AFWN: Models showcase eligibility

The Nike Art Gallery was filled to capacity last Sunday with male and female models who showcased their eligibility to feature for the African Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) billed for September 7th to 9th.

It was not only the beautiful models of all shapes and sizes that graced the model casting exercise but also prominent stakeholders in the Nigerian fashion industry.

The casting exercise, according to the founder of AFWN Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, is one of the prerequisites for choosing models for the much-anticipated fashion show.

“The ideology behind casting models every year is to enable us to give fresh faces to showcase themselves on the platform. These young models use African Fashion Week as a springboard to leap into the fashion industry. As a matter of fact, the African Fashion Week was created for emerging talents such as models, designers, stylists and make-up artistes who want to soar high in the industry. For the model casting, the idea is to get the best of the best for the AFWN runway,” she said.

On the selection criteria, Ademiluyi said: “First, the height, the ability to walk and confidence. As a model, you must be confident. You can’t look timid on the runway. You must have that bold look.”

She revealed that the oncoming 2022 AFWN would be different from others as there are two other powerhouses partnering the event to make the show a success. “They are the Lagos Fashion Fair and The Toyin Lawani Master Classes.”

In her remarks, Toyin Lawani said: “The AFW Nigeria and London is not new to me as I have always been part of the event either working backstage or on the runway. But this year, I am partnering with the AFWN with my  ‘Toyin Lawani Master Class’. The Lagos Fashion Fair will be handling the exhibition while I will be in charge of the Master Class for every section and detail of the event.”