The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Africa Fashion week

  • Africa Fashion Week Nigeria gears up for 5th anniversary

    Having successfully built a platform for emerging and renowned fashion designers in Africa to showcase exquisite and creative pieces depicting our African heritage and culture through fashion, Africa Fashion Week is set to celebrate the fifth Nigeria edition of the show in style.

    This year’s theme, ‘African Heritage Arise’, according to the organisers, intends to show reflective contemporary and versatile African pieces that tell a story of our heritage and the pride that comes with being an African.

    Speaking on the show, its founder, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi said that the beauty of our textiles have changed beyond the conventional era of simplicity in fashion to paving the way for more creative, colourful and modernistic styles that appeal not just to the older more traditional people but young people all over the world.

    “AFWN’s objective has remained to create an enabling platform across the globe where creative African designers and fashion entrepreneurs can showcase the beauty and creativity of Africa through their designs and costumes, this year’s fashion week will also look to celebrate young African entrepreneurs who have mastered the art of fashion by using it to make bold statements and create more versatility in their designs and brands,” she said.

    She also added that this year’s edition will feature talented and creative designers from various African countries ready to showcase their exquisite pieces on the runway.

    AFWN 2018, she said, will also open its doors to models from all over Africa.

    Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, born into the royal family in Ife, Osun State, is a lawyer and founder of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria & Africa Fashion Week London. In 2011, she started one of the first African fashion shows in London – AFWL to promote the African fashion which at the time was growing rapidly. She expanded Africa Fashion Week to Nigeria in 2014 when she began African Fashion Week Nigeria.

  • QMA PAGEANT TAKES SHOWCASE TO LONDON

    QUEEN Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) beauty pageant made an audacious appearance recently at the Africa Fashion Week as fashionistas and global audience in London were wowed with a sleek preview its first collection of designs.

    The collections were made by Larry Kay Ojomo of Mon’Ami Clothing, the headline designer for the beauty pageant, which is scheduled to hold in November.

    According to the designer, the collections were influenced by the rich history of the people of Ife, the personality and exploits of Queen Moremi.

    The designs, Ojomo explained further, portray womanhood, power, and royalty with a little bit of modern feel, emphasising infusion of the old and new era as well as the use of colours to portray Africa prints.

    Speaking on this development, the Heritage Ambassador, Legacy of Moremi, Princess Aderonke Ademiluyi, who is the founder of Africa Fashion Week and the brains behind the beauty pageant project, revealed that the veteran designer has in his designs underlined the reason for his choice as one of the designers for the historical beauty pageant.

    The beauty pageant, which is in its second year, is opened to young Nigerian ladies between the ages of 18 and 25 from across the country, with a minimum of school certificate and of five feet and five inches tall.

    Auditions for the coveted crown are slated for Ife, Lagos and Ibadan while the grand finale holds in Lagos.

    The Ooni of Ife has already committed N5 million towards the purchase of a thousand application forms for contestants while corporate bodies and various institutions across the country are lining up support and sponsorship of the event.

  • Africa Fashion Week London to feature over 100 African designers, exhibitors

    Africa Fashion Week London to feature over 100 African designers, exhibitors

    Over 100 African fashion designers and exhibitors will feature at the 7th edition of Africa Fashion Week between Aug.11, 2017 and Aug.12, 2017 at the Grand hall of the Freemasons in London.

    Ronke Ademiluyi, founder, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria/London (AFWNL), disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    She said that the event would be an exhibition of the African fashion whose creations had become unique designs and brands.

    She said that the designers and exhibitors would be coming from Ghana, Togo, Kenya, South Africa, Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique, Senegal, Uganda, and Cameroon.

    “Some Nigerian designers that will, also, be participating include Signature Secret, Neopele, Lady Biba, Step Up, Sheila Black Style, House of Bo and Joela Bags.

    “The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), will lead a delegation of Nigeria’s best emerging designers that will also be accompanied by the Council’s  catwalk show,’’ she said.

    Ademiluyi also told NAN that no fewer than 10,000 guests were expected to grace the two-day show at the Freemasons Hall in London to be entertained by 60 catwalk shows with daily exhibitions.

    “This year’s show will hold in two days; with five shows, that will have 60 designers on the catwalk, along 40 exhibitors,’’ she said

    Ademiluyi said that the African show would be part of activities to promote African fashion before the international community.

    “Africa Fashion Week London, a sister event to the just concluded Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, is a celebration of African designs, talents and diverse ethnic fashions in the United Kingdom (UK).

    “It is going to be a celebration of African designs, talents and the diverse ethnic influences that contribute to the development of fashion industry in the UK.

    “Samson Soboye, an established London-based fashion stylist and a creative director behind the brand `Afro chic’ who has worked as a freelance stylist for publications will be our head stylist for AFWL 2017 ,” she said.

    She said that since the debut of the programme in 2011, it had been identifying and promoting new and emerging designers inspired by the rich culture of Africa and contemporary designs.

    The princess said that AFWL had become Europe’s largest event for African and African inspired fashion.

    Ademiluyi said that the show was conceived at promoting new and emerging designers that were inspired by the rich African culture incorporated into contemporary designs.

    She said that AFWL had become the platform through which designers boost their creativity in African fashion at international markets, as well as the nation’s tourism industry.

    Ademiluyi, founder of Africa Fashion Week London/Nigeria, said that Africans should appreciate what they had and make efforts to promote them to the rest of the world.

