In pictures: African fashion week

Models wearing a collection by South Africa-based designer Vesselina Pentcheva

The South African city of Johannesburg has been hosting Africa�s first fashion week. �To have all the African designers in one place is fantastic,� fashion consultant and trend-spotter Theo Omambala told the BBC.

Theo Omambala (left) pictured in the audience during Africa Fasion Week

With more than 45 designers, Ms Omambala (left) says the shows have had a real cross-cultural feel. �People are reinterpreting what it means to be African today.�

A model wearing a dress by South African designer David Tlale (left) and a model in a Krenyann dress by Cameroonian designer Anna Ngann Yonn (right)

�We�re seeing traditional African silhouettes, like the boubou, coming across as well as borrowings from the likes of Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen,� Ms Omambala says.

The audience watches a show of Guinean Ibrahima Doukoure�s collection called Bebenoir

The organiser, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, says South Africa was chosen for the event as all eyes are turned to the country ahead of next year�s World Cup. �I believe that football and fashion make a fantastic marriage.�

A model in a dress by Ghanaian designer Ben Nonterah (left) and an ensemble from Martinque�s Paul-Herve Elisabeth (right)

But more seriously, she says, African can compete with the world�s premier fashion houses. �We have a unique African signature and authentic design. The whole look is not African as in ethnic but African contemporary.�

Ghanaian Shirley Selase in an outfit by Ivorian designer Patrick Asso

Ghanaian Shirley Selase, who now models in New York, wore Ivorian designer Patrick Asso�s Havana-inspired collection (above). �It�s quite remarkable to see Africa putting such a thing together,� she says.

�It should have been done a long time ago,� she says, �There�s great talent here. I think on the strength of the collections, they (London and New York) will be quite impressed.�

A model in an outfit by Ethiopian designer Mekdi (left), a model backstage (centre), a model in Tanzanian designer Mustafa Hassanali�s show (right)

�I think slowly the door is being opened for black African models. I�ll definitely be back next year if they invite me back,� says Ms Selase.

Mozambican designer Taibo Bacar (right) with a model wearing one of his creations

Mozambican designer Taibo Bacar (right) says he enjoys representing his country. �In my collection, I talk about many things: Death, love, green fields, as I try to represent the female beauty in its most beautiful form.�

An outfit by Nigerian fashion designer Ituen Basi (left), a model in an Eyola dress by Nigerian designer Ayole Adede (centre), a Jewel by Lisa outfit designed by Nigerian Lisa Folawiyo (right)

Ms Omambala says the quality of the work seen during the week has been �second-to-none in terms of finishing and aesthetic�. For some Nigerian designers the Yoruba textile ankara was of the moment.

A model wearing an outfit by Ugandan designer Gloria Wavamunno (left), two models backstage at the show for Nigerian designer Lanre da Silva

�Some of the more established fashion weeks - Paris, New York, London - get a bit blase about fashion, whereas here the enthusiasm and passion is fantastic,� says Ms Omambala.

Nigerian designer Folake Folarin-Coker at the end of her show for her label Tiffany Amber

For more on Africa Fashion Week tune into Weekend Network Africa on the World Service on Sunday 21 June. (Interviews: BBC�s Piers Edwards/Photos: Simon Deiner)