The first ever Lagos Leather fair pioneered by Femi Olayebi of Femihandbags was held last weekend at Federal Palace Hotel.
The 3 day event provided a networking platform for all along the leather value chain.
See highlights of the fair below:
Day 1
An exclusive cocktail party; Femi Olayebi gave her opening remark revealing her drive and purpose behind organizing the fair as well as appreciating all that had made the fair a possibility. The event brought together stakeholders such as designers, tanners, artisans, manufacturers and policy makers who were all looking forward to the events of the next two days.
Day 2
The fair was officially declared open by Femi Olayebi, Waheed Olagunju (Executive Director of Bank of Industry), Segun Awolowo (CEO of Nigeria Export Promotion Council), Dr Isyaku Umar Tofa (Representative of the Emir of Kano) and Akodu Olalekan (Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Co-operatives).
Guests had the opportunity to shop their favorite leather products from the various exhibitors. Interactive masterclasses were also scheduled to discuss different aspects involved in developing the leather industry. Among the many masterclasses and workshops were the;
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: driving profitability through creativity by Muni Shonibare (CEO of IO furniture) and Reni Folawiyo (Founder of Alara).
Creating Leather Masterpieces: the tools and tricks by Obiora Odinma Ononye (Obi Leather)
A panel discussion themed Changing the narrative within the Nigerian Leather Industry, was held to identify the problems and highlight possible solutions to move the Nigerian leather industry forward. Panelists included; Peter Bamkole (Director of Enterprise development Centre), Dr Adeyinka Abimbola (Consultant at Market development Program), Mr Adewale Bakare (Representative of the Minister of State for the federal Ministry of Industry) and Alhaji Balarabe Hassan (Bank of Industry).
Day 3
Exhibitions, masterclasses, a workshop and a finale runway show which officially closed the Lagos Leather Fair. Masterclasses included;
A conversation with the Lady Cobblers: Overcoming the challenges by Tosin dekalu (CEO Lady Cobbler) and Tokunbo Onagoruwa (CEO City Cobbler) hosted by Adeola Azeez (Founding member, WIMBIZ)
Repositioning your brand for the Global Market by Nelly Wandji (Founder of Moonlook Paris) hosted by Isioma Onochie- Aihie (CEO of Grey Velvet stores)
Understanding your Consumer; The Art of Selling your Brand by Bukky Karibi-Whyte (CEO of the Bobby Taylor Company), Bayo Rotimi (CEO of Quest Advisory Services) and Uche Nnaji (CEO of OUCH).
The workshop by Robert Gussoni (Development consultant at the ModaPelle Academy) was very practical and hands on as he taught guests a lesson in handbag design and construction.
The finale runway show themed, ‘The leather Collective’, presented leather masterpieces from 3 different designers; Jane Michael, Samuel Noon, Wanger Ayu and a surprise show from Femi Handbags.
The Lagos Leather Fair upheld the Made in Nigeria initiative by providing a platform for business linkages and collaborations that will ultimately change the narrative within the Nigerian leather industry.
The fair was proudly supported by Lagos State, Bank of Industry, The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Diamond Bank and Access Bank.
Media partners for The Lagos Leather Fair included; BellaNaija, YNaija, Kamdora, PulseNG, Olori Supergal, Nothing to do in Lagos, Lost in Lagos, Business Day, The Guardian newspaper, BeatFM and CoolFM.