African attires designed by talented African designers were the cynosure of all eyes on Saturday, 1st April, 2017, at the National Theatre, Iganmu-Lagos, as Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, in collaboration with Lagos Stage Government, organized the first-ever “Iconic Catwalk Shows” in the history of Fashion Week in Nigeria.

The Iconic Catwalk Show was truly iconic because it was held against the beautiful background of the National Arts Theatre, which is one of the national monuments in Nigeria; and it attracted many African designers from Cameroun, Zimbabwe and Nigeria. 

 fash1The Founder of the Africa Fashion Week London and Nigeria,  Princess Ronke Ademiluyi,  in a statement to the press, expressed optimism that holding fashion shows in a place like the National Theatre will infuse a new spirit to the fashion business against the splendour of cultural heritage sites, noting that clothing and accessories were inseparable from culture and this can be expressed through iconic locations like the National Theatre and Tinubu Square.

The show, she continued, offered a uniqueplatform for the media to interact with the designers and the State to share its vision for the fashion and tourism industry, adding that, the objective of African Fashion Week, based in London and Nigeria, is 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.

“Africa Fashion Week is strongly committed to promoting and positioning African designers within the global fashion space, especially up and coming designers. We aim to build appreciation for Africa and increase Africa fashion footprints across the globe”, she said.

The crème de la crème of society, including Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, the acting Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, the Acting General Manager of National Theatre, Mr. George Ufot, and the Oba of Elegushi, His Royal Majesty,  Oba  Saheed Ademola  Elegushi, represented by Chief Alawe.

The designers that participated in the show included young designers like Blinshiki, Amarelis, Nonnie Coutre, Tikodeen, Valery Royal, Nyaradadzai, Telvin Nwafor and the famous Zizi Gardow.

Anthony Okafor and Uju Ukwu                                                                                             Corporate Affairs Unit                                                                                                 NICO Training School

Lagos