    NAN reports that the 2017 Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria organised in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, in April and June, showcased the nation’s iconic pride with the theme: “ Celebrating the vibrant Pulse of Africa’’.

  • Olu Jacobs lauds Africa Fashion Week 2017

    VETERAN actor Olu Jacobs has given the organisers of the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria a thumbs up for creating a befitting platform showcasing the work of African designers and the vast tourism potential of the nation to the rest of the world.

    Jacobs took time off his busy schedule at a movie location, to be part of AFWN 2017 pre-event photo shoot at the Tinubu Square, Lagos.

    Ronke Ademiluyi, founder of AFWN said; “We are putting everything in place towards an exceptional fashion experience. Every year, our key focus is the sustainable growth of the fashion industry. From the exhibition, collections, the runway and everyone involved, we always ensure a grand package. ”

    The annual Africa Fashion Week Nigeria provides a vibrant platform for fashion buyers, exhibitors, fashion designers, models, photographers, celebrities and fashion writers. Industry observers describe it as the biggest meeting point for those who know and love fashion and style.

    Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2017 will take place between June 3 and 4 at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

    According to Ademiluyi, “The venue is symbolic. It is part of our rich cultural heritage, something the style world would be glad to see”

  • Nigerian Fashion set the pace in Africa – Ademiluyi

    Nigerian Fashion set the pace in Africa – Ademiluyi

    Ronke Ademiluyi, Founder of the Africa Fashion Week on Tuesday said that Nigerian fashion industry is a pacesetter in the African fashion community.

    Ademiluyi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos that Nigerians designs were creative and laced with cultural finesse.

    NAN reports that Ademiluyi is a UK based Nigerian fashion expert and entrepreneur.

    According to Ademiluyi, “The fashion industry in Nigeria set the trend and everybody else follows. We are very bold; we are very vibrant our designers are very creative.

    “When we started Africa Fashion Week, the majority of our designers came from Nigeria.

    “Initially when we started, we started with 50 designers about 40 of them came from Nigeria.

    “The reason why we were able to accommodate them was because their designs were out of this world, very innovative, very creative.

    “The following year other designers from other countries copying what we have done. So, I think we set the trend when it comes to Africa fashion.

    “We try to impact the knowledge that we have gained from hosting fashion weeks over the years unto the designers.”

    In the same vein, Aiki Odiawa, Managing Director of a fashion brand, said that many African and Nigerian designers have benefitted immensely from the African Fashion Week.

    Odiawa said, “The designers have gained a lot. We have showcased over 800 up and coming African and Nigerian designers.

    “Without our platform, a lot of them would not have the awareness, the recognition they have now.

    “When we started in 2011 there wasn’t a platform that promoted African or Nigerian brands.

    “We are the pioneers of the African Fashion Industry. The African Fashion industry, according to the Euro Monitor is worth $31 Billion now.

    “A lot of big brands are now doing a flagship collection of African furniture and we’ve hired a lot of African designers to work with them so, it’s a new revolution of African fashion.”

    NAN reports that Africa Fashion Week Nigeria made its debut in 2014 with the aim of providing a platform to help promote Nigeria Brands through worldwide visibility.

     

  • Yemi Alade bags Africa Fashion week brand ambassador deal

    Yemi Alade bags Africa Fashion week brand ambassador deal

    Immensely talented award winning singer, Yemi Alade recently added another feather to her cap. The stylish and trendy Johnny crooner recently signed up as the 2016 face of Africa Fashion week Nigeria and London. The event proper will run from July 1-3 July 2016.

    With her signature punk up do, stylish and creative dress sense, not to mention her beautiful face and figure, she will be the poster figure for the brand this year.

    In a statement by the organizers of the 2016 Africa fashion week, Lagos and London, the team expressed their pride and joy at having the stylish diva represent their brand, and paid homage to her immense talent, and drive for success.

    “We are indeed proud to unveil songstress, fashion diva, and multiple award-winning singer, Yemi Alade as the face of the 2016 African fashion week in Nigeria and London. A beautiful young lady with so much talent and drive for success,” they said.

    At the unveiling ceremony were Yemi, the founder- Ronke Ademiluyi, Sola Oyebade, Mr Biola and Yetty Ogunnubi. Looking her ever stylish self, the diva had on white pants atop a white and blue chiffon top with her hair in her signature punk up do, this time in frilly curls.

  • Oreka Godis named Africa fashion week ambassador

    Oreka Godis named Africa fashion week ambassador

    Oreka Godis, Nigerian OAP and actress,  has been named the brand ambassador of one of the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria 2015.

    ‘AFWN is extremely excited to have Oreka on board this year. We see her as someone who embodies our ethos and encourages consumer support across the African fashion industry. ‘She was recently featured in New African Woman magazine as one of the Nigerian Media Mogulettes to watch out for and we look forward to seeing her empower, promote and help AFWN discover this year’s budding talent.’ said Yetty Ogunnubi PR and Marketing Manager for the brand

    An initiative of Ronke Ademiluyi, the AFWN had a great outing in 2014 where African designers showcased their pieces to an impressed audience. Oreka Godis, a descendant of the Otaro and Ekarabome Royal Dynasty of Ogori, Kogi State, Nigeria, is also a content developer, creative writer, presenter and producer on radio and television.