Any plan by government to grow her local industries especially fashion start-ups to contribute to national development can only succeed with the right investment in indigenous enterprises. Industry operators have advised.
They observe that with the right policy put in place by government to support local businesses, Nigeria garment/ fashion industry has the revenue-generating potential to grow the economy and stem the tide of foreign exchange spent by patronising foreign designers.
Ayomide Amosu Dabiri, a team lead from Call Her Classic organisers of the maiden Bridal Fashion Week event while speaking at a press conference in Lagos said the three days event commencing on Friday, May 4, 2018, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island is responding to the growing demand and patronage for indigenous brands with regards to bridal fashion.
The event will feature a curated list of Pan-African bridal designers for the daily runway shows and brands at the BFW Bridal Boutique. The boutique will house a collection of vendors retailing bridal (and wedding) items as well as private rooms for consultations with designers and bridal stylists.
Dabiri said the Bridal Fashion Week represents a platform that aims to promote Africa’s finest brands as well as facilitate an environment for commerce adding that it will present first of its kind experience for brides and grooms-to-be, bridal stylists and other key stakeholders, under one roof in Lagos.
According to her, “This shift in the narrative is welcomed as it supports local business and their revenue-generating potential, and as such, it should be encouraged.
She further said that other activities lined up for the event will also feature one-on-one consultation with favourite local and international designers, Masterclasses by leading bridal industry experts.
Highlights of the programmes will include daily installations by Andrea Iyamah, Mai Atafo, April by Kunbi; Runway shows featuring designers from Africa, UK, and USA. These include Mazelle, Otumemine, Patrick Ayanski, Yinka Alli (UK), Alonuko (UK), David Tiale (SA), Kimono Kollection, Brides by None (USA), Magnetic Elegance, Valerie David, Toju Foyeh, Hudayya, Ese Azenabor (US), and Kosibah (UK).
Other activities lined-up for the Fashion Week include the Bridal Boutique featuring exhibitors, pop-up stores retailing bridal fashion items. The exhibitors include Bridals by Ivy, Buwie Fabrics, CLAN, Fuxion Trends, Donna Tyler Jewelry, Duke and Dexter, Perfect Occasion Bridals, Love Tims, Patrick Ayanski, Honey and Cherish.
KELECHI EWUZIE
