Ultra‑fast fashion promises “nice” clothes at impossible prices, but the real cost is paid in African jobs, landfills and lost cultural capital. This session asks how the continent can win the ‘thread wars’ by turning its own strengths – craft, creativity and community – into the foundation of a global circular fashion future. Leading minds in the business of fashion will explore how designers, manufacturers and city‑level innovators are reimagining repair, resale, rental and upcycling, and how policy and investment can back them at scale. From climate‑smart textiles to digital platforms that connect artisans to global markets, the conversation surfaces concrete solutions to stop waste dumping, protect local industries and position African fashion as a global leader in sustainability.

Panelists:

• Ms. Fiskani Kaira, Founder, Fiskani Inc. & The Ivy Showroom
• Ms. Omoyemi Akerele, Founder & CEO, Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files
• Ms. Nyamuoch Girwath, Model, Activist, Founder & Director, Principle Thing
• Ms. Amira Rasool, Founder & CEO, The Folklore
• Mr. Laduma Ngxokolo, Founder, MaXhosa Africa