Ajak Deng & Maria Borges Celebrate Africa’s Rising Fashion Talent in Models.com Feature

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Ajak Deng and Maria Borges for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng and Maria Borges for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

South Sudanese model Ajak Deng and Angolan model Maria Borges star in Models.com’s “ Africa Rising ” editorial, a showcase of over 20 fashion designers from the continent.

“The fashion map continues to be redrawn with the new inclusion of design communities from around the world. Overflowing with talent, yearning for investment, Africa as a continent stands on the brink of an economic surge. There seems to be a resolute spirit of turning challenges into opportunities. Lack of working factories? Countries like South Africa, Ethiopia, and Kenya have stepped up to the plate offering traditional large scale manufacturing along with artisanal craftsmanship. No formal retail structure? E-commerce is booming with sites like Oxosi and Kisua , connecting consumers around the world with African designers. And with Sub-Saharan Africa reputation growing as one of the leading expanding economies with $31 billion spending potential and slowly but surely stabilizing infrastructures, it’s fit that it seems ready to step into the spotlight.”

Vividly lensed by Ed Singleton , the beauties wear selections from Almasika , Bridget Awosika , Brother Vellies , GREY , Kenneth Ize , Loza Maleombho , Meena , Needle & Thræd , Nkwo , Nomad Vintage NYC , Omer Asim , Omondi , Orange Culture, Osei Duro , Post-Imperial , , Richard Braqo , Third Crown , Tree Fairfax , Tsemaye Binitie , Sophie Zinga , and Washington Roberts .

Styling for the shoot was done by Solange Franklin , with hair by Sirsa Ponciano , makeup by Laura Stiassni , and nails by Yukie Miyakawa .

Ajak Deng wearing couture wrap, Nkwo; top, Sophie Zinga; pants, Omondi; and choker, Needle & Thræd and Maria Borges wearing top, Loza Maleombho; pants, Omondi; and choker, Needle & Thræd for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing couture wrap, Nkwo; top, Sophie Zinga; pants, Omondi; and choker, Needle & Thræd and Maria Borges wearing top, Loza Maleombho; pants, Omondi; and choker, Needle & Thræd for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing dress, Washington Roberts; shoes, Brother Vellies; ribbon choker, MOKUBA; vintage necklace; and bag, Nomad Vintage NYC for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing dress, Washington Roberts; shoes, Brother Vellies; ribbon choker, MOKUBA; vintage necklace; and bag, Nomad Vintage NYC for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

 Maria Borges wearing coat, Omondi; pants, Orange Culture; shoes, Shem Paronelli Studios for Kenneth Ize,; vintage sunglasses, Christian Dior; and earrings, Third Crown and Ajak Deng wearing coat, Omondi; pants, Washington Roberts; shoes, Brother Vellies; and vintage glasses, Linda Derector for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton


Maria Borges wearing coat, Omondi; pants, Orange Culture; shoes, Shem Paronelli Studios for Kenneth Ize,; vintage sunglasses, Christian Dior; and earrings, Third Crown and Ajak Deng wearing coat, Omondi; pants, Washington Roberts; shoes, Brother Vellies; and vintage glasses, Linda Derector for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing top, Bridget Awosika; pants, Ré; shoes, Loza Maleombho and Ajak Deng wearing top, Bridget Awosika; pants, Orange Culture; and shoes, Loza Maleombho for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing top, Bridget Awosika; pants, Ré; shoes, Loza Maleombho and Ajak Deng wearing top, Bridget Awosika; pants, Orange Culture; and shoes, Loza Maleombho for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing jumpsuit, Meena; shoes, Brother Vellies; bags, Tree Fairfax; vintage glasses, Linda Derector; choker, Needle & Thræd; and neckerchief, Post-Imperial for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing jumpsuit, Meena; shoes, Brother Vellies; bags, Tree Fairfax; vintage glasses, Linda Derector; choker, Needle & Thræd; and neckerchief, Post-Imperial for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing dress, Omer Asim; shoes, Richard Braqo; necklace, Osei Duro; cuffs, Almasika for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing dress, Omer Asim; shoes, Richard Braqo; necklace, Osei Duro; cuffs, Almasika for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing jumpsuit, Tsemaye Binitie; choker, Needle & Thræd; earrings and bracelets, Third Crown; and vintage glasses, Linda Derector for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing jumpsuit, Tsemaye Binitie; choker, Needle & Thræd; earrings and bracelets, Third Crown; and vintage glasses, Linda Derector for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing top, Washington Roberts; pants, Tsemaye Binitie; shoes, Brother Vellies; earrings, Dog Tag; necklace, choker and bracelets on right hand, Third Crown; and silver bracelet on left hand, Almasika and Ajak Deng wearing jumpsuit, Tsemaye Binitie; shoes, Brother Vellies; choker, Needle & Thræd; earrings and bracelets, Third Crown; and vintage glasses, Linda Derector for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing top, Washington Roberts; pants, Tsemaye Binitie; shoes, Brother Vellies; earrings, Dog Tag; necklace, choker and bracelets on right hand, Third Crown; and silver bracelet on left hand, Almasika and Ajak Deng wearing jumpsuit, Tsemaye Binitie; shoes, Brother Vellies; choker, Needle & Thræd; earrings and bracelets, Third Crown; and vintage glasses, Linda Derector for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing top and skirt, Ré; shoes, Brother Vellies; green waist bag, Tree Fairfax for Orange Culture; fringed bag, Nomad Vintage NYC; and vintage necklace and sunglasses for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing top and skirt, Ré; shoes, Brother Vellies; green waist bag, Tree Fairfax for Orange Culture; fringed bag, Nomad Vintage NYC; and vintage necklace and sunglasses for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing shirt worn as dress, Kenneth Ize; vintage glasses, Linda Derector; choker, Needle & Thræd; necklace, Azubike Ononye for Orange Culture for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing shirt worn as dress, Kenneth Ize; vintage glasses, Linda Derector; choker, Needle & Thræd; necklace, Azubike Ononye for Orange Culture for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing shirt worn as dress, Kenneth Ize; shoes, Brother Vellies; vintage glasses, Linda Derector; choker, Needle & Thræd; necklace, Azubike Ononye for Orange Culture for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Maria Borges wearing shirt worn as dress, Kenneth Ize; shoes, Brother Vellies; vintage glasses, Linda Derector; choker, Needle & Thræd; necklace, Azubike Ononye for Orange Culture for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing dress, GREY and shoes, Shem Paronelli Studios for Kenneth Ize for Models.com "Africa Rising" by Ed Singleton

Ajak Deng wearing dress, GREY and shoes, Shem Paronelli Studios for Kenneth Ize for Models.com “Africa Rising” by Ed Singleton

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