Denis Opudo
Mr. Omoyemi Akerele launched the Lagos Fashion Week (previously called Lagos Fashion and Design Week) in 2011. The event creates a suitable platform where designers, media, and buyers networked. The scope of Lagos Fashion Week has expanded through support, mentoring and networking.
The A/W program provides a good opportunity for designers to compete globally. The 2018 event took the form of ‘an intimate salon-style’ approach. On average, 12 designers from different fields presented their products at the Wings. During the three days event, the #LFWNG alumni steered Fashion Focus incubation initiative. The goal of this program was to support the native talents through mentoring startups and entrepreneurs in Africa.
Lagos Fashion Week or #LFWNG this week ended its phase one presentation in Lagos Nigeria. The event was jointly supported by Heineken, Garment Care, and Oando. Other partners included Style House Files, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and FETS Wallet.
#LFWNG introduced the Fashion Focus Fund on 26 Mach this year. The Fets Wallet which is a mobile payment platform sponsored the initiative to aid in supporting new designers. During the event, Emmy Kasbit, Mo Agusto, Imad Eduso and Morafa finalists pitched their business ideas. Panelists composed of a group of judges including Omoyemi Akerele, Adebimpe Adejumo, and Lisa Folawiyo. Others judges constituted of Oromo Itegboje and Harvey Imama.
The Fashion Focus Fund winner for 2018 was Emmy Kasbit. Emmy emerged the best due to his inclusive creative values in designing. The talented young entrepreneur award prize will help him to develop and expand the business. Cash grant was N5, 000,000 for business support. Other opportunity consists of business mentoring by Ijeoma Ogbechie.
