A new peer-to-peer programme pairs emerging designers from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa for a landmark creative opportunity offering studio space, mentorship, and direct access to buyers, press, and industry leaders
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 18 March 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The British Council together with Paul Smith’s Foundation and Projekt today announced the launch of the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield a new international exchange programme bringing together a total of six fashion designers from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme kicked off effective from 16 to 23 March 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the aim to collaborate, share expertise, and forge sustainable creative and professional relationships. The programme marks a significant step in positioning London as a genuinely global fashion hub, built on equal partnership rather than one-way knowledge skills transfer.
Farai Ncube, Regional Arts Director, British Council said: ‘This initiative reflects the British Council’s commitment to supporting the creative economy across Africa and the UK by placing creative professionals and their potential at the centre of sustainable growth. Through authentic collaboration, skills exchange, and mutual respect across cultures, we support designers and creative practitioners in building sustainable enterprises and accessing global markets. This cross-continental residency exchange in London and Ethiopia, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and sustainability, will help foster enduring partnerships, facilitate knowledge sharing, and unlock new opportunities for creative talent to thrive and collaborate across borders.’
The six participating designers namely: Solome Asfaw (Ethiopia), Reneta Brehna (UK), Chido Kaseke (Zimbabwe), Bettydora Odhiambo (Kenya), Karoline Vitto (UK), and YAKU (UK) were selected from a closed call application by a jury including representatives from The British Council, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation will receive direct access to industry leaders, buyers, and press through studio tours, professional networking and personal introductions; structured mentorship from Paul Smith’s Foundation’s extensive professional network; production support and facilities access throughout collection development; showcasing opportunities and sustained commercial guidance extending six months post-programme.
‘I was so impressed by the talent of these designers. This kind of residency nurtures the future shapers of the fashion industry, particularly through its invaluable cultural exchange. It reminds us of the importance of learning from voices around the world, and being inspired by our peers,’ said IB Kamara, Creative Director of Off-White.
International designers will be hosted within the Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield a flagship business development programme for early-career fashion designers created by the Mayor of London, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation, with support from British GQ and the City of London Corporation. The Residency offers free studio space for 18 months and more than 80 hours of business training delivered by industry experts.
‘We’re very excited to be working with the British Council and Paul Smith’s Foundation on this new, innovative programme. Providing subsidised and funded spaces and opportunities for collaboration is a key part of Projekts’ ethos, and we’re proud that this programme reflects our commitment to offering space and infrastructure that enables designers to develop and grow their businesses,’ Nick Hartwright, CEO of Projekt.
Rather than a traditional mentorship model, the programme is designed so that UK and African designers learn from each other sharing perspectives on sustainability, traditional craftsmanship, digital innovation, and the distinct challenges and opportunities of their respective markets. Practical studio sessions are woven together with cultural immersion and reflective learning, creating an experience that deepens each designer’s creative identity and sharpens their commercial edge.
‘We are delighted to be co-creating this new opportunity for international creative exchange. At Paul Smith’s Foundation we champion the enduring value of peer-to-peer support, and are excited to see how these brilliant brands develop their vision through the sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences,’ added Martha Mosse, Director of Paul Smith’s Foundation.
At the heart of Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is a commitment to genuine creative equality. Rather than traditional mentorship models, the programme aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of sustainability, traditional craftsmanship, and digital innovation while expanding their entrepreneurial and creative skill sets. By blending practical, hands-on sessions with reflective learning and cultural immersion, the programme intends to create a holistic experience that enhances each designer’s creative identity and professional potential.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of ENAMEN Consulting
About The British Council Creative DNA
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2024–25 we reached 599 million people. Creative DNA is a flagship programme of the British Council’s creative economy portfolio in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2020, it has supported over 200 fashion entrepreneurs across Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Malawi through mentorship, business development, and showcasing opportunities. The programme is designed to strengthen creative enterprises, foster inclusion, and build international connections between Africa and the UK. www.britishcouncil.org
About Projekt
Projekt was founded by Nicholas Hartwright as a social enterprise in 2012 in response to the lack of affordable creative workspaces in London. Since then, Projekt has opened an arts hotel, multiple creative large-scale music venues and hosts a wide range of events of organisations across its London sites, spanning over a million square feet and directly supporting hundreds of creative business tenants and organisations. Through Projekt’s work with the Mayor of London, the Greater London Authority, the Corporation of London and the British Council, the team at Projekt have come to understand that it’s about providing spaces and building networks, fostering community and shaping culture. This approach to large-scale community building is reflected in Projekt’s ability to collaborate with clients from the ground up and runs through the heart of Projekt’s development and repurposing of every site whether a smaller individual building or a large-scale development project. www.thisisprojekt.com
About Paul Smith’s Foundation
Paul Smith’s Foundation supports early career creative people working in fashion, visual arts, and design. Through in depth and bespoke business mentoring, the Foundation equips creatives with the insight, tools, and network they need to establish and sustain a healthy business for the long term. Through partnerships, we create paid opportunities to freely make, encouraging curiosity and experimentation without financial burden, whilst nurturing potential to help shape a dynamic and enterprising creative sector. https://www.paulsmithsfoundation.org/
