African fashion expo begins in Lagos

The fifth edition of the African Fashion and Design Week (AFDW) 2016, with the theme, “Be Inspired,” takes place from today to Sunday October 9, 2016 at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

AFDW 2016 which will is a total fashion package that will include a two-day Runway Show and a Fashion of Business Seminar, is sponsored by Heritage Bank Plc In line with its strategic plan of identifying and supporting Micro, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs),

The runway, according to a statement from the bank, shows will feature eclectic collections from established and emerging African designers such as Weiz Dhurum Franklyn (Nigeria), Sunny Rose (Nigeria), Nallem Clothing (Ghana), Gavin Rajah (South Africa), Kahindo (Congo/USA), Mustafa Hassanali (Tanzania) and many more.

The Divisional Head, Corporate Communications of the bank, Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe, said in a statement that the seminar is designed to provide a platform for young aspiring fashion designers and allied interests like hair and make-up artists, stylists and wardrobe managers, casting managers fashion photographers, set designers, backstage managers, entertainment managers among others to learn the basic foundation of building a fashion brand and make a fulfilling career out of it.

The seminar will feature such emerging and celebrated fashion names in Africa such as designers Jamil Walji from Kenya Africaine Nana from Ghana , make-up artist Marco of New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week

She stated that “fashion being part of our African heritage, it is only reasonable that we support platforms that will further our philosophy of helping young people and small enterprises to create, preserve and transfer wealth in order to engender a viable and sustainable economy.”

Longe-Okenimkpe, however, further stated that new and emerging fashion designers would also get the opportunity to learn and review the important elements of supply chain management and production at The Business for Fashion Seminar, which would be anchored by the bank.

AFDW yearly attracts fashion enthusiasts, buyers, stylists, editors and everyone in the business of fashion to get a sneak peek of the looks that will define the continent’s next fashion trends including the prestigious annual African Icon of Hope Awards which recognises top designers from the continent.