Arise Magazine
By Olawale Olaleye
With a significant improvement on last year’s edition, organisers of the Arise Magazine Fashion Week have announced the hosting of a bigger show for this year’s fashion week.
This year’s edition will parade no fewer than 77 designers from six continents, including the Caribbean, India, Europe, the United States and Africa.
Slated to hold between March 6 and 11, the changes in this year’s edition are in response to the phenomenal awakening the previous edition had stoked following its huge success, the organisers said in a statement yesterday.
Founder, ARISE Magazine, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, said: “There has been a surge of interest from around the world, including major UK and American brands this year, following our successful inaugural event last year, which is why we have decided to give even more designers an opportunity to participate.
“The world has recognised that Nigeria has much to offer in the way of vibrancy and extraordinary talent in abundance making it the cultural capital of Africa. Once more, we are proud to be associated with nurturing new designers from the vast continent – and continuing our support of those who are more well-known in Nigeria and in the Diaspora.”
Last year, the fashion week hosted 5,000 guests, 51 designers, 81 models, five musical acts and held across three days in Lagos.
However, this year, the organisers have increased the days from three to six, holding in three tents and beginning from Tuesday, March 6 to Sunday, March 11 on the grounds of the luxurious five-star Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Designers selected to participate in this year’s edition of the fashion week include Adama-Paris (Senegal/France), Amine Bendriouich Couture and BS (Germany/Morocco), Amrapali (India), Angelo Van Mol (Belgium/Ghana), Be-Grey (Nigeria), Bestow Elan (UK/Ghana), Bridget Awosika (Nigeria), Buki Akib (UK/Nigeria), CHICHIA (UK/Tanzania), Christie Brown (Ghana), CLAN (Nigeria), David David London (UK), Davida (Nigeria), Duaba Serwa (Ghana), Ejiro Amos Tafiri (Nigeria), Eki Orleans (UK/Nigeria), Frank Osodi (Nigeria), Funlayo Déri (UK/Nigeria), Gavin Rajah (South Africa), Gloria Wavamuno (Uganda), HOUSE of DIVAS (Nigeria), House of Farrah (Nigeria), House of Nwocha (Nigeria), ICONIC INVANITY (Nigeria), Imane Ayissi (France/Cameroon) and Jacob Kimmie (UK/South Africa).
Also expected are Jewel by Lisa (Nigeria), Kastle Designs & Treasure Chest (USA/Ghana), Kaveke (Kenya/UK), Kevan Hall (USA), Kezia Frederick (UK/St.Lucia), Kiki Clothing (Ghana), Kinabuti (Italy), Klûk-CGDT (South Africa), Koke (Botswana/India), Korto Momolu (USA/Liberia), Lanre Da Silva Ajayi (Nigeria), LaQuan Smith (USA), Laurenceairline (France/Ivory Coast), Loza Maléomsho (USA/Ivory Coast), Madam Wokie's Couture (Sierra Leone), Mai Atafo (Nigeria), Maki-Oh (Nigeria), Mataano (USA/Somalia), Meena (Nigeria), Mustafa Hassanali (Tanzania), NKWO (UK/Nigeria), Odio Mimonet (Nigeria) and Okunoren Twins (Nigeria), Osman (UK).
Others are Paul Hervé ELISABETH (Martinique), Poisa (Kenya), Re Bahia (UK/Nigeria), Sandra Kennedy (Jamaica), Sandra Muendane (Mozambique/Portugal), Sunny Rose (Nigeria/UK), Taibo Bacar (Mozambique), the Vessel. By Lois (USA/Jamaica), Tiffany Amber (Nigeria), Timo Welland (USA/South Africa), Tsemaye Binitie (UK/Nigeria), U.Mi-1 (UK/Nigeria), Virgos Lounge (UK/Nigeria), Viv La Resistance (Nigeria), William Okpo (USA/Nigeria) and Zekaryas Solomon (Eritrea/UK).
According to the organisers, the event will close with the spectacular ARISE Magazine Fashion Awards where each designer will hope to secure a golden ticket to showcase his designs at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2012 in September.