SF  MODEFA

WHAT IS SF MODEFA?

SF MODEFA stands for San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week. It is a marketplace offering a platform that blends a cutting-edge global fashion show with live entertainment, an art exhibition, and exquisite exotic cuisine curated by a distinguished celebrity chef. In observance of International Ethnic Day and Juneteenth, we unite communities from all cultural backgrounds to celebrate ethnic excellence, foster inclusivity, and promote world peace.

OVERVIEW

SF MODEFA (San Francisco Modern Ethnic Fashion Week) is a premier charity event presented by the AFRICAN ARTS ACADEMY, a San Francisco-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 2012 and established as a registered nonprofit in 2016, the Academy is dedicated to preserving African cultural legacy through innovative arts education, cultural programming, and community empowerment.

Our mission extends beyond preservation to transformation—changing global perceptions of ethnic arts through educational initiatives, performance opportunities for artists of African descent, and creating platforms that celebrate cultural excellence. SF MODEFA represents our commitment to sustainability, cultural justice, and intellectual entrepreneurship for future generations, while providing economic opportunities for ethnic designers and artisans from diverse backgrounds.

This signature event commemorates both International Ethnic Day and Juneteenth, uniting communities in celebration of our shared humanity through the universal language of art, fashion, and cultural exchange.

HISTORY

SF MODEFA was born from a groundbreaking innovation in cultural celebration. In 2010, Fely Tchaco, founder of the African Arts Academy, pioneered an entirely new concept in the arts and fashion world—a revolutionary multisensory experience that seamlessly integrated fashion, live music, visual art, and culinary excellence in a single cohesive event. This visionary concept debuted as a private showcase at the Seahorse restaurant in Sausalito, California.

As a trendsetting entrepreneur and artist, Fely introduced this unprecedented format to the public on August 3, 2013, at the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco. Drawing from her expertise as both a model and acclaimed musician, Fely envisioned and executed a platform where ethnic artistry could be celebrated in its fullest expression—not as separate elements, but as an integrated artistic experience.

This innovative approach was born not from adversity but from creative vision. Recognizing the untapped potential of combining multiple art forms, Fely designed SF MODEFA as a comprehensive cultural celebration that would spotlight ethnic fashion through ancient traditional design concepts and textiles while simultaneously creating a platform for diverse artistic expression.

Today, SF MODEFA stands as more than an event—it represents a movement and a brand that champions ethnic excellence, creates economic opportunities for designers and artisans from diverse backgrounds, and honors the significant contributions of ethnic immigrant artists to the global economy. Through Fely's pioneering vision, the goal is to implement what began as an innovative concept to evolve into a prestigious cultural institution that continues to set trends in how we celebrate and experience diverse artistic expressions.

VISION

SF MODEFA bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary innovation, creating a dynamic intersection where tradition meets cutting-edge technology. Our vision extends beyond showcasing fashion—we aim to transform global perceptions of ethnic arts through education, celebration, and economic empowerment.

As pioneers in multisensory cultural experiences, we continue to innovate at the intersection of fashion, music, visual art, and culinary excellence. We envision a world where ethnic artistry is not only preserved but elevated, where cultural heritage becomes a source of economic opportunity, and where diverse communities find common ground through creative expression.

Through our dual programs—the Modern Ethnic Fashion Runway Show and the Vendors Pop Up Shop—we create platforms that honor heritage while embracing future possibilities. Each event serves as both a celebration and a marketplace, providing authentic cultural experiences while creating economic opportunities for ethnic artists and designers.

Our ultimate vision is to expand minds through education, inspire hearts through artistic excellence, and build bridges through cultural exchange—creating a more inclusive, appreciative, and peaceful global community that recognizes and values the contributions of all cultures to our shared human experience.