AFRO FASHION ASSOCIATION, ISTITUTO MARANGONI MILAN, and LABA DOUALA ACADEMY Launch a Contest to Support the Next Generation of African Designers.

The winner will have the opportunity to receive a full scholarship for the Master's in Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni Milan.

Afro Fashion Association, a non-profit organization known for its concrete commitment to promoting diversity and intercultural dialogue in the fields of fashion and design, is strengthening its ties with the academic world through a new initiative in collaboration with Istituto Marangoni Milan and the LABA Douala Academy in Cameroon.

The project aims to support and empower young African talents in the fashion industry.

Started May 21, third-year students and alumni of LABA Douala Academy will have the opportunity to participate in six intensive online masterclasses led by professors and professionals from Istituto Marangoni Milan.

This educational journey will provide solid training in strategic areas such as trend forecasting, collection development, sustainability, and digital transformation in the fashion sector.

The masterclasses will equip participants with tools and methodologies to develop an innovative and conscious design approach, culminating in the creation of a capsule collection that showcases creative excellence while meeting current market demands and anticipating future trends.

At the end of the training program, participants will enter a contest by presenting their capsule collection projects, which will be evaluated by a distinguished jury.

The winner will receive a full scholarship for the prestigious Master's in Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni’s Milan campus, starting in September 2025.

The jury will include prominent figures such as Michelle Francine Ngonmo, President of Afro Fashion Association; Diana Marian Murek, Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni Milan; Riccardo Scaburri, fashion designer, founder of Lessico Familiare, and faculty member at the Institute; Carlotta Sadino, Programme Leader of the Master in Fashion Design at the Milan school; and Dr. Paul-Henri Souvenir Assako Assako, professor at LABA Douala Academy.

Since its founding in 2015 by Michelle Francine Ngonmo, Afro Fashion Association has promoted access to education in both Italy and Africa and has fostered cultural dialogue between the two continents.

Through educational initiatives, high-profile events such as the Black Carpet Awards, and the creation of creative hubs in Cameroon, Rwanda, and Ghana, the association supports and uplifts emerging Afro-descendant talents, offering them visibility, training, and tools to thrive internationally within the contemporary fashion landscape.

Michelle Francine Ngonmo, President of Afro Fashion Association.

"We are proud to contribute to a project that not only educates, but also builds real bridges between African talents and the international fashion scene," says Michelle Francine Ngonmo, President of Afro Fashion Association. "As someone who grew up between different cultures, I know how powerful it can be to transform a multicultural identity into a creative language. 

This initiative gives young students from Cameroon—specifically from the LABA Douala Academy—the opportunity to explore their roots, reinterpret them through a contemporary lens, and assert their voice in the world. It is a concrete step toward a fairer, more inclusive, and truly global fashion industry.

Together with Istituto Marangoni Milan and Diana Marian Murek, we are working to build bridges not only in terms of education, but also in creating a meaningful and reciprocal exchange."

This direction is shared by the Milan-based school, as emphasized by Diana Marian Murek, Director of Education at Istituto Marangoni Milan:"We deeply believe in this collaboration: talent knows no borders, and fashion is an extraordinary universal language. Supporting new generations of creatives through international, high-quality educational pathways is a top priority for us. Our synergy with Afro Fashion Association is rooted in genuine alignment, and it will allow us to develop meaningful initiatives driven by a shared vision and the desire to create real impact."

Through this collaboration, Istituto Marangoni Milan and the Afro Fashion Association reinforce their shared commitment to building cultural and professional bridges—contributing to the development of a new generation of creatives who reflect the richness and diversity of the global fashion scene.

About Afro Fashion Association

Afro Fashion Association is a non-profit organization founded in 2015, operating between Italy and sub-Saharan Africa. Run by a team of dedicated volunteers, it promotes fashion, art, and culture as powerful tools for intercultural exchange, empowerment, and sustainable economic development.

The organization’s mission is to uplift emerging African and BIPOC creatives through an international platform, create market opportunities for Black and minority entrepreneurs, and promote a vision of Africa rooted in creativity, innovation, and cultural richness.

Afro Fashion Association works to strengthen local capacities in the artistic and cultural sectors, support women’s empowerment, and provide training and professional opportunities for students and emerging talents. Additionally, it advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, using art as a driver of social and economic progress.

About Istituto Marangoni

Founded in 1935 in Milan as the Istituto Artistico dell’Abbigliamento Marangoni, Istituto Marangoni boasts over 85 years of success in training top professionals in the worlds of fashion, art, and design. With an educational legacy spanning four generations of students from five continents, it has been the launchpad for more than 45,000 luxury industry professionals, including renowned names such as Domenico Dolce, Alessandro Sartori, Paula Cademartori, Gilda Ambrosio, Julie de Libran, and Nicola Brognano.

According to a recent Doxa study, the group achieves a notable employability rate of 91%, further attesting to the quality of its programs and the preparedness of its graduates.

Today, Istituto Marangoni welcomes approximately 5,000 students annually from 108 countries, across its campuses in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Dubai, Riyadh, Miami*, and Shenzhen* — key international capitals of fashion, art, and design. Istituto Marangoni is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in its fields according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.

About LABA Douala

LABA Douala is one of the leading schools of arts and creative industries based in Douala, Cameroon. Founded with the mission to empower a new generation of African creatives, LABA Douala offers multidisciplinary training in visual arts, fashion design, digital media, photography, and graphic communication. The institute provides a dynamic, practice-oriented curriculum that blends traditional African aesthetics with contemporary global trends.

Through a strong network of local and international partners, LABA Douala promotes innovation, critical thinking, and cultural exchange. The school is committed to decolonizing arts education and fostering inclusive narratives that reflect the richness and diversity of African identities. With a special focus on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and community engagement, LABA Douala plays a key role in shaping the cultural and creative landscape of Central Africa.