Paris Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer 2026 Men’s Edition wrapped up with style, swagger, and a strong nod to African creativity and cultural pride. While the French capital is always a global fashion hotspot, this season’s spotlight felt distinctly Afrocentric — from the runway to the front rows.
African designers and stars alike didn’t just show up — they showed out. The collections on display were not only visually striking but deeply rooted in heritage, identity, and innovation.
Designers of the Moment: 3.Paradis and Jah Jah
Two names that stood out this season were Emeric Tchatchoua, the Cameroonian-French Canadian force behind 3.Paradis, and Daquisiline Gomis, the French-Senegalese designer and founder of Jah Jah. Both brought a fresh, soulful perspective to the Parisian runway, anchoring high fashion in ancestral influence.
Tchatchoua’s 3.Paradis presentation, aptly titled “Steps to Nowhere,” played with muted desert tones—think soft beiges and dusty browns—as a visual homage to the vast, spiritual emptiness of the Sahara. It was minimalist yet moving, offering a poetic lens through which to view African identity in flux.
Meanwhile, Gomis’ Jah Jah label delivered a powerful show dubbed “A Silent March.” The collection pulled from both Caribbean and African aesthetics: tailored West African suits met colorful Jamaican crochet, and the runway buzzed with a preview of a new Adidas collaboration featuring custom sneakers inspired by the Ethiopian flag. It was Afro-diasporic fusion at its best.
Style Royalty: African Celebrities Who Stole the Scene
Fashion Week wouldn’t be Fashion Week without its glamorous front-row attendees, and African stars made sure their presence was impossible to ignore.
Davido
The Nigerian superstar, always a trend magnet, delivered a headline-making outfit at the 3.Paradis show. His look was a daring mix: a white tank top layered under a netted cream top, paired with fur shorts and topped off with an ornate blazer. Davido brought drama and confidence — and didn’t miss a beat.
Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold came through with effortless charisma. His earthy-toned ensemble featured a chocolate brown trench coat over a crisp white shirt and forest-green baggy trousers. Add in a pair of loafers, gemstone rings, a green tote bag, and dark sunglasses, and you’ve got a look that screams intentional and unbothered.
Aya Nakamura
French-Malian pop queen Aya Nakamura was every bit the showstopper in a sheer, off-white halter gown embroidered with delicate patterns. Her soft, ethereal aesthetic was accented with a simple folding fan and minimal jewelry, allowing her radiant presence to do all the talking.
Stormzy
British-Ghanaian rapper Stormzy showed up for Jacquemus in a more understated but still commanding look. His monochrome olive green outfit—a pointed-collar shirt and wide-legged pants—was clean, elegant, and entirely on brand.
Rema
Raves & Roses sensation Rema took a more relaxed route, turning heads in a loose, all-black set—jacket, pants, and polished leather shoes. With his locs flowing and dark shades on, Rema was the embodiment of Gen Z cool-meets-classic swagger.
Asake
While not detailed in the original report, it’s fair to assume that Asake, known for his bold fashion sensibilities, didn’t come to Paris to play it safe either. With his love for standout prints and boundary-pushing pieces, fans were excited just to spot his next move.
Africa’s Fashion Moment Is Now
The energy at Paris Fashion Week was unmistakably global—but the African influence was impossible to ignore. From the textiles to the textures, from streetwear to high fashion, the presence of African designers and creatives marks more than a trend—it’s a shift.
The cross-pollination of fashion, identity, and heritage on display this season showed the world that Africa isn’t just participating in the fashion conversation—it’s helping lead it.
As more African designers carve out global platforms and celebrities embrace Afrocentric aesthetics unapologetically, one thing is clear: African fashion is not just having a moment—it is the moment.
