Eco Fashion Week Africa (EFWA) launched its third edition in Kampala with a call for a “No New Clothes” movement to cut fashion waste and promote sustainable consumption across the continent.
The week-long event runs from November 1 to 8 at Emin Pasha Hotel and is part of a wider continental campaign advocating circular fashion practices, including repairing, swapping, recycling, and upcycling garments.
Ruth Anyango, Co-Founder of EFWA, said the initiative is designed to make sustainability accessible to all, not just fashion industry professionals.
“We involve the fashion lovers, we involve policymakers, we involve producers—everyone who wears clothes. It has to be an inclusive space if we are going to tackle climate change through fashion,” she said.
The Kampala edition aims to highlight innovative local artisans and raise awareness about the environmental cost of fast fashion.
The program includes runway shows, community activities, and workshops focused on practical solutions to reduce textile waste and promote responsible production throughout Africa’s fashion value chain.
Belinda Atieno, Co-Founder of EFWA, explained the “No New Clothes” campaign encourages the public to rethink garment production and consumption.
“No new clothes means you do not need to produce new clothes in the name of a fashion week or runway. You can even come to the event without buying new clothes—you rent, you borrow, you recycle, you swap,” she said.
Atieno added that awareness alone is insufficient: “We tell you it’s bad to keep buying, buying, buying, but mostly you don’t know how to go about it. The reason is to show you how you can dress well without always buying new.”
Local designers such as Brenda At Handcrafts, Crochet Savvy, Green Amba, and Stand Out Africa are showcasing upcycled and repurposed pieces. Catherine Sawe of SAWE Creations noted that all her runway items were made from discarded materials.
“This fashion show was a statement of care and creativity,” she said.
EFWA is a member of the UN Fashion and Lifestyle Network and advocates for ethical fashion aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
After Kampala, the initiative will continue to Nairobi, featuring eco-markets, clean-up drives, and workshops promoting circular fashion practices at the community level.