Arise Magazine Cover
The event the whole world had been waiting for had finally come and gone but it is still alive in the hearts and minds of many that either attended, watched on media stations or read in tabloids.
The event which is attaining massive airplay from top international media bodies such as CNN brought into one platform top African designers and two time Brit Awards Winner, Tinie Tempah and Award Winning International act, Estelle.
Arise Magazine, Africa’s first Global Style and Culture Magazine hosted, for the first time in Lagos, another successful season of it fashion week in the just concluded Arise Magazine Fashion Week which took place from the 10th of March till the 13th.
Arise Magazine Fashion week runway models
Its aim is to portray the hidden talents in the African fashion industry and select five African designers that would showcase their collections at the New York Fashion Week in the fall. The very best of these designers would be invited to participate in the inaugural and annual ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION GALA in New York.
Arise Magazine’s Africa Fashion Week was to come as a fitting end to the traditional fashion season after the Paris fashion week and is designed to compete with and complete the world’s global fashion week.
To kick off the week, auditions for both models and designers were held in Lagos handheld by the Bacchus team in which 50 top designers were selected and confirmed as well as models that would participate on the runway.
The list included top African Designers such as Deola Sagoe, Tiffany Amber, Jewel by Lisa, Lanre Da Silva, Kluk CGTD as well as emerging designers such as Bridget Awosika, Maki Oh, Re Bahia, and Laquan Smith.
Finally the schedule was released containing these designers’ names and where they would showcase their collections. The fashion show was scheduled to take place at The Federal Palace, Victoria Island Lagos Nigeria and would be rotated between two showcase tents- The Arise Magazine tent and The THISDAY Style tent.
The moment everyone had been waiting arrived and first day of the four-day show saw the arrival of designers and journalists as well as guests from all over the world sauntering in to the event venue on the 10th of March 2011 all waiting for the fashion extravaganza.
By sundown of the same day, participating designers, performing acts and guests had arrived and were ready for the opening launch/dinner which took place at The Boat Club, Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria with musical performance by Dr. Sid of the Mo’hits crew.
Ituen Basi, Maki Oh, Korto Momolu and Jewel by Lisa were amongst the first designers to showcase on the 12th of March, the second day of the fashion week. The first day of exhibition depicted sheer genius and creativity.
The rest of the exhibitors for that day were House of Nwocha, Kiki Kamanu, House of Farrah, Viv la Resistance, Nikki Khiran, Toju Foyeh, Madam Wokie’s Couture, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Christine Brown, Eki Orleans, Buki Akib, Bridget Awosika, Amine Bendriouich Couture & BS, Okunoren Twins, Mustafa Hassanali and Tiffany Amber.
It was all ‘For the Love of Japan’ on the second day of exhibition as Deola Sagoe dedicated her entire collection to the natural disaster plaguing Japan today. The models looked amazing as they trotted out on the runway with the Asian inspired outfits.
Alexander Amosu, the multi-millionaire had the throng’s mouth watering as they gazed at what defines his stuff. Not to forget, his reason for being in the World Guinness book of Records, The most expensive Suit designed by him.
Bunmi koko vividly proved reasons why she was approached by the UK media as to how she would dress the future Queen of England, Kate Middleton. Described as one of the most exciting emerging designers, Bunmi has worked alongside Alexander Macqueen.
Her latest collection, Kaleidoscope was showcased at the Arise Magazine Fashion Week. But the maestro for the night was South African Designer, KLUÌ‚K CGTD whose wedding pieces dazzled at the show.
Other designers that showcased for that day were Vonne, Jil, Jo Black, Tsemaye Binitie, Mataano, Chichia, Gert-Johan Coetzee, Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi, Laquan Smith, Eredappa, Bestow Elan, Kemkem Studio and Autumn Adeigbo.
No one likes an ending but alas, all good things must come to an end. And so it was for the fashion week as it rolled to a finish on Sunday the 13th of March 2011. But what everyone looked forward to was still yet to come.
The day kicked off though with the remaining exhibitors showcasing their stuff. For Odio Mimonet, Nature deserved all her accolade as she displayed her African Tropical Autumn Garden inspired outfits which were bright with flowery and butterfly patterns.
Grey urban fineness and chick while Re Bahia had her signature prints on display. Samantha Cole had a Gothic side to her collections and Wale Adeyemi of B-side redefined the art of Men’s wear. Other designers on display- Kastle Designs & Treasure Chest, Zedeye, Angelo Von Mol, Pierre-Antione Vetterello, Nkwo, Lola Faturoti, Gavin Rajah and Xuly.Bet.
The moment everyone had been waiting for had finally come and the show was brought to a close with the Arise Magazine Fashion week Awards. Every designer/ Model did something spectacular theses few days so much that they were all winners.
But the best out of the best must be brought out, hence the awards. The audience sat and watched as each of these best was called out to receive their awards. Amongst them were emerging designer Maki Oh, New face Chika and Klûk CGTD who bagged the coveted prize.
Tinie Tempah’s magnificent talent, that bagged him two Brit awards, was written in the stars as he kept the crowd on their feet and into the wee hours of the morning bringing a perfect finish to a rigorous week.
The Electrifying Tinie Tempah
Thankfully though, no one passed out.
Source:ThisDay
Source:ThisDay
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