Assembly 2025: The Beginning of Something Bigger
In November 2025, Assembly officially opened its doors, not simply as a festival, but as a new platform for African creativity, education, and community. Assembly was created to bring together the continent's most exciting designers, artists, musicians, thinkers, and entrepreneurs in one shared space to learn, collaborate, and imagine what's next.
Across two days in Nairobi, hundreds of creatives came together for workshops, conversations, exhibitions, live music, and meaningful connections. More than an event, the launch proved that there is a growing appetite for spaces that prioritise knowledge-sharing, celebrate African excellence, and invest in the next generation of creative talent.
Assembly 2025 marked the beginning of a long-term vision: building an ecosystem where creativity is supported not only through inspiration, but through education, opportunity, and community. It was a reminder that when Africa's creatives come together, they don't just exchange ideas—they shape the future.
Photo by Panzigo
BLUEPRINT Workshops
At BLUEPRINT, we believe that the most valuable creative education comes directly from those actively shaping culture. Our workshops are designed to go beyond technical skills, giving participants access to the thinking, processes, and experiences behind some of Africa's most influential creative practitioners.
As part of this mission, we had the privilege of hosting Ayanfe Olarinde and Wanda Lephoto for two inspiring workshops that challenged participants to think more intentionally about their craft.
Ayanfe Olarinde Workshop
Photo by Panzigo
Wanda Lephoto Workshop
Photo by Panzigo
Fashion designer Ayanfe Olarinde led an immersive workshop on restructuring garments, demonstrating how existing pieces can be deconstructed and transformed into entirely new designs. Through experimentation with silhouette, construction, and proportion, participants explored the possibilities of reimagining clothing beyond its original form. The session encouraged designers to see garments not as finished products, but as starting points for innovation, sustainability, and creative expression.
Wanda Lephoto facilitated a thought-provoking workshop on the power of collaboration within the creative industry. Drawing from his own experiences working across fashion, photography, and art, he explored how meaningful partnerships can strengthen ideas, expand perspectives, and produce work that is greater than the sum of its parts. Participants gained valuable insight into building authentic creative relationships, communicating effectively across disciplines, and embracing collaboration as an essential part of long-term creative growth.
Panels
Throughout the event, speakers from diverse disciplines explored the opportunities and challenges shaping fashion, design, music, art, hospitality, and business. Rather than offering definitive answers, the panels encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and open exchange, giving attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from individuals who are actively building and influencing Africa's creative economy.
Panel on The Importance of Cross Culture Collaboration
Photo by Panzigo
Panels at Assembly
Photo by Panzigo
From discussions on creative entrepreneurship and building sustainable brands to collaboration, cultural identity, and the importance of community, each conversation offered practical lessons grounded in real-world experience. Audience members were encouraged to engage, ask questions, and contribute to conversations that extended far beyond the stage.
We covered:
The Importance of Storytelling in Fashion Design
How to Formally and Informally Fund Your Ideas
The Importance of Wellness in the Creative Industry
How Collaboration Across the Continent Can Grow the Creative Industry
How to Build a Successful Creative Business on the Continent
Designing Experiences: Where Hospitality Meets Creativity
adidas x Pana Run Club
adidas x Pana Run Club
Photo by Panzigo
Pana Run Club x Assembly Team
Photo by Panzigo
An Assembly Run at The Padel Point Westalnds, powered by adidas in partnership with Pana Run Club and Urban Swaras Running Club, brought participants together through movement .
Following the run, attendees engaged in wellness and recovery sessions featuring mobility training, guided stretching, physiotherapy support and ice baths. Delivered in collaboration with Mint Kenya and Flow Kenya, these sessions offered a holistic approach to recovery. Adidas South Africa complemented the experience with curated product giveaways, reinforcing the program’s focus on care and community.
Assembly Afterparty
No gathering of creatives is complete without music. As the day's programming came to a close, the Assembly Mixer transformed the space into a celebration of culture, creativity, and community, bringing together attendees, speakers, partners, and friends for an unforgettable evening.
Photo by Panzigo
Photo by Panzigo
The night featured an exceptional lineup of DJs whose sounds reflected the diversity of Africa's contemporary music scene. Juls (London) brought his signature fusion of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and soulful rhythms, while WEARECHEMICALS and DUTTY YOSA (Lagos) delivered dynamic sets that captured the energy and innovation of Nigeria's thriving creative culture. Representing Kenya, Hiribae and Shishi kept the crowd moving with carefully curated selections that celebrated East Africa's growing influence on the global music landscape.