Okunoren Prize to Boost Innovation
The Taiwo O. Okunoren Prize is a N5 million reward for innovation in fashion & design. It was established by the Creative Director of one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous clothing brands, Okunoren Twins Ltd. It is a first of its kind.
Okunoren has decided to launch the prize, which will be available to established and upcoming designers who can demonstrate outstanding innovation in their designs. It is being positioned to support Nigerian designers, tailors, shoemakers, beaders and other creative entrepreneurs within the fashion industry.
In addition to the N5 million prize money, the winners will also have access to high-level mentoring support. Other shortlisted nominees who are able to make it to the final stage will also be awarded with varying forms of cash prizes and business support.
Director of the Programme, Mr. Tomiwa Idowu made this known to press at a briefing in Lagos over the weekend.
He stated that, “the Nigerian fashion industry has grown in leaps and bounds over the last decade in terms of numbers but has come to a grinding halt in terms of innovation and creativity. The Prize is a way to jolt the entire industry and also support small and medium scale entrepreneurs.”
Judging process for the Okunoren Prize will be unusually rigorous with over 500 entries received within the first week of announcement. An 8-member panel comprising of critics, designers, media professionals, business icons and scholars will screen all entries based on merit after which 15 shortlisted finalists will be named.
The Okunoren Prize is an annual reward for innovation in fashion and design. Taiwo Omobolanle Okunoren, a designer and co-founder of Okunoren Twins, a leading clothing company in Nigeria, is the one behind the award. The winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize, in addition to high-level mentoring and business support.
The Prize will be available to tailors, fashion designers, shoe designers, accessories designers and other creative entrepreneurs within the fashion industry. Every entry submitted is forwarded to the jury for screening after which 15 finalists will be shortlisted. Members of the jury will comprise of scholars, critics, designers, business icons and media professionals.
Director of the Prize, Idowu said, “The prize is a way for the founder to use his influence and experience in fashion as a tool for social development. Mr. Okunoren is an icon in the African design space that has demonstrated that fashion can actually become a profitable enterprise with meaningful contributions to the Nigerian economy.”