Tokyo Africa Selection 2025
We are excited to announce a limited-time pop-up event at Seibu Shibuya showcasing emerging fashion brands from across Africa, including Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, and Ghana. From luxury labels making waves in Europe and the U.S. to cutting-edge streetwear brands, the pop-up offers a diverse lineup. This is a rare opportunity to discover and shop items not usually available in Japan.
Dates: September 16 (Tue) – September 22 (Mon), 2025
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Venue: SEIBU Shibuya, Building A, 2nd Floor (21-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Organizer: Stagebank, Inc.
Co-organizer: Uzuri LLC
Nigeria
PITH Africa
Founded in Lagos, Nigeria, PITH Africa is a unisex fashion brand established in 2020 by a group of friends who met in university dormitories. The founders set out to express Africa’s evolving identity through fashion, visuals, and immersive experiences. PITH stands at the forefront of African youth culture, pursuing creative freedom beyond conventional boundaries. Its designs draw inspiration from Lagos’s vibrant street culture, resulting in unique and innovative styles. The brand is also deeply committed to sustainability. In 2020, PITH launched a collection of upcycled denim, crafted using denim sourced from local Lagos second-hand markets and produced in collaboration with local artisans. This initiative aims to address environmental, economic, and social impacts within the fashion industry. PITH Africa’s distinct perspective and creativity have earned it recognition on the international fashion stage.
Nigeria
WAFFLESNCREAM
WAFFLESNCREAM (commonly known as WAF), founded in 2012 in Lagos, Nigeria, is the country’s first skateboarding brand and a catalyst for community building. Founder Jomi Marcus-Bello provides young people with a platform for self-expression through skateboarding, contributing to the growth of urban culture. WAF goes beyond being a fashion label, engaging deeply with local communities through initiatives such as establishing skate parks, running skate schools, and organizing cultural events. These efforts offer young Lagosians spaces to express themselves and foster a sense of community. The brand’s collections blend fashion with skate culture, incorporating a strong sense of African identity. WAF’s activities have been widely recognized both in Nigeria and internationally, opening new possibilities for African youth culture through skateboarding and fashion.
Nigeria
OBIDA
Founded by Nigerian fashion designer Obida Obioha, OBIDA combines traditional Adire dyeing techniques with contemporary minimalist design. The brand’s creations respect Africa’s cultural heritage while reinterpreting it through a modern lens. The circular motif featured in OBIDA’s logo symbolizes the brand’s identity and West African roots, representing the enduring flow of cultural expression and embodying the spiritual essence behind each piece. In 2023, OBIDA, with support from the French Embassy, represented Nigeria at the international fashion trade show Who’s Next in Paris. This milestone enhanced OBIDA’s visibility on the global fashion stage and highlighted the potential of Nigeria’s fashion industry. OBIDA’s creations merge traditional African craftsmanship with modern design, aiming to provide wearers with a sense of spiritual richness and joy.
Ghana
AAKS
AAKS is a luxury handbag brand from Ghana, founded by Akosua Afriyie-Kumi. Each collection reinterprets the centuries-old raffia weaving techniques of West Africa through a contemporary and refined design lens. Vibrant colors and intricate weaves embody the warmth of natural fibers and the artistry of master craftsmanship, giving every bag a unique presence. With a strong commitment to sustainable production, AAKS empowers local female artisans and contributes to the growth of regional economies. Beyond fashion, each piece holds the value of both art and social impact, earning global recognition and being showcased in select boutiques and museums around the world.
Egypt
UPFUSE
Founded in Cairo in 2013, Up-Fuse is a sustainable design brand that transforms discarded plastic bags and waste materials into bags and accessories. By upcycling locally collected and processed materials, the brand bridges environmental responsibility with contemporary urban lifestyles. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, showcasing distinctive patterns and colors born from its materials. With modern and minimal forms that seamlessly integrate into daily life while elevating personal style, Up-Fuse stands out as both practical and expressive. Working closely with local communities, the brand also creates employment opportunities for women and youth, making its commitment to social impact and design excellence internationally recognized.
Kenya
Ocean Sole
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Ocean Sole is a sustainable art brand that transforms discarded flip-flops washed ashore into vibrant sculptures and design objects. Skilled artisans meticulously carve and polish each piece, creating striking animal figures and home décor items that reflect Africa’s natural beauty and cultural spirit. Beyond recycling, Ocean Sole reimagines waste as hope, presenting bold new value through art. By combining environmental conservation with local job creation, the brand delivers both social and ecological impact. Today, Ocean Sole’s colorful works are celebrated worldwide as symbols of creativity, sustainability, and cultural storytelling.
Ghana & Madagascar (Japan)
HIBIRI
A dermatologist-supervised fragrance deodorizing mist that can even be used on underwear.
It contains essential oils from Madagascar, moisturizing shea butter from Ghana, and skin-friendly antibacterial ingredients derived from the pure water of Niigata, Japan. Its palm-sized bottle makes it easy to carry around. It can also be used to address odor and itching in the delicate zone.
A portion of the sales is donated to NGOs working to empower women in Africa.
Stagebank
Stagebank, Inc., the organizer of the pop-up event "Tokyo Africa Selection 2025," has been continuously hosting the fashion show Tokyo Africa Collection since 2016 to showcase the attractiveness of Africa. Our primary mission is to introduce the lesser-known attractiveness of various African countries to young Japanese audiences in their teens and twenties who are generally uninterested in Africa. In addition to inviting and promoting African brands, our approach differs from other Africa-related fashion projects in Asia and Europe: we consistently feature primarily Asian models and influencers who are popular among younger generations and who they can relate to.We place strong emphasis on casting, branding, and production that reflect the needs and preferences of younger audiences in their teens and twenties.
