Africa Choice Awards 2026: Two Mauritians Nominated

The island of Mauritius will be represented by two individuals at the upcoming Africa Choice Awards, scheduled for 2026 in South Africa.

Gabriel Froid, the creator of The African Marquis brand, and Melodie Thiboudois, founder of Frangi Coiffure, are among the nominees in the categories of Fashion Stylist of the Year and Hairstylist of the Year.

The Africa Choice Awards celebrate excellence, creativity, and influence of African talents across various fields each year, including fashion, music, media, and the arts.

For Mauritian designer Gabriel Froid, this nomination brings "great emotion and immense pride." He shares, "This recognition symbolizes the work, passion, and creativity I have poured into The African Marquis over the years. Being nominated alongside stylists who have dressed icons like Beyoncé or Bonang Matheba, or who collaborate with magazines like Vogue or GQ South Africa, is simply exceptional."

Hailing from Cité Argy in Flacq, Gabriel emphasizes that this nomination is "a symbol of hope and encouragement" for the Mauritian youth: "No matter where you come from, with perseverance and hard work, anything is possible. I am proud to represent Mauritius authentically and with refinement."

He also calls on Mauritian institutions, including the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) and the Ministry of Youth, to provide more support to young talents who elevate the country's profile on international platforms.

On her part, Melodie Thiboudois, founder of Frangi Coiffure, expresses her honor and gratitude: "I established Frangi Coiffure eight years ago with the hope of seeing African hairstyling evolve and gain recognition in Mauritius. Today, being nominated at this level is an immense pride. It’s not just a personal victory, but also for the entire community that values Afro beauty and culture."

Previously nominated in 2022 at the Zikomo Africa Awards, Mélodie believes this new recognition marks a significant milestone in her journey: "This nomination gives an international dimension to the name Frangi Coiffure. It’s our time to shine and showcase our expertise on an even higher level."

To support the two Mauritian representatives, you can vote via the following link:

https://elfrique.com/vote/title/africa-choice-award-2025