Fashion Week is a big deal worldwide. The most recognised of them are Paris Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week.
Fast on the heels of Milan Fashion Week is Africa Fashion International. Not as popular as the other fashion weeks but popular enough on the continent. With Africa being home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, it is no wonder that the fashion industry is booming and hopefully soon, we’ll be able to have the same notoriety as the likes of Paris Fashion Week.
Having never attended a fashion show in Nigeria, I was excited to attend my first one, Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) October 25 – 28 2017. Lagos Fashion and Design Week is an annual 4-day event that showcases collections by various African designers in the country. Thanks to Nothing To Do In Lagos, I was granted a press pass which allowed me front and backstage access to the fashion shows on day 3.
The schedule for the day looked promising. I was particularly looking forward to seeing Andrea Iyamah, Orange Culture and Lisa Folawiyo’s latest collections but I, unfortunately, didn’t get to see them.
I arrived just after 17:00hrs with no expectations and an open mind. Immediately after I exited my Uber, I was stopped by Vogue’s camera crew who requested to take some snaps of my outfit for their digital platform. My last minute colour blocking ensemble was a hit and I spent the first two hours at the event getting stopped for pictures by various media outlets. Let’s just say I now know what it feels like to be a celebrity. It is hard work but I guess someone’s gotta do it. 😉
When I wasn’t asked to be photographed, I was doing the photographing. There was so much to see and snap, and soooo many beautiful people that it was hard not to stare.
I’m not all that familiar with the Nigerian entertainment scene but I saw some famous faces that I recognised like TV presenter, Denrele Edun, Singer/Songwriter, Yemi Alade (I think) and fashion influencer Temi Otedola
It was around 19:00hrs that I went into the main hall for the fashion shows but it was overcrowded. There seemed to be more people than there were seats and after 30 minutes of standing on my aching feet clad in heels, I’d had enough and so I left. Not even the promise of a date with Ryan Reynolds could have gotten me to stay for longer.
Highlights of Lagos Fashion and Design Week
I saw a lot more preshow than I did of the actual fashion shows. The preshow was like one big party. I, who can be a little bashful let loose and danced. I also got to see some fashion and jewellery brands that had their products on display at stalls in the main hall. Jewellery brand, Little Luxuries and fashion college, One Stop Celebration (OSC) caught my attention. I was most fascinated by the latter’s creation of the colourful fringed woven dress.
I only got to see three shows; Emmy Kasbit, Clan and Re and of the three, I loved Clan and Re’s collections the most. I can totally see myself wearing both collections.
I thought that Clan’s designs were feminine with an edge. The pieces in the collection spoke of a confident, sophisticated, edgy, modern woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to get it. The Clan woman is confident, she is the mentor we all need in our lives. She is comfortable in her skin and unapologetic about who she is. She doesn’t need to show skin to feel sexy, she just is.
Re, on the other hand, was mostly soft, satin feminine pieces. The pieces were beautiful, elegant and whimsical. I see trophy wife- a woman of leisure and pleasure. She feels comfortable entertaining and being the centre of attention. A Re woman is flirty and gregarious and would fit perfectly aboard a yacht sipping on champagne and saying “cheers darhliing!”
Overall, it was a cool experience. I just wish the show hall wasn’t so crowded and that I’d been able to sit and enjoy the entire show. Lagos Fashion and Design Week down, GTB Fashion Weekend to go! Are you going?