Qasimi Rising, the talent incubation arm of the London-based fashion label founded by Khalid Al Qasimi, has partnered with Lagos Fashion Week to identify, promote, and showcase emerging fashion designers and creatives from across the African continent.

Qasimi Rising launched in 2022, helmed by Qasimi creative director Hoor Al-Qasimi, who took over from her brother Khalid Al-Qasimi, the son of the ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates after he passed away in 2019.

Qasimi Rising will play a key role in identifying designer talents and providing them with a pathway to the Qasimi Rising Talent Incubator 2026. Ten designers will present their creations and participate in one-on-one workshops with Qasimi Rising mentors and key presses during Lagos Fashion Week in October 2024.

“We are committed to fostering a thriving fashion community across many cities on the African continent and around the world, our partnership with Lagos Fashion Week is a testament to this commitment. Together, we aspire to nurture local talents, empower their creativity, and offer a gateway to global recognition,” stated Hoor Al Qasimi, founder of Qasimi Rising.

“Lagos Fashion Week is dedicated to promoting emerging talent in the region. This partnership with Qasimi Rising will undoubtedly empower these designers and set them on the path to success,” said Omoyemi Akerele, founder and executive director of Lagos Fashion Week.

Akerele will also serve as regional ambassador and adviser for the Qasimi Rising program, and with her expertise in the region she will help selected designers showing at the event to receive mentorship support.

To showcase and promote emerging designers and creatives in the African continent, Qasimi Rising will help Lagos Fashion Week identify designer talents and offer them a place in the 2026 incubation lineup.

The two winning designers selected for Qasimi Rising’s incubation scheme in 2026 will be mentored for three years, with the option to extend the mentorship for an additional seven. Throughout the mentorship, participants have access to Qasimi’s resources, including a co-working space and studio, as well as production, product development, merchandising, marketing, and business function support from several industry leaders.

London-based Sudanese designer Omer Asim and Lebanese designer Salim Azzam were the winners of the first edition of Qasimi Rising, launched last year. Their creations were shown during Qasimi’s spring 2024 presentation in London.

Lagos Fashion Week has been running annually since 2011 and has been growing as a platform for the promotion of Nigerian and African talent. As a leading fashion event on the African fashion calendar, the event leads the way with initiatives that support, strengthen, and develop the fashion industry.

Photo: Qasimi FW24