Glamour, creativity as African designers meet in Bayelsa

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IT was a four-day of fun, glitz and glamour, as big names in fashion and style business converged in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State, for the 2014 World Fashion Reception.
   Nigeria eliminated four other contenders to win the hosting right of this elaborate event, which showcased Africa's creative ingenuity.
   Jointly organised by Banzuk Gold Entertainment, Federal  Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Bayelsa State Tourism Agency as well as Legendary Gold Limited, the show also served platform for African designers to make a point in the global fashion industry.
   Notable African designers that showcased their designed include Nigerian Zizi Cardow, Keto Couture and Debby African Stitches. There were also Kouassi Norbert Akou of Cote d'Ivoire, Urban Roots of Ethiopia, Diarra Bousso of Senegal, Keepeekee of Sierra Leone and Darkaoui Hanna of Morocco.
  Others were Ghanaian Hall of Peters, Diana Fashion from Tanzania, Namibian Amakeya Design as well as Nesma Helmy of Egypt, each brand, exploring local fabrics, distinguished itself through its creativity and perfect use of colours.

   Apart from the showcase of designs and accessories, there were music, comedy and cultural performances by African troupes, including the National Troupe of Nigeria. Emerging designers also used the platform to exchange ideas with big names in the industry.
  The event which was holding for the first time in Africa was graced by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Joseph Habineza; Vice President, World Fashion Organisation – Europe, Mr. Borgogelli Percario and the host governor, Seriake Dickson.
  The hallmark of the outing, however, was the commissioning of the first Fashion University — Goodluck World Fashion University in Yenegoa. The institution, which would be jointly sustained through public/private sector initiatives is expected to take off soon.
  Declaring the programme open, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, commended the richness of African designs and urged operators in the industry to use the show to expose Africa’s greatness.
For him, the event is a powerful platform to promote African fashion and Nigeria hosting it has positioned the country ahead of other African nations in the fashion industry.
   "African designs are spectacular, therefore, Africans should through the creative industry, expose the greatness of the continent by exploring the world fashion market."
And for Governor Dickson, the host, cultural renaissance would remain the hallmark of his administration.
  This goal, he said, motivated the establishment of creative institutions including Bayelsa State Music School, Film Academy as well as the Institution for Tourism and Hospitality.
According to him, these facilities will not only expose the state to the emerging global business environment, but would also create opportunity for the people to be economically empowered.
   Though Nigeria was given the hosting right, the Patron, World Fashion Organisation for Africa, Dr. Merit Obua, was the brain behind the successful outing.
  Popularly called the Princess of Hope, the elegant Obua, said, she was motivated by the impact of the outing on women and youths to hold the event. With the establishment of Fashion University in Nigeria, she believed that more women and youths would be economically self-reliant and socially empowered.
  "World Fashion Organization said it has the plan to build six fashion universities and I asked when they would be established. With the knowledge that the designs were ready, I pleaded with them to site the university in Nigeria.
  "This project is not about eating and drinking. It is all about exchange of ideas and using fashion to fight poverty", she said