RHYTHM AFRICA FESTIVAL OPENS FASHION AUDITIONS AS TEMMY KAYODE UNVEILS A VISION BEYOND THE RUNWAY
- Feeln on the 5th
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
Fashion, Culture, Opportunity and Heritage Unite in a Groundbreaking African Showcase
The Rhythm Africa Festival is preparing to redefine what an African fashion showcase can be, as internationally respected designer and fashion educator Temmy Kayode launches auditions for models who will take part in one of the festival's most anticipated attractions.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Just Saying Podcast on FEELn on the 5th, Rhythm Africa Festival Head of Fashion, Temmy Kayode, shared his remarkable journey from a young boy in Nigeria designing and sewing school uniforms to becoming an internationally recognized fashion entrepreneur, educator, and cultural ambassador.
His story is one of innovation, perseverance, and purpose.
Growing up in Ekiti State, Nigeria, Temmy discovered fashion at an early age while observing a tailor who rented a shop from his father. By the age of ten, he was already creating and modifying school uniforms, solving practical problems for fellow students and helping support his family through his growing skills.
That entrepreneurial spirit would eventually lead him to establish fashion businesses, develop fashion education programs, work internationally across Asia and the United States, and become the founder of initiatives dedicated to preserving African cultural fashion heritage.
Now, he is bringing that experience to Rhythm Africa Festival.
More Than A Fashion Show
According to Temmy, the Rhythm Africa Fashion Experience is not simply about finding professional models or showcasing clothing.
Instead, it is about discovering people with passion, potential, and a willingness to grow.
"We are not looking for perfect people," Temmy explained during the podcast. "We are looking for people who are passionate about where they want to be."
This philosophy sits at the heart of the festival's approach.
The Rhythm Africa Festival fashion programme will create opportunities for aspiring models, designers, creatives, and cultural ambassadors to participate in a world-class production that celebrates African identity while opening doors to global opportunities.
Unlike traditional fashion shows, the Rhythm Africa Festival presentation will be fully integrated into the festival experience itself. Fashion will not be isolated on a separate runway but woven into the wider celebration of music, culture, education, entrepreneurship, and African excellence.
Festival organizers believe this creates a more authentic experience that reflects the true role fashion plays within African society—as an expression of identity, storytelling, community, and heritage.
A Platform For New Talent
The auditions are expected to attract aspiring models from across Nigeria, Africa, and the African diaspora.
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work with experienced fashion professionals and participate in a showcase designed to place emerging talent alongside established industry figures.
The initiative aligns with the wider Rhythm Africa Festival mission of creating genuine pathways for African talent to reach international audiences.
Much like the festival's RAYTribe youth programme, which is providing young performers with opportunities to perform alongside major artists, the fashion auditions are intended to identify and nurture future stars rather than simply celebrate existing ones.
Preserving African Fashion Heritage
A major component of Temmy's vision is the preservation and promotion of African cultural identity through fashion.
As a leader within the African Cultural Fashion Heritage movement, Temmy has spent years advocating for greater recognition of African creativity, craftsmanship, and traditional design knowledge.
The African Cultural Fashion Heritage Academy works to empower creatives by providing education, entrepreneurial training, and pathways into the global fashion industry while celebrating the richness of African culture and tradition.
The partnership between Rhythm Africa Festival and these wider initiatives creates a unique opportunity to connect fashion with education, mentorship, and economic empowerment.
Organizers believe fashion should not only inspire audiences but also create careers, businesses, and sustainable opportunities for future generations.
Why This Is Different
What makes the Rhythm Africa Festival fashion programme unique is its commitment to authenticity.
Rather than simply reproducing international fashion week formats, the festival aims to showcase African fashion through an African lens.
Designers, models, performers, and audiences will all become part of a larger cultural story—one that celebrates creativity while reconnecting communities with their heritage.
Across Africa and the diaspora, there is growing recognition that fashion is more than clothing. It is a powerful expression of identity, culture, innovation, and pride. Experts and cultural institutions increasingly recognize African fashion as one of the continent's most dynamic creative industries and a vital vehicle for preserving cultural heritage while driving economic growth.
Rhythm Africa Festival aims to place that story centre stage.
Watch The Full Conversation
The full interview with Temmy Kayode is available on FEELn on the 5th as part of the Just Saying Podcast series hosted by Stevie Eagle E.
In the episode, Temmy discusses his childhood in Nigeria, his journey through the fashion industry, the importance of responsibility, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and his vision for building opportunities for the next generation through Rhythm Africa Festival.
For aspiring models, designers, and fashion enthusiasts, the conversation offers a powerful insight into the mindset and values behind one of the festival's most exciting new initiatives.
Applications and audition details for the Rhythm Africa Festival Fashion Experience will be announced through Rhythm Africa Festival and FEELn on the 5th platforms.
The future of African fashion is not just about what people wear.
It is about who they become.
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