the major pillars of the initiative.
Obitaris recalled that the previous edition made history with the participation of Toby, an autistic model of African descent who travelled from the United States to take part in the runway.
He added that the 2026 edition would also feature a model undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, describing her participation as another demonstration of the platform’s commitment to ensuring that people are seen, represented and celebrated.
“Our aim is to create a space where everybody feels accepted and involved — a non-judgmental space,” he said.
The convener said the fashion industry should go beyond employment creation by providing an avenue for creativity to flourish and for people of different backgrounds, ages, body types and abilities to be recognised.
He also commended the Minister of Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for supporting the initiative, noting that the ministry provided technical support for the previous edition and endorsed the 2026 event.
Obitaris acknowledged the contributions of sponsors and partners, including AIT, Africa News Nation (ANNTV), Auto Space, The Blank Grand, Jabi Lake Mall, DNT Autos and Juma Coffee, among others.
Judge: FFRA Breaking Stereotypes in Modelling
One of the judges at the event, Precious Momoh, described FFRA as a departure from conventional fashion shows, saying the platform was deliberately created to challenge stereotypes within the modelling industry.
Momoh said the event featured people who are traditionally underrepresented on fashion runways, including plus-size and petite models as well as people with albinism.
“At Fashion Fables, the whole idea is inclusivity. We’re trying to bring people that are not the regular people you would see on the runway,” she said.
She recalled that the previous edition featured Toby, described as the first autistic model to walk the FFRA runway, adding that the 2026 edition would continue the tradition of showcasing diversity.
According to her, the initiative is designed to inspire people to develop confidence in themselves and their bodies, regardless of their physical appearance.
“You don’t have to limit yourself to your body size or how you look. You can achieve anything you want,” Momoh said.
She added that FFRA was also using fashion to reconnect contemporary African creativity with the continent’s cultural heritage.
Momoh described the runway as a celebration of colours, different body sizes and diverse identities, stressing that fashion should provide room for people to express themselves without being judged by conventional standards.
FFRA Promotes Sustainable African Storytelling
The Brand and Technical Director of FFRA, Genesis Akpoloyowa, said the 2026 exhibition was focused on sustainability and the importance of Africans taking ownership of their stories.
Akpoloyowa said FFRA was established as a platform for expressing African stories through fashion while demonstrating that the continent has a long history of sustainable practices.
He challenged the perception that sustainability is solely a Western concept, arguing that African societies developed sustainable ways of living long before colonisation and the emergence of modern global trade.
According to him, FFRA will continue to use fashion as a vehicle for cultural expression, youth empowerment, creativity and the promotion of African identity.
The organisers said the initiative would continue to provide a platform for young people and individuals who might otherwise be excluded from mainstream fashion to take up space, showcase their talents and contribute to the growth of Africa’s creative economy.
