Addis Ababa – The runway crossed the Sheraton courtyard pool. Water and fountains framed the walk. Guests gathered along the edge, close enough to see texture and finishing work.
The Bag Show marked a tenth edition in 2025. The format stayed direct. A runway presentation, then a pop-up moment where guests meet designers and place orders.
Sheraton Addis shaped the atmosphere. Security at the entrance. Quiet corridors backstage. A courtyard built for an event where people stay, look, and talk. Staff moved fast and kept the flow smooth.
AFAR joined the anniversary edition with a debut. A first raffia collection, presented in Addis Ababa for the first time. The collection brought a new fiber into a show known for leather and textiles.
Raffia began in Madagascar
The fiber then reached Ethiopia. AFAR women artisans in Addis Ababa assembled, set, and finished each piece. The team treated raffia with the same discipline used for travel bags, strong structure, clean edges, and long wear in mind.
Raffia asks for patience. The weave needs clean tension. Leather handles need precise placement. Finishing work needs a steady hand, from reinforcement points to final inspection.
Backstage, models waited in a narrow passage. Light fell from the doorway. A quick check on bags, hats, and timing. A door opened, and the next look stepped forward.
A wide-brim raffia hat set the tone. Raw edges moved with each step. The hat paired with a raffia bag, light in hand, firm in shape, finished with leather handles and a small label.
The collection moved through a small range of colors. Warm red and orange in hats. Natural raffia tones. A deeper, almost black raffia weave. Each color choice stayed tied to the fiber, not to trend.
The bags read fast on the runway
Shape first. Then weave. Then details. Leather anchors at handles and corners. Finishing work that keeps the silhouette crisp without stiffness.
Flaminia Paternò designed the collection with a clear line. Simple forms. Controlled volume. A balance between softness and structure. Pieces felt ready for a city day, a weekend, and travel.
Guests responded with focus. Heads turned at the doorway. A pause at each bag. A second look at texture and proportion. After the walk, people leaned in, asked questions, and held pieces to feel weight and grip.
The pop-up moment extended the runway. Guests compared sizes, checked how bags sit on the arm, and asked how raffia behaves with daily use. AFAR staff shared origin, making steps, and care guidance in plain terms.
The Bag Show centered on giving
Ticket income supported Our Father’s Kitchen. The event also included an auction, with selected bags offered from participating designers.
AFAR entered one raffia piece in the auction. Bidding rose through the night. The AFAR bag reached the second-highest bid, at a notable figure. Organizers donated the full auction result, along with ticket income, to Our Father’s Kitchen.
A fundraising structure like this changes the room. Shopping becomes action. A purchase supports a table. A bid supports meals. Guests leave with an object and a clear outcome.
The runway itself helped tell the raffia story. Outdoor light showed the weave without tricks. Water and sky brought out color shifts across the fiber. The setting also made the walk feel open and calm, even with a crowd.
A group walk closed the presentation. Multiple looks moved together. Raffia bags sat beside simple garments, allowing the fiber to stay central. The collection held together as one family, with small variations in scale and color.
For AFAR, the night signaled a new chapter
The team proved raffia belongs in Addis design conversations. The team also proved audience interest extends beyond novelty, people cared about origin, making, and the hands behind each finish.
Next steps stay clear. Keep raffia sourcing consistent. Keep Addis making standards high. Expand shapes while protecting the same principles, honest material, strong structure, and a clean finish.
The tenth Bag Show ended as the fountains kept running. Guests lingered, talked, and compared notes. AFAR left with warm feedback, new contacts, and a strong start for raffia in public.
