Côte d’Ivoire took the spotlight at New York Fashion Week on September 12 and 13, 2025, through the Orun x Designers initiative — a platform aimed at promoting African creative talent on the international stage.
Held under the theme of innovation and cultural heritage, the event showcased the artistic richness of Côte d’Ivoire with standout presentations from two iconic figures in Ivorian fashion: Loza Maléombho, who unveiled a new afrofuturist collection in an immersive runway show, and Ibrahim Fernandez, who presented a unique creation blending traditional fabrics and ornaments.
Côte d’Ivoire also highlighted its heritage through an exhibition of traditional masks, underscoring the role of culture as a driver of economic development and international influence, according to the Ivorian Press Agency.
Several Ivorian personalities attended the event, including Mamadou Koné, General Delegate of the Economic Promotion Service in the United States; Dammond Tanoh, Director General of Communication and Media at the Ministry of Communication; and Abdramane Kamaté, Director General of the Abidjan Performing Arts Market (MASA).
They emphasized the importance of cultural industries and invited the public to take part in major upcoming events scheduled in Côte d’Ivoire in 2026, notably the International Exhibition of Audiovisual Content (SICA) and MASA, both organized in partnership with Orun.
Launched during this edition, the Orun x Designers initiative brought together designers, officials, investors, and media around a shared vision — that of "redefining the codes of luxury through creations rooted in Africa’s rich heritage and ancestral craftsmanship, combined with contemporary innovation,” as stated by Habyba Thiero, founder of Orun.