JOHANNESBURG, 22 SEPTEMBER — Fancy Africa will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a six-day programme running from 28 September to 3 October 2026. The 2026 edition will bring together fashion, culture, business and creativity through a programme that goes beyond the runway.
The programme will include the Fancy Africa Summit, masterclasses and workshops, Cultural Day, Bazar Cultural, pop-up stores, fashion shows and presentations, live music and entertainment, and the Fancy Africa Awards and Gala.
Co-founder and Creative Director of Fancy Africa, King Levi Dapper, said the 10th-anniversary edition focuses on creating a full experience for both industry professionals and the public. “As we celebrate 10 years of Fancy Africa, our expectation for the 2026 edition is to deliver a complete experience that goes far beyond the runway,” said Dapper. “We aim to bring together fashion, culture, knowledge, business and creativity in one platform.”
The Fancy Africa Summit will take place on 28 and 29 September, with masterclasses, workshops, and discussions focused on learning, networking, and opportunities in the creative industries. From 1 to 3 October, designers and other creatives will take part in fashion shows and presentations. The Bazar Cultural will run throughout the week, giving visitors the chance to experience and buy food from different cultures.
The Fancy Africa Awards and Gala will take place on 3 October. The Awards will recognise talent across the fashion and creative industries, including designers, models, photographers, stylists, makeup artists and other creative professionals. The Awards will also give nominees an opportunity to engage their communities and fan bases through the voting campaign, helping to increase public participation and online engagement around African creative talent.
Another feature of this year’s event is the Digital Fancy Store, which will allow participating designers to start selling their collections before the event begins. Designers will be able to take pre-orders for collections they will showcase at Fancy Africa and sell other products from their brands. Under the Digital Fancy Store model, 85% of each sale will go to the designer or brand, with Fancy Africa retaining a 15% commission. The initiative aims to create business opportunities for designers beyond event exposure.
Dapper said the 10th anniversary is also a step towards Fancy Africa’s future. “More than celebrating a decade of history, Fancy Africa 2026 marks the beginning of an even more ambitious and internationally connected chapter,” he said. “We seek to generate real opportunities, strengthen international connections, promote Mozambique’s cultural and creative identity, and position Maputo as an important meeting point for Africa’s creative industries.”
The 2026 edition is supported by Vodacom as connectivity sponsor and Sir Motors as mobility partner.
