VOGUE ITALIA
There are no other words to describe the outcome of the first world class African fashion week which gave an echo from April 19th to April 22nd in Lagos – catalysing the whole industry in one of the biggest cities of the continent.
Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue Edward Eninful, Executive Fashion News Editor Vogue UK Olivia Singer and renowned personalities such as Andre Leon Tally, all flew to the event to be sitting in the first row and to give content and acknowledgment to this massive event. Being the voice
and global ambassador, the legendary Naomi Campbell, who together with international guest Liya Kebede made sure to open and close major catwalks to show support and belief into this upcoming market.
“You need to build infrastructure” - says visionary and business leader Nduka Obaigbena, founder and Owner of ARISE Fashion Week and Nigerian THISDAY Newspaper Group - “Nigeria needs to build infrastructure, consistency and to encourage policy. Fashion is the life of a woman and it plays a fundamental role in every person, who can express creativity through fashion and beauty”. Arise showed the world to be the most powerful platform to host such a raising “Africa calling”. Arise media TV, Arise media newspaper, Arise conference talks and the three-day fashion week event hosted a panorama of worldwide and African voices, which are ready to stand internationally.
With more than 35 designers, African and from all over the world, showcasing within shows and presentations, the program was a full high talent lookout.
From the asymmetrical and oversized collection of Swedish Eritrean Selam Fessahaye to the British Nigerian renowned Tokyo James, South African Rich Mnisi, all the way to Nigerian so loved haute couture brand Deola Sagoe, then Tiffany Amber, 3Paradis, Ituen Basi, Mai Atafo, U-MI-1, just to name a few. International designers such as Columbian-American Esteban Cortazar, Haitian-American Kerby JeanRaymond designer and founder of the menswear label Pyer Moss, London label ASAI, Bethany Williams and Tripple RRR by Robert Cavalli also made the difference.
In the spotlight, Lagos-born and LVMH prize finalist Kenneth Ize was eagerly waited for during the shows “Kenneth show was a pure marriage of Africa meets the west... a modern day interpretation of the classic view of the African language of textiles, texture and style. Simple feminine silhouettes reminiscent of Ize’s mother’s lace party frocks from the late 60’s/ early 70’s in Lagos - a very laid back style era in Nigeria, when people adopted a more casual interpretation to the “aso Oke”- Hand- loomed cloth from the up country. Kenneth collection is for everyone and is an example of African inspired design that is unique, modern and wearable to everyone and every place. Kenneth Ize is definitely one to watch!” says Desiree Ejoh, Creative Director of Arise Fashion Week.
Maison ARTC artistic and sculptural mood put a real eye on Africa with its collection Artfrika - showing the world how much fashion in the continent is still so much intertwined with arts and creativity. “I fell in love with his very deep sense of creativity and each outfit was like an architectural piece. There was always a message that didn’t have to be explained but you could just read it through his designs” says Ruth Osime,
Executive Style Editor of THISDAY STYLE / THISDAY Newspaper.
The modelling world also showed its presence with the attendance of male model of the moment Alton Mason and South Sudanese Shanelle Nyasiase alongside with one of the most interesting up-coming new faces, Somali Ugbad Abdi. International models and agencies made their first “booking” into Africa, confirming the beginning of a new fashion capital. ARISE 19 represents an historical moment showing that migration in the fashion industry is on the move, opening a new chapter, which will happen in the African continent.
“We want to add Lagos to the fashion week calendar making it a world class show, straight after Paris, and we believe we are creating the foundation to do so.” concluded Nduka Obaigbena.
After Paris, 2020, we are all ready for Lagos.