Coast to coast, African fashion designers are getting much-deserved attention from the American fashion industry. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, the ARISE African Collective brought some colorful faces and fresh talent to the New York fashion scene. Now Californians are getting a taste of what African style has to offer. African Vibes magazine rolled out the red carpet in style to celebrate its fourth anniversary of shining a positive spotlight on Africa and Africans, by presenting the "I Wear African" fashion show at the Avalon in Hollywood.
The event was hosted by actress and filmmaker Tangi Miller. Miller is best known for the role of the smart, spirited and stylish Elena Tyler on the J.J. Abrams hit show 'Felicity.' Celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist Roberta "Robbie" Rogers from the Ken Paves Salon Beverly Hills was on the scene prepping Miller for the runway show whose look was inspired by Diana Ross in 'Mahogany.'
The designers who participated included Mekdes Tefera Taye (Ethiopia); Sheila Denanyoh (Ghana) of Ill-la-la Designs; Arthlene Legair (Dominica, West Indies) of the Legair Brand; Kahindo Mateene (Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC) of Modahnik; Maryanne E. Mokoko and Stephanie T. Mouapi (Cameroon) of Côté Minou; jewelry designer Monalisa Okojie (Nigeria) of NEHITA; and Christiane King (Ivory Coast), who is a contestant on this season's 'Project Runway.'

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the African Vibes' "1,000 Africans for Haiti" initiative to help the earthquake victims of Haiti.