Nike Art Gallery lit up last weekend as W-Art & Design hosted 3 separate fashion events geared towards the growth of the African fashion industry.
All weekend long, there was an art exhibition which had in attendance dozens of fashion enthusiasts, designers, public figures, and the media. Members of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) were also on hand as their members displayed some interesting artefacts. Saturday was dedicated to a seminar on the global fashion retail business and it was declared open by Her Excellency, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, the First Lady of Ogun State.
Although the seminar was to have been facilitated by Mercedes Gonzalez and Prof. Uche Ofodile, the famed Hurricane Sandy prevented the former from attending. Nevertheless, Professor Ofodile got the participants asking for more as she enlightened them on the crucial matters of intellectual property and the global copyright laws as they apply to the fashion industry.
The competitive mini fashion show which took place on Sunday was hosted by the delectable Ms. Misimolu. The aim was to find emerging designers who would win a spot on the runway of the MFW African Segment, 2013.
Dozens of designers applied but only seven were short listed to compete for the coveted prize by displaying their designs and fashion acumen. Judges on the day were Mrs Wumi Oluwadare, President of W-Art & Design, Princess Abba Folawiyo, and Mrs. Gladys Ofuezo, CEO Peacock Creations.
The contestants first sent out on the runway three of their collections while the judges quizzed them on their inspiration for the designs. After the first round, three of the seven contestants were eliminated, leaving Telvino Kouture, Finicky Stitches, Tap Designs and L&P Clothing. These four then displayed two of their signature pieces and the judges tested their knowledge on fashion trends and the fashion industry.
At the end of the day, Tap Designs and Finicky Stitches emerged winners and will now showcase their designs on the runway of the Miami Fashion Week next year alongside the established African designers.
W-Art & Design Limited is the official representative of the Miami Fashion Week in Africa, which has now opened its runway to African fashion designers for the very first time in their fifteen year history. The Miami Fashion Week is the fifth largest event in the global fashion calendar.