The Diaspora Wonderland Event at The Africa Centre: A Celebration of Culture, Creativity, and Connection

The Diaspora Wonderland event at The Africa Centre was nothing short of extraordinary, a vibrant gathering that brought together brilliant minds from across continents to explore the intersections of fashion, design, culture, and identity.

The day opened with powerful words from Lotfi Aoulad, Founder of Das Relais, alongside H.E. Mr. Hakim Hajoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Kingdom, setting the tone for an afternoon of dialogue, discovery, and cultural exchange. Their reflections, coupled with the warm welcome from the host venue, The Africa Centre, framed the forum as a space where diasporic voices could connect and thrive.

Weaving Creative Bonds Across Borders

The first masterclass, Weaving Creative Bonds Across Borders, featured a dynamic conversation with Fanta Ouka Diawara (CFO, Chanel), Nix (Senegalese rapper, artist, entrepreneur), and Jamie Gill (Founder, The Outsiders Perspectives, London). Together, they delved into how African creativity and global institutions can collaborate, emphasising the importance of questioning existing norms while building inclusive ecosystems. Their dialogue underscored how navigating spaces not originally designed for us requires both courage and innovation.

Afro-Mediterranean Fashion: Berlin x London Perspectives

In a session moderated by Salomé Roch, designers Bayo Oke-Lawal (Orange Culture, Lagos & London), Buki Akomolafe (Berlin), and Michael Burgess (Founder, Creative Resilience, London) shared candid insights on what it means to create and amplify diasporic voices in fashion. From the cultural codes embedded in their designs to the politics of representation, this conversation illuminated the shared struggles and triumphs of crafting identities that resonate across borders.

Moroccan Wonderland

The audience was then transported into Moroccan Wonderland, an immersive journey led by Sophia Kacimi and the multidisciplinary design house Zoubida. Here, traditional Moroccan craftsmanship met contemporary fashion, weaving a visual and emotional tapestry that highlighted the power of heritage in shaping modern creative expression.

Education, Diplomacy, and a Grand Finale

Closing remarks came from Ayoola Bakare (CEO, Ayko Agency) and David Mackintosh (Director, Franco-British Council), who stressed the importance of education and diplomacy as powerful tools for fostering creative dialogues.

The evening reached a breath-taking conclusion with a brilliant choreography by Inimfon Iniaman of Ayko Agency, whose performance encapsulated the themes of movement, identity, and belonging that ran throughout the day.

A Space for Belonging

From Morocco to Senegal to Nigeria and wider, the forum amplified diverse diaspora voices and celebrated the rich narratives that often exist on the margins of mainstream creative spaces. It was more than an event; it was a collective reminder of the beauty, resilience, and brilliance of diasporic creativity. The Diaspora Wonderland proved that when voices across continents come together, they create not just conversations, but movements that redefine the global creative landscape.