The countdown has begun to what promises to be an evening of fashion, music and film on the Runway. The event is tagged Stars on the Runway, the fashion show with a difference. The difference being the models on the runway are a selection of Nigerian celebrities chosen from the entertainment industry and sports.

According to the producer of the event and director of the production company, R70 World UK, Mr. Ayo Shonaiya, it's not an original idea, but an improvement on a mixture of what he had seen over the years covering fashion weeks around the world for his television programme The Black Variety Show. The presenter/producer of the programme, Ronke Apampa, covered a charity fashion show in New York where the theme was red dress and she decided to do the same in Nigeria to raise money for charity.

Shonaiya said, “When she came up with the idea, I thought it couldn't be done because of the logistics involved, but I've since been proven wrong. Our main advantage is that we know everyone and everyone knows us through R70 World's involvement in film and music over the last seven to eight years. I personally have come to know lots of the celebrities on first names basis, and I can call most people up, the ones we're not close to, we've been able to win their support by personal charm and a warm smile,” he joked.

The event was to have taken place on March 24 but for inadequate sponsorship, he explained that the show had to be moved to July 7, 2007 at the Lagoon Restaurant in Victoria Island Lagos. The buzz word in Lagos entertainment circles is now the show's date – 07.07.07.

“We've been pre-producing this event since October last year and had to postpone for one thing or the other, but mainly because we wanted to deliver a first-class event and had to be done right. This is R70's first major event in Nigeria and we need sponsors' backing. Our challenge before was to pitch the idea to sponsors who can visualise the concept and trust in our ability to pull it off since it's not been done before.

“I'm glad to say we now have a main sponsor in Starcomms who are putting their money where their mouth is and who I find to be a progressive and forward-looking communications company. Other co-sponsors are Motorola and Virgin Nigeria for flights,” he stated.

At the event, guests will not only see a glittering red carpet entry with some foreign fashion press in attendance, but 60 celebrities taking their turns on the runway (in 5 categories) in outfits designed by 12 Nigerian designers, entertainment by performers including comedian Jedi and a host of others.

Since this is a charity fund raiser, Shonaiya said there would also be a raffle draw and auction, one of each would be a signed shirt by recent FA Cup winner John Mikel Obi, who is also expected to be modeling on the runway before pre season with Chelsea Football Club.

Celebrity models on the day are as diverse as Nollywood stars, from Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde and Dakore Egbuson to Tony Tetuila,

Segun Odegbami, Yinka Davies, Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye; Aki and Paw Paw, Tunde Omidina and Fuji music star, K1 the Ultimate!

He said, “With the 60, we also have 12 celebrities on the bench like football players, so if some don't show up or come late, we have substitutes to take their place. All measurements have been taken and the outfits made, every celebrity will come out to individual soundtracks in no particular designer order, we're filming with eight cameras, it's going to be spectacular!”