Will You Be One Of The Lucky Designers To Experience CANEX x Tranoï’s Fashion Fiesta in Tokyo?
Imaginary disem-landing in Tokyo Airport, suitcases packed with Ankara designs, to land in a sleek “African Pavilion” at Yoyogi National Stadium. Sash down famous Palais Brongniart corridors in Paris, being the red-carpeted affair bestowed under crystal chandeliers of capsule collections courtesy of 35 African designers. All this is no longer fantasy but actually it’s the new reality of today thanks to CANEX Presents Africa and Tranoï.
Since April 15, aspiring designers across the continent and diaspora have been honing portfolios and honing pitches. Why? Afreximbank’s creative-economy arm, CANEX, has made it possible for two of the world’s most prestigious trade shows: Tranoï Tokyo (September 3–4, 2025) and Tranoï Paris (October 2–5, 2025). Designers get a fully branded pavilion, sales support, media buzz—and an opportunity at a runway show.
Who’s Invited to the Party?
This isn’t the little club of haute couture. CANEX-Tranoï is open to you if:
- You are of African descent or diasporic roots
- You have two or more ready-to-wear or accessories collections under your belt
- Sell through wholesale, e-commerce, or retail, and are actually capable of shipping stock in a timely manner ????
- Are interested in eco-responsibility in your design workflow ????
- Deadline: May 15, 2025—so get sharpening those sketches and give that website an overhaul stat!
What’s in the Goodie Bag?
Selected designers benefit from:
1. Partial subsidization of air fares or accommodations
2. Specialized selling teams to meet buyers in Paris and Tokyo
3. Exposure through Tranoï and CANEX social media channels and media partners
4. Chance to walk in an off-site exclusive runway show hosted by CANEX for three selected brands (Paris only!)
Why This Matters: More Than Just Fabrics
African style comes with swagger, storytelling and staying power—but the world’s tastemakers were not always cognizant. CANEX × Tranoï flips the script by building a bridge between energetic African ateliers and world buyers, editors and influencers. So what happens next? African style on a world stage, local manufacturing trumpeted, and markets opened around the world—just the kind of development powerhouse Afreximbank had sought to create.
Lagos to Yoyogi: A Ripple Effect
Earlier CANEX × Tranoï shows have sparked real change. In October 2024, Lagos Space Programme and Thebe Magugu and other brands turned Palais Brongniart into a playground of Afro‑avant‑garde style—and shoppers were paying attention. Those moments on the catwalk translated to orders, collaborations and press that keep African ateliers busy long after the lights are off. Expect Tokyo‑Paris 2025 to double those success stories—this time with Japanese department stores and Parisian concept shops in pursuit of new talent.
How to Join the Fun
1. Visit the official CANEX × Tranoï call page or still apply here.
2. Prepare your dossier: two collections, business metrics, eco‑credentials.
3. Apply by May 15, 2025—and check your inbox in June for the big reveal.
Whether you’re a ready-to-wear whiz from Accra or an accessory designer in London’s Nigerian expat community, CANEX and Tranoï have flung open the red carpet. The only missing component? You—and your next collection. Don’t let this style fairy tale get away!
