•Stages rare mix of fashion, music
For Bukola Smart, a 17-year-old Nigerian student at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, a viable project is a product of good thinking, strategic planning and mutual buy-in, irrespective of the age of the initiator.
Cashing in on the flourishing Nigerian entertainment industry, the student of Accounting & Finance is following her passion, through an artistic blend of fashion and music showcase tagged Fashion and Music Entertainment (FAME) Awards.
The crux of the project, according to Smart, during a Skype media parley, “is discovering, nurturing and harnessing new talents in these two spheres of entertainment, thereby showcasing the abundant talents and human resources in the country and more importantly to keep the industry growing.”
Not only are her parents bowed by her creative ingenuity, her father’s place of work, Sovereign Trust Insurance, has bought into the project on merit. As a platinum sponsor of the FAME, the company, according to Segun Bankole, AGM Corporate Communications and Branding, seeks a platform for the ever-willing financial institution to prove that they are supportive of creative ideas.
“We are a part of this event because it is in tandem with our corporate values of innovation, integrity, professionalism and team spirit. Bukkie Smart represents an innovative youth and we are proud to be associated with her,” Bankole said.
According to Smart, FAME competition serves as a platform of career opportunities and reality of dreams, which will open to applicants who desire a chance in music or fashion or both from July 14.
Smart said all submitted applications will be thoroughly scrutinised and successful applicants will be shortlisted for training / audition which will be the utmost pre-condition for qualification into the finals of the event scheduled to take place on December 17, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
“There will be two outings per contestant per category,” Smart said, adding that, “for the fashion category, contestants will come out in day time costume and evening costume. For the music category, contestants will sing one acapella, with the other genre of choice being the entry song to show versatility. Duration of outing per contestant per category will be well regulated by event compeer or as pre-stipulated.”
She said the instructors/producers would select the best five in each of the categories to be showcased at the grand finale from where a winner will emerge and take the star prize of N1 million.
Unlike some winner-takes-all reality shows, Smart said all other participants in FAME would receive consolation gifts.
Speaking on what differentiates FAME from other reality shows, Smart said: “Fashion and music are always a great blend, as we have seen in many different concerts, but the difference FAME brings is its exclusivity, style and class to the elite of the fashion and music industry through an entertaining show. It gives the participants not only chances to show what they do best, but gives them the opportunity to be scouted or recruited to kick-off a bright career. Therefore, FAME serves as a platform of career opportunities and brings about the reality of dreams.”
Borne out of a childhood passion, Bukkie, as she is fondly called, revealed that fashion designing was her first love. “Dressing up was always a favorite thing to do growing up and what better way to “feel yourself” than to have your own private runway show with music!” she said.
This hidden dream was stored away but never forgotten, as she became more connected with her “business” side. But after a few months into her first year, she decided to re-ignite the fire of her dreams into the fashion world.
Not stopping there, she hopes to someday become a fashion stylist/consultant and start her line of clothing taking inspiration from style crushes “Blair Waldorf” from the hit series “Gossip girl” and “Olivia Pope” from another hit series, “Scandal”.
