Community Upliftment By African Mosaique

L-R: Adama Ndiaye of Adama Paris, Alex and Sophie Ducasse

One of the things that thrills me is Africans giving back with impacting initiatives to benefit Africa. Thrills me!  The annual African Mosaique cultural benefit gala will took place last week Friday (10 January) at The Sheraton Addis, Ethiopia. Although I wasn't in attendance a information about the event and a few photos were sent to me. 

L-R: Nicole Parker, Anna Getaneh & Boris Kodjoe

The benefit is the brainchild of former supermodel and businesswoman  Anna Getaneh - who directed and produced the event. Celebrity couple Boris Kodjoe and his wife Nicole Parker, whom South Africa got to know as an onscreen couple in popular television series, Soul Food, were hosts. 

In keeping with all past fourteen African Mosaique’s benefit initiatives held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, all proceeds go to the Ethiopian Children’s Fund (ECF). The ECF is an integrated development project for children and adolescents in Aleltu, 55km north of Addis Ababa.  It comprises of a school, health clinic, feeding program and environmental programs for over seven hundred destitute and highly vulnerable children, mostly orphans and several thousand people from the surrounding communities, through its outreach programs.

Fourteen international African designers showcased elements that ranged from the festive and ceremonial, to the spectacular and classical. These consisted of eight established Ethiopian designers; Ayni’s Designers, Paradise Fashion, Yefikir Design, Esete Fashion, Meshki Ethiopia, Mafi, Urban Roots Eco Couture, Yohannes Sister’s Couture and three emerging designers; Abugida Fashion, Nahi Designs and Kenane Leather. As a premier platform that promotes and celebrates African fashion and design African Mosaique chose to highlight three renowned guest designers Adam from Dakar, Shaldon Kopman from Johannesburg and Stephanie from New York.  Twenty-five stunning models walked the ramp long with veteran international African models Sophie Ducasse ‘Tiga’ (Republic of Benin/France) and Julia Otobo (South Africa).

L-R: Anna Getaneh, Adeelah Carrim & Sheldon Kopman

Guests were entertained with plays staged by the the ECF drama club and additional funds were raised through the auction of exquisite designs and other exciting gifts donated by sponsors and designers.

Adeelah Carrim & Boris Kodjoe

Adeelah Carrim & Sheldon Kopman of Naked Ape

L-R: Adeelah Carrim, Nicole Parker & Boris Kodjoe