25 September 2010, 01:00 p.m.

A fusion of traditional materials and modern style was the theme that ran through many of the collections coming down the runway, during the Hub of African Fashion Week catwalk show.

The show, which took place Friday night, 24 September in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,  featured African designers from Ethiopia, Congo, Kenya and Somalia. Under the banner "Uniting the Industry for Sustainable Development Through Fashion", organizers said they wanted to respond to the growing need in society to focus on sustainable development and growth. To do this, the event has brought in designers from across the continent to showcase their fashion, as well as industry insiders who could encourage and mentor up-and coming designers.

One such example of the blending of the traditional and the modern was the Mela line. Ethiopian designer Hirut Gougsa presented outfits that either used traditional materials, such as hand woven local cotton, in ultra modern deisigns or she made traditional Ethiopian outfits in modern materials.

The show marked Ms. Gougsa first foray into clothing design. Normally a handbag and accessory maker, she said that she decided to try her hand at clothing  after being approached by the event's organizers.

"I can't tell you how much this means to me," she said. "I took this up as a challenge and the feedback from friends and strangers has been amazing."

For many of the participants of the three-day event, taking part was important. Kahindo Mateene, the Congolese designer behind the Modahnik label, said she wanted her clothes to reflect both the vibrancy of Africa and to be a beacon to the rest of the world. 

"It was so important for me to be here," she said. " I want people to see the growing market here and to show that beautiful clothes are being designed and made in Africa."

The Hub of Africa Fashion Week ends Saturday, 25 September, with a celebration of South African Heritage at the South African Embassy.