TALES 2026 Returns to London with The Secret Story, a 30-Day Celebration of African Creativity
TALES (The African Lifestyle Experience) by Bellafricana returns to London this summer for its most immersive edition yet, expanding from 10 days to a month-long celebration. Running from July 24 to August 23, 2026, the experience brings together 80+ African brands, inviting visitors to discover the people, processes, and craftsmanship behind every piece.
Under this year’s theme, The Secret Story, TALES 2026 explores a simple yet powerful idea: while people often admire beautifully made products, they rarely get to experience the histories, decisions, challenges and intentions that brought them to life. Through curated experiences and founder conversations, this year’s edition creates space for those stories to be experienced.
Taking place at TALES House London, Bellafricana’s African lifestyle experience and brand showcase space at 28 Cavendish Square, off Oxford Street, TALES 2026 will transform the venue into a month-long celebration of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and design from across Africa and its diaspora.
Building on the success of previous editions, which featured more than 70 African brands and created opportunities for sales, collaborations and long-term business growth, TALES continues to evolve beyond an annual showcase into a platform where connection, culture and commerce meet.
Across the 30-day programme, visitors can expect:
- 100+ curated African fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and food brands from across Africa and the diaspora. Discover them here.
- The CUT, a live fashion and culture conversation together with Afua Hagan & EMY Africa, exploring the ideas, trends and movements shaping African creativity today.
- The Pause, a dedicated wellbeing experience in partnership with WorkSpa, offering moments of rest, reflection and meaningful connection throughout TALES.
- The Five Senses of Africa, a curated journey through African fashion, beauty, food, fragrance, music and design, inviting visitors to experience the continent beyond what they see.
- Founder Talks and Creative Conversations, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry experts and changemakers to share insights, stories and inspiration.
- Interactive workshops, cultural experiences, networking events and family-friendly activities taking place throughout the month.
- Exclusive product launches, live demonstrations and curated brand activations designed to help visitors discover, connect with and shop directly from African creative brands.
Speaking on this year’s vision, Bukky Asehinde, Founder of Bellafricana, said:
This year’s theme, The Secret Story, came from a simple but powerful thought: some of the most beautiful things people experience are often built on stories they never get to hear.
Behind every founder is courage. Behind every collection is a journey. Behind every product is intention.
TALES 2026 is an invitation to pause and experience African creativity differently, not just through what is visible, but through the stories, people and moments that made it possible. We want people to leave feeling like they discovered something meaningful, not just something beautiful.”
As interest in African brands continues to grow, TALES invites visitors to engage with the people and craftsmanship behind the work, fostering a deeper appreciation for every piece they discover.
Whether attending to discover emerging brands, meet founders, shop intentionally, or simply experience something new, visitors are invited to experience the stories that make every piece more than just a product.
Meet the Creatives for TALES 2026
TALES 2026 is presented in collaboration with partners who share Bellafricana’s commitment to championing African creative businesses and expanding global opportunities for the continent’s entrepreneurs.
Event Details
Event: TALES 2026 – The African Lifestyle Experience by Bellafricana
Theme: The Secret Story
Venue: TALES House London, 28 Cavendish Square, off Oxford Street, London W1G 0DB
Dates: July 24 to August 23, 2026
Admission: Free (Registration Required)
Register: tales.bellafricana.co.uk
About Bellafricana
Bellafricana is a trusted platform that connects African creative entrepreneurs with global audiences through visibility, access to opportunities, and community. Its flagship initiative, TALES (The African Lifestyle Experience), is an annual celebration of African creativity that brings together fashion, beauty, art, food, and lifestyle through curated experiences and authentic storytelling. Through TALES, Bellafricana creates opportunities for creative entrepreneurs to reach wider audiences and access new markets.
To know more about Bellafricana, check them out on social media:
Instagram: @bell_africana | @bellafricanauk
TikTok: @bellafricanauk | @bellafricana
Facebook: Bellafricana | LinkedIn: Bellafricana
