ABOUT SF MODEFA

San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week (SF MODEFA) is a celebration of African fashion, global ethnic design, and exceptional craftsmanship. Rooted in African creativity and heritage, SF MODEFA honors cultural identity, traditional wisdom, social justice, and the enduring spirit of freedom and artistic expression. In recognition of International Ethnic Day and the historic Juneteenth commemoration, SF MODEFA welcomes fashion and craftsmanship from cultures worldwide, creating a vibrant, cross-cultural dialogue that inspires innovation, storytelling, and artistry across fashion, art, music, and technology.

SF MODEFA is the Signature Program of the African Arts Academy, based in San Francisco, California.
African-Led. Globally Inspired. Culturally Rooted.

 

 

CULTURAL FOCUS & DIVERSITY

While African print, textiles, and design from the African diaspora remain central to SF MODEFA’s mission, the program embraces ethnic fashion from diverse cultures worldwide to celebrate global creativity and cultural diversity under one roof.

 

DESIGNER ELIGIBILITY

SF MODEFA invites applications from designers whose work reflects cultural identity, heritage, or ethnic influence. African and African-inspired designers are strongly encouraged to apply. Designers representing global ethnic traditions are also welcome, provided their work aligns with the spirit of cultural authenticity and craftsmanship.

Kindly provide details of any previous shows or exhibitions you have participated in, and indicate the number of garments from your collection that you intend to present.

 

PRIVACY & DATA PROTECTION

IMPORTANT PARTICIPATION NOTICE

This form serves as a preliminary application to express interest in participating in SF MODEFA – San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week. Submission of this form does not guarantee acceptance.

Selected applicants will receive further instructions regarding participation requirements, including fees and documentation.

International participants are responsible for securing their own travel documentation and visas. African Arts Academy and SF MODEFA do not provide visa assistance and are not responsible for visa approvals.

Participation fees, once paid, are nonrefundable and final.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the above information.

Participation Terms & Privacy

How Is My Information Protected?
We take the privacy and security of your information seriously. This form is hosted on Jotform and protected using industry-standard security measures, including Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption, to safeguard your information. This ensures that your personal and application details are safe while being sent and stored.

Payment information, when applicable, is processed securely through third-party payment providers. African Arts Academy and SF MODEFA do not store or have direct access to full credit card details.

How Is My Information Used?
The information you provide is used only to review your application and manage participation in SF MODEFA and other African Arts Academy programs. We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information outside of what is necessary to run the program (for example, payment processing or official communications).

Content Standards
Submitted images are used for application review only to evaluate professional quality, craftsmanship, and suitability for the program. Submissions must not contain obscene or inappropriate content and should be suitable for a public, inclusive, culturally focused fashion platform.

PARTICIPATION & ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Participation Fee Notice
Selected designers will be required to pay a participation fee. This fee supports venue production, marketing, and overall program operations. After submission, detailed information will be shared with designers upon acceptance. Payment may be tax-deductible as permitted by U.S. tax law if based in the United States.

By submitting materials, you grant SF MODEFA and the African Arts Academy permission to review and use submitted images for application review and promotional purposes related to the program.

Uploaded images are used solely for application review and evaluation purposes. Submissions are assessed to determine whether the work meets the professional standards and level of quality required for participation in the SF MODEFA program. Acceptance is based on overall presentation, craftsmanship, and alignment with the program’s curatorial vision.

Note: Submissions must not contain obscene or inappropriate content. All work should be suitable for a public, inclusive, and culturally focused fashion platform.

Participation, Fees & Travel Responsibilities
Participation fees, once paid, are nonrefundable and final.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
International participants are responsible for securing their own travel documents, visas, and travel costs to the United States. After payment is received, African Arts Academy and SF MODEFA will provide a certified and notarized invitation letter but cannot provide visa assistance or guarantee approval.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By submitting this form, you confirm that you have read and understand all of the above information. For any other questions, you are welcome to contact us:

HERE.