Renowned Nigerian fashion designer Alphadi led a special masterclass at Rome’s Academy of Fashion to celebrate African cotton and design as part of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) World Cotton Day events on 7 October.
Over a two-day session in September, Alphadi, celebrated globally as “the Magician of the Desert” for his haute couture creations, worked with 14 students pursuing degrees at the Academy, guiding them on how to merge African and Italian fashion traditions. Together, they produced seven original cotton-based designs.
“For me, this is a way to highlight all that Africa is capable of,” Alphadi said. “And I think, for me, it’s a fitting way to pay tribute to our continent, and also to value the work and to illustrate Africa’s strengths. African cotton is a quality product, and it can be used by people of the Sahel, as well as Europeans, Americans, the whole world.”
Cecilia Marchesini, one of the participating students, described the collaboration as a unique cultural exchange. “This experience is really interesting for us because it’s the first time we work directly with a culture very different from our own. And we thought it would be fun to be part of this, the idea to challenge ourselves to blend two very different cultures that, in the end, we realised had many similarities.”
Alphadi, who serves as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Goodwill Ambassador for African Innovation and Creation, used the masterclass to underscore the creative and economic potential of African cotton.
World Cotton Day, officially designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, celebrates the significance of cotton in global trade and sustainable development. FAO and its partners use the occasion to promote cotton’s versatility and its role in supporting millions of livelihoods across more than 80 countries.
El Mamoun Amrouk, FAO Senior Economist, noted that the initiative was inspired by African cotton-producing nations seeking global recognition for the industry. “The idea for World Cotton Day came from many African cotton producing countries. They got together and they decided that the best way to promote cotton and their product is to try to push for a World Cotton Day, for the world to celebrate cotton,” he said.
The cotton industry remains vital for economic growth and poverty alleviation, especially in developing nations, generating employment and export revenue for millions worldwide. This year’s partnership between FAO and the fashion sector highlighted cotton’s journey from field to fashion, positioning it as a cornerstone of innovation and sustainability for the next generation.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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