VIBRANT patterns, bright colours and sumptuous fabrics will fill London Olympia during this year's Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL).

For two days the best African-inspired fashion design will be showcased through a series of eye-catching runway shows and vibrant exhibitions.

Designers including Mary Martin, winner of the Mercedes Benz Best Designer in Africa, and Innocente Messy, a young Congolese designer, will exhibit their pieces, while collections from Taiwan and Thailand will demonstrate how African style inspires Asian fashion.

The face of AFWL 2015 is Scottish-born Ugandan Maggie Smith, who will be joined at the festival by AWFL ambassador Ghanaian Victoria Michaels and international model and philanthropist Congolese Nöella Musunka Cousaris.

Since debuting in 2011, AFWL has gone from strength to strength championing emerging designers who are inspired by the rich culture of Africa to incorporate its heritage into their contemporary design.

This year the South African KZN Fashion Council is leading a 20-strong delegation of South Africa’s best designers into their new home – a themed pavilion in the exhibition space. An accompanying catwalk show will signs-off their debut appearance at AFWL.

Creating beautiful hair designs to complement the catwalk clothes is leading haircare brand Motions, which is also 2015's official hair sponsor.

And if you fancy getting involved in the action, try your hand at AFWL's annual catwalk competition, Strut. Each day ten winners can demonstrate their walk on the AFWL catwalk with the chance to win a modelling contract with a top agency.

Africa Fashion Week London, London Olympia West Hall, Hammersmith Road, August August 7 to 8, Friday 1pm to 9pm, Saturday 12pm to 8pm. Details: 020 7385 1200, olympia.co.uk, africafashionweeklondon.com