African Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) has unveiled Nigerian songstress and afro-pop star, Yemi Alade, as Brand Ambassador for the 2016 edition of the fashion show.
From a small brand founded to satisfy a niche, AFWN has evolved to become an award-winning and very well recognised brand, which is the biggest platform of its kind in Europe and Africa showcasing African designers, and Africa inspired fashion.
The afro-pop star was unveiled at a press conference in Lagos. As the Brand Ambassador, she will work with the organisers of AFWN to raise awareness on the need for Nigerians to patronise Nigerian and African designers.
Commenting on AFWN’s choice of brand ambassador, Founder, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and London, Ms. Ronke Ademiluyi stated that Yemi Alade is amazing, represents Africa and is perfect for the brand. Her brand personae aligns with the youthful, creative and energetic Africa Fashion Week Nigeria platform which empowers young and talented Nigerian designers to showcase their creativity and craft, opening them up to a world of opportunities.
“Africa Fashion Week Nigeria promotes the beauty of Africa from the creative side of fashion to the business of it. This year, we chose someone who embodies the true African woman; a strong, intellectual and musically inclined woman whose music reflects what is good, great and best for the motherland. We couldn’t have chosen anyone more suitable to be our brand ambassador, ” Ademiluyi disclosed.
On her part, afro-pop star, Yemi Alade said the AFWN brand ambassadorship aligns with her love for fashion, hinting at a possible inaugural showcase of a Yemi Alade collection at the 2016 Africa Fashion Week Nigeria scheduled to hold in the first week of July.
“I didn’t see this coming but it is a stepping stone for me into the realm of fashion. An opportunity to show people what I am about. I have been working on a collection for almost a year and might unveil something at the fashion week or in the nearest future. “Africa Fashion Week London is the biggest African-inspired fashion event in Europe at the moment. It has been running for five successful years. The project has successfully launched the careers of over 400 young fashion designers of Nigerian origin in the Diaspora. AFWL discovered, nurtured their careers and shot them into the limelight, and are ensuring that they stay there for good.
“Having succeeded in London and seeing that most of the show’s talent finds are Nigerians, we decided to bring the project home and in May 2014, we launched Africa Fashion Week Nigeria. It was an explosive success, long awaited and became the most anticipated fashion runway in Nigeria today.”
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