In search of Africa’s next superstar designer

For young fashion designers across Africa, this is indeed an exciting time, as Design Fashion Africa (DFA) has launched its search for the next superstar designer from the continent. The platform, which seeks to discover, inspire and empower existing and upcoming designers to commercialise their talents, is set to kick off its maiden edition this month.
 
The unveiling ceremony held recently, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together celebrities and stakeholders in the creative industry, including Idia Aisien, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Mai Atafo. The organisers outlined goal the initiative hopes to achieve and the journey each designer is expected to undergo in their bid to become the next big thing in our budding fashion scene.
 
These stages include an online fashion challenge, a fashion training academy and a runway fashion show where finalists will be exhibiting their work to the public. There are also plans for a marketplace where fashion lovers can pick up accessories and outfits that they fall in love with.

Speaking at the announcement, Idia Aisien, who is the spokesperson for the project, expressed delight in the reception the program has already received judging from the number of key industry players in attendance at the announcement cocktail and she believes the awareness would only get better. “we want the message to go as far as possible, and reach everyone interested in fashion so we can expose the very best designers to the rest of the world.”

Speaking at the event, renowned fashion designer and Fashion Resource on the project, Ohimai Atafo said, “I’m so excited to be a part of this initiative as it is on the right path to changing the future of fashion design in Africa. We want to, with DFA, discover, inspire and empower young budding talents in fashion and also give them a platform to showcase and sell their wares. Opportunities like this don’t come every day in the fashion industry and I’m happy I get to work with the guys at Jakaranda and Oracle to pull this off.”
 
Applications for the online fashion challenge are expected to begin fully in the coming days and run until the end of the month, after which finalists for the fashion academy will be announced.