Heritage Craft at AGFG: Celebrating the Skills Behind Fashion

Every culture has its own approach to fashion, shaped by generations of craftsmanship, traditional techniques and creative expression.

At the African Global Fashion Games (AGFG), Heritage Craft is one of the competition disciplines where designers and fashion professionals can present work that draws on these traditions.

The category welcomes different expressions of heritage fashion, allowing participants from across the world to demonstrate how traditional skills and techniques can be used in contemporary design.

What Counts as Heritage Craft?

Heritage Craft goes beyond creating garments inspired by traditional clothing. It considers the materials and craftsmanship involved in bringing a design to life.

What matters is how elements are used, the quality of the craftsmanship and the designer’s understanding of the cultural practices behind the work.

The discipline provides an opportunity to appreciate different fashion traditions while recognising the technical skills required to preserve and develop them.

Recognising the People Behind the Craft

Many traditional fashion techniques have been developed and passed down through generations of artisans and communities.

When designers work with artisans or draw directly from established cultural practices, it is important to acknowledge where those techniques originate and who contributed to the finished work.

This includes documenting the source of materials and techniques, recognising collaborating artisans and obtaining appropriate consent when working with community knowledge or cultural expressions.

Where benefit-sharing arrangements apply, the terms should be clearly agreed upon by those involved.

These practices help ensure that the people who contribute to heritage fashion receive appropriate recognition for their knowledge and work.

How Will Heritage Craft Be Judged?

As part of the AGFG competition, Heritage Craft entries will be assessed on criteria such as originality, technical execution, craftsmanship and cultural integrity.

Judges will consider how effectively traditional techniques are applied, the quality of the finished work and how the design reflects the heritage it represents.

Participants competing within the same discipline and competition level will be assessed against the same standards, regardless of the country they represent.

Preparing a Heritage Craft Entry

Designers interested in competing in Heritage Craft should begin by documenting the creative process behind their work.

This may include information about the traditional techniques used, their cultural origins, the materials involved and the artisans or communities who contributed to the design.

Keeping accurate records of these details, including any relevant consent or collaboration agreements, can help participants prepare for the official submission process.