# Ethnic Runway Fashion African-Inspired Designs Rock NY Fashion Week and Arise Magazine By Going Like Sixty | Published 2009-02-21 | Luxury Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ethnic-fashion-faces-alek-wek-breaks-ground-at-new-york-fashion-week References: [fashionisimablog.blogspot](http://fashionisimablog.blogspot.com/2009/02/alek-wek-para-i-d.html) & [fashionmodeldirectory](http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/alek_wek/showphoto/135679) Alek Wek is the face of African fashion. This Day/Arise [African Fashion Collective](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afrofuturism-1) hit the catwalk on the opening night of New York Fashion Week. Grace Jones walked the ramp to officially introduce four designers. Stoned Cherrie presented an [Autumn/Winter collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bach-mai) with Xuly Bet, Malian, MOMO, and Tiffany Amber, designers from Nigeria. Arise Magazine celebrates the achievements of Africans in music, fashion and art. Alek Wek, who is from the Sudan, has graced the cover of Arise alongside other iconic models. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Luxury](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxury) > [Luxury Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/luxuryfashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **African-inspired Designs:** There is an opportunity for fashion brands to incorporate African-inspired designs into their collections, creating unique and culturally diverse fashion statements. - **Ethnic Runway Fashion:** The rise of ethnic runway fashion showcases a demand for more diversity and representation in the fashion industry, opening up opportunities for designers to explore and celebrate different cultures. - **Celebrating African Achievements:** The celebration of African achievements in music, fashion, and art presents an opportunity for brands to collaborate with African artists, promoting cultural appreciation and inclusivity. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** The fashion industry can tap into the trend of African-inspired designs and ethnic runway fashion, creating new styles and expanding their consumer base to include a more diverse audience. - **Art:** The art industry can explore collaborations with African artists to showcase their talents and celebrate African achievements, fostering cross-cultural exchange and appreciation. - **Music:** The music industry can leverage the celebration of African achievements to promote and collaborate with African musicians, creating new opportunities for cultural fusion and global exposure. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [African Fashion Futures Incubators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/african-fashion-futures-incubator.md) - [Victory-Inspired Premium Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marathon-collection.md) - [Silky Camouflage-Design Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lisous-empire-collection.md) - [Cross-Cultural Runway Shows](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chinese-golden-age-models.md) - [Nigerian-Inspired Handbags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/larallan.md) - [African Culture-Honoring Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kundung-pembe.md) - [Sustainably-Focused Experimental Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upcycled-fashion-collection.md) - [Local Hotspot Fashion Shoots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heartbeat-campaign.md) - [Jamaican Folklore-Inspired Fall Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anansi-rhythm.md)