Thisday/Arise Magazine’s four-collection presentation made a strong statement for the arts and aesthetics of Africa.

While some looks were more literal than others, Nigerian Folake Akindele’s Tiffany Amber line was the most successful, displaying the best balance of fashion and tradition with elegantly simple classic shapes, rendered in beautiful fabrics with intricate beading.

The latter corseted a floaty caftan and hemmed crisp A-line dresses. Malian Lamine Badian Kouyaté’s sportswear for Xuly Bët included some terrific charcoal denim jackets and easy jumpsuits. South African Nkhensani Manganyi’s collection for Stoned Cherrie was inspired by singer/activist Miriam Makeba, whose stylish spirit was reflected in everything from a leather skirt and printed silk shirt with billowing sleeves to a floating orange chiffon evening dress worn by Alek Wek.

And Nigerian Fati Asibelua of Momo brought the beasts from Africa with short, sexy animal-printed dresses in gray silk or cashmere knits.