5 MINUTES WITH AYOMIDE AMOSUN
Ayomide Amosun- Dabiri is the Founder of Call Her Classic Fashion Agency, the company behind Lagos Bridal Fashion Week which has been running from the 4th of May, with the last day of shows today. Lagos Bridal Fashion Week is responding to the growing demand and patronage for indigenous brands with regards to bridal fashion. It is a platform that aims to promote Africa’s finest brands as well as facilitate an environment for commerce. After working as a management consultant, she decided to pursue her passion to help grow and develop the Nigerian Fashion Industry. FUNKE BABS-KUFEJI Speaks to her about the first ever bridal Fashion week in Lagos. Why did you decide to organize a bridal fashion week, what were the factors that informed your decisions?
Lagos Bridal Fashion Week was established to create a platform for bridal fashion designers to promote their works to local and international audiences, in Lagos Nigeria on a regular basis. What do you hope to achieve with it?
The hope is that an increased global awareness of what the Nigerian bridal fashion industry has to offer will lead to increased opportunities for designers and other stakeholders within the industry. We hope to attract tourists seeking the very best of wedding fashion from across Africa. We also hope to attract increased investment in the Nigerian fashion industry which has huge revenue generating potential. Before this, have you ever worked in fashion?
I run a fashion agency called Call Her Classic. We represent fashion brands, organize fashion events and offer styling services. Lagos Bridal Fashion Week is one of our projects. Prior to establishing Call Her Classic, I worked at McKinsey & Co as a management consultant. With so many fashion platforms in Lagos and Africa as a whole what sets you apart from all
other fashion shows/weeks?
Despite the fact that there are reputable fashion shows in Nigeria, there are currently no platforms solely dedicated to bridal fashion. That’s the gap we hope to fill. Lagos Bridal Fashion Week provides the opportunity for brides and grooms to see the latest wedding dress and suit collections on a regular basis and have consultations with the very best designers. What should we expect and look forward to see at the fashion week, who are the designer showcasing?
Runway shows, Masterclasses with leading industry experts, Consultations with your favourite wedding dress and suit designers, Bridal fashion and accessories stores. Designers and participating brands include: Alonuko, Andrea Iyamah, April By Kunbi, Bibi Lawrence, Brides by Nona, CLAN, David Tlale, Deola Sagoe, Elizabeth and Lace, Elvira Jude, Ese Azenabor, Hudayya, Imad Eduso, Kimono Kollection, Love Tims, Mai Atafo, Magnetic Elegance, Otumemine, Patrick Ayanski, Perfect Occasion Bridals, Shadiat Alasooke, Toju Foyeh, Valerie Davids, Virgos Lounge, Yemi Kosibah, Yemi Shoyemi, Yinka Alli and many more! What were the criteria used to select those showcasing? We selected Pan-African designers based on the quality of the previous collections they have put together. It’s very important to us that the brands we promote on the platform are delivering exquisite garments and service to consumers, so that was a huge factor for us during the selection process. Tell us a little more about the LBFW Boutique? The boutique will feature bridal fashion and accessories stores from designers such as: Bridals by Ivy, Donna Tyler, Clan, Buwie Fabrics, Honey&Cherish, Love Tims, Patrick Ayanski and many more! For those who will like to attend the runway shows, how can they get tickets or passes to attend? Tickets are available on our website www.lagosbridalfw. com or via Nairabox. They will also be available to buy at the door.