In Accra, Alt.FFF Puts African Materials at the Heart of Fashion

Kente, indigo, adire, leather, raw cotton, natural dyes, cowrie shells, and seashells will be central to the event. Fiber producers, weavers, dyers, artisans, manufacturers, designers, and buyers are expected from 9 am to 8 pm, with dedicated spaces for raw, semi-processed, and finished materials.

The program presented by the organization showcases various crafts from the continent. It highlights kente from Ghana, adire from Nigeria, raw cotton from Uganda, leather from Ethiopia, dyes from Mali, and cowries from Senegal. The material thus becomes the starting point for understanding how a piece is constructed, well before it hits the runway.

In Ghana, this focus on the upstream part of the supply chain aligns with ongoing discussions about intellectual property. The Ghana News Agency linked Alt.FFF to a workshop organized with the Association of Ghana Industries, where textile professionals, artisans, designers, and institutions discussed the protection of creations and the structuring of the sector.

Fashion that Begins Before the Garment

Makeba Boateng, founder of Fashion Forum Africa and curator of Alt.FFF, aims to increase the visibility of the producers and companies that shape the materials used by designers. The magazine Melange Africa emphasizes that the fair should also bring together manufacturers, artisans, buyers, retailers, investors, and sourcing professionals.

For the public, this perspective changes the way one views a fabric or accessory. The origin of a fiber, the dyeing technique, the density of a weave, or the finish of a leather become integral style elements, on par with the cut or color of a garment.

Alt.FFF is organized by Fashion Forum Africa with support from Ghanaian industry and cultural stakeholders, including the Association of Ghana Industries and the National Commission on Culture. The first edition is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9 am to 8 pm, at the Palms Convention Centre in Accra.