NUEL BANS SPOTLIGHTS THE NEED FOR STRUCTURE, INVESTMENT, AND ECOSYSTEM BUILDING IN AFRICAN FASHION ON FRANCE 24
During Paris Fashion Week Men’s, Nuel Bans, founder of Debonair Afrik and Style Lounge Wearhouse (SLW), appeared on France 24’s Eye on Africa to discuss the future of African fashion and the urgent need for stronger industry structures across the continent.
Known for his work championing African creatives through Debonair Afrik since 2015, Nuel used the international platform to highlight a challenge often overlooked in conversations about African fashion: the gap between talent and sustainable industry development.
Speaking from Paris, where Style Lounge Wearhouse was showcasing a curated selection of African brands and designers, Nuel emphasized that the future of African fashion depends not only on creativity but also on education, structure, and investment.
“In order to make an impact in an industry, you need to educate, structure, and then invest” he shared during the interview.
For over a decade, Debonair Afrik has worked to support emerging designers through media, storytelling, events, and industry access. Through Style Lounge Wearhouse, Nuel has expanded this mission by creating spaces where African brands can directly connect with consumers, buyers, and global audiences while experiencing the culture that shapes their work.
The Paris activation brought together fashion, lifestyle, food, sustainability discussions, and cultural exchange, creating a platform that extends beyond traditional retail and showcases the depth of African creativity.
Throughout the interview, Nuel highlighted the importance of building pathways for emerging talent beyond the runway. While acknowledging the significant work already being done by fashion platforms across Africa, he stressed the need for greater investment mechanisms that help designers scale their businesses after showcasing their collections.
Reflecting on one of his proudest achievements, Nuel shared how advocating for African designers in international spaces helped open conversations around access, education, and representation within global fashion systems. His commitment remains focused on ensuring that opportunities gained are shared with the next generation of creatives.
“When a door opens for me, it’s not for me to shut the door, but to open it for others” he said.
As African fashion continues to gain global recognition, Nuel Bans remains committed to building bridges between creativity and commerce, ensuring that talented designers are not only seen but supported through structures that enable long-term growth.
About Nuel Bans
Nuel Bans is the founder of Debonair Afrik, a leading African fashion and lifestyle media platform, and the visionary behind Style Lounge Wearhouse. Through media, events, talent development, and ecosystem building, he continues to champion African creativity and create opportunities for emerging designers across the continent.
Media Contact:
Debonair Afrik
www.debonairafrik.com
