By Ismaila Jallow
Banjul, The Gambia — The Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub Sierra Leone (ADFHSL) has officially launched in Freetown, Sierra Leone, as a regional fashion and creative platform inspired by the vision, impact, and success of Gambia International Fashion Week (GIFW)—one of West Africa’s most influential fashion platforms founded in The Gambia.
The launch of ADFHSL represents an important milestone in the expansion of Gambian-led fashion excellence beyond national borders, strengthening The Gambia’s position as a creative leader and pioneer within the West African fashion industry.
THE GAMBIA AT THE HEART OF THE CONCEPT
The concept of the Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub Sierra Leone is rooted in the proven model of Gambia International Fashion Week, which has successfully hosted three editions in The Gambia, attracting designers, models, creatives, media, and international stakeholders.
GIFW has consistently demonstrated how fashion can serve as a powerful tool for youth empowerment, cultural promotion, entrepreneurship, and international visibility. Inspired by this success, the Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub Sierra Leone was created as a creative extension of the GIFW vision, aimed at supporting emerging talent across West Africa.
This initiative reflects how a Gambian-born platform continues to influence and shape fashion development across the region.
FOUNDER & REGIONAL VISIONARY
The Founder and Mentor of the Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub Sierra Leone is Ismaila Jallow, the Founder of Gambia International Fashion Week (GIFW).
Ismaila Jallow is a respected Gambian fashion designer based in Milan, Italy, whose work and leadership have elevated Gambian fashion on international stages. Through GIFW, he has built one of the most credible fashion platforms in West Africa, opening doors for African creatives to access global opportunities.
His mentorship ensures that ADFHSL operates with the same professional standards, international credibility, and ethical values that define Gambia International Fashion Week.
REGIONAL IMPACT: FROM THE GAMBIA TO SIERRA LEONE
As part of this regional collaboration, six models from Freetown, Sierra Leone, were successfully presented on the Gambia International Fashion Week runway this year. Their participation reaffirmed GIFW’s role as a gateway platform for West African talent, hosted proudly on Gambian soil.
This exchange further strengthens cultural ties between The Gambia and Sierra Leone, while positioning The Gambia as a hub for regional fashion development.
LEADERSHIP & STRUCTURE IN SIERRA LEONE
While inspired and mentored from The Gambia, the Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub Sierra Leone operates with a strong local leadership structure to ensure sustainability and national ownership.
Ismaila Jallow serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), providing strategic oversight and mentorship from an international perspective.
Alhaji Maddi Bangura, President of ADFHSL, has been a central pillar in establishing the Hub in Sierra Leone. Over the past two years, his dedication, leadership, and continuous collaboration with the GIFW vision have been instrumental in transforming the concept into reality. His work reflects the shared values of youth empowerment, cultural pride, and regional unity championed by The Gambia.
The executive team in Sierra Leone also includes:
Mohamed Alpha Barrie, Vice President Edward Osman Kargbo, Company Secretary
Prince Oscer, Director of Partnerships & Business Development
Mohamed Kanu, Head of Events & Production
Esther Y. Kamara, Brand Ambassador (2025)
A SHARED MISSION FOR WEST AFRICA
The Africa Diaspora Fashion Hub Sierra Leone aligns with the broader mission of Gambia International Fashion Week to:
• Promote African fashion and creative talent
• Provide mentorship, training, and international exposure
• Encourage ethical and inclusive participation in fashion
• Empower youth and protect vulnerable creatives
• Use fashion as a tool for economic and social development
A GAMBIAN LEGACY, A REGIONAL FUTURE
The launch of ADFHSL is a testament to how a Gambian-founded fashion platform has grown into a regional movement. By extending the GIFW model to Sierra Leone, The Gambia continues to lead conversations around fashion development, cultural diplomacy, and creative entrepreneurship in West Africa.
Through collaboration, mentorship, and shared vision, Gambia International Fashion Week remains at the heart of a growing regional fashion ecosystem that celebrates African excellence.