African Street Style Festival 2016

African Street Style Festival 2016

Melt Yourself Down, Sons of Kemet, Amira Kheir, Yussef Kamaal, Family Atlantica, Zec Luhana Street-Dance, Live Art by Ben H. Summers, Hassan Hajjaj, Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, Irineu Nogueira and more…

Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 July 2016
Shoreditch, London E2

The programme line-up has been unveiled for the African Street Style Festival 2016. Taking place in the heart of Shoreditch, the African Street Style weekend enters its fourth year, transforming the historic Boundary Estate and Arnold Circus into a unique ‘street-based’ setting for the vibrant expression of creative and urban culture that reflects the continuing influence of African cities, regions and its diaspora on London life.

The African Street Style Festival brings together an eclectic mix of inspirations, from shamanistic rituals and Amharic vocals in music, to the lavish influence of a Marrakech boudoir; presenting North African cultural traditions through acoustic musical sets and dynamic photography. Fashion combines the traditional print, with the subtle influences of the diaspora.

This year kicks off on Saturday 23 July with a free concert at Shoreditch Church with a rich, live programme including progressive jazz, Afrobeat, punk and funk blenders, Melt Yourself Down plus Italian-Sudanese sensation Amira Kheir, hailed as the ‘Diva of the Sudanese desert’ (BBC World News).

The Sunday 24 July will see Calvert Avenue revamped into a magical place of performance and theatre, featuring a series of live performances from an eclectic line-up representing some of the capitals most progressive bands. London based musical collective Sons of Kemet will be pushing musical boundaries; Family Atlantica will be merging Venezuelan vibes via West African rhythm and dance; and the addition of the hot, neo-soul and jazz influenced trio Yussef Kamaal ensures an outstanding musical journey for attendees. Simultaneously, stance, strut and boogie will be provided by performances from Zec Luhana Street Dance and the irrepressible Irineu Noguieira, combining Sao Paulo energy and tradition, supported by live musicians from across the African continent.

London based figurative painter and multimedia artist Ben H. Summers, will be creating a live public art display, and celebrated British/Nigerian designer Samson Saboye will be showcasing creations from his current collection. African Street Style 2016 will also present a platform for emerging talent from this year’s London College of Fashion BA16 Show, with collections featuring in Vogue’s Spring / Summer 2017 Ready To Wear edit (designers include Henrietta O’Conner + more T.B.A.)


The African Street Style Festival was first launched in 2013 produced by creative arts organisation SIMPLICIOUS headed up by cultural entrepreneur Jeffrey Lennon.

“The simple objective behind the festival is to provide a unique, open, street-based platform to highlight and celebrate the influence of African creativity in London,” says SIMPLICIOUS founder and CEO Jeffrey Lennon. “We achieve this through welcoming emerging and established artists to share their talents in photography, public and visual art, music, fashion, film, and live performance. We are delighted with the 2016 programme and look forward to welcoming people to this special and historic part of town.”

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