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It was all glamour and razzmatazz at the maiden edition of Fashions Finest Africa held recently at Balmora Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.
The event had kicked off with a master class on Wednesday, May 23 and continued on Thursday, May 24 at NEPC Training Center, Apapa, Lagos. Themed: ‘How to Transform from Boutique to Mass Production’, the Fashions Finest Africa’s master classes were held in collaboration with Eagle 8 Consulting and anchored by Mabel Doe, fashion consultant/fashion technologist and Jennifer Sutton, development director, Fashion Enter/Capital UK. It was graced by lots of fashionistas and fashion entrepreneurs.
The epic fashion show started on Friday, May 25 with a conference themed: ‘Increasing Nigeria’s Participation in the Global Garment Industry’. The in-depth and educating conference, which dwelt on the garment industry and production process, was headlined by Jennifer Sutton, who explained thoroughly the process of garment making, while Mabel Doe gave explanations on garment production and factory process.
There was also a panel session featuring Nigerian fashion industry experts who spoke about their experiences and challenges. Moderated by Lucky Idike Jr. and Jennifer Sutton, the session had panellists like Mabel Doe, Chris Oputa, CEO, Studio 24; Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, FADAN president; Morin Obawaya, CEO, Morin. O; Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder, Ruff ‘n’ Tumble, and Ohimai Atafo, CEO, Mai Atafo. There were equally ground breaking speeches by Mallam Ismaila Zakari, ICAN president; Veronica Orierie, representative of Segun Awolowo, CEO, NEPC; and Dr. Waheed Olagunju, ED, (SME) Bank of Industry.
The pre-event activities of Fashions Finest Africa 2018 came to an end later in the evening with an awards ceremony. According to one of the organisers, Yetty Ogunnubi, the awards gala was aimed at celebrating those who have made their marks in the fashion industry across Africa.
“We are honouring fashion icons, those who have made their marks in the fashion industry not only in Nigeria but also across the African continent,” Ogunnubi explained.
The winners were Lisa Folawiyo, Rich Mnisi, Mai Atafo, Emmy Kasbit, Artiste by Dodos, Style Infidel, GTBank Fashion Weekend, Omoyemi Akerele, Pichulik, and Tubo. Others include Papa Oppong, Buqisi-Ruux, Femi Handbags, Reze Bonna, Toke Makinwa, Schick magazine, Adire Lounge, Tosan Dudun, Ayomide Ayodele, Payporte, Kefi Boo, and Deola Sagoe.
