Art & Culture | 16 July 2010 10:17 CET

NIGERIAN FASHION WEEK, LONDON BECKONS

By Alonge Michael
princess Aderonke Ademiluyi

princess Aderonke Ademiluyi

Basking in the euphoria of Nigeria's 50th Independence Celebration, the formidable team, Aderonke Ademiluyi, Bola Awosika, Kamari Ademiluyi are set to make a statement with Nigeria fashion as they host its first-ever Nigeria Fashion Week in the city of London. The fashion show that will enthrall but the residents and visitors of London has since been gathering momentum.

Over the years, Nigeria fashion industry has come of age evolving from one level to another, the esoteric fashion business in Nigeria following series of activities that have rated us to be amongst the top-class fashion-conscious country is set to display the rich fashion sense of Nigerians. Rukkies as Ronke is fondly call, we learnt, has been in and out working seriously to make the event a huge success. Abebi Akerele, the event's project coordinator has also joined force with the three musketeers to make the event a grand success in London come ffirst week of October to commemorate with Nigeria on her Golden Jubilee.

The event, which is set to showcase the best of Nigerian fashion talents both home and in the diasporas, giving them recognition for all they have been doing as part of activities marking the 50th Independence Anniversary, will feature varied musical presentations, catwalks, fashion displays and comedy from renowned humourists in London and Nigeria.

“The NFWL will act as platform that will bring together Nigerians living outside the country, especially in Europe, co-opting them in the celebrations marking the 50 years of existence of Nigeria as a national entity. This is very important as Nigerians living abroad have not been offered any opportunity to be involved in the celebration activities so far. Also it will act as a platform where our youth in the Diasporas can mingle freely among themselves thus creating awareness about our culture by mixing glamour and tradition under one platform, thereby doing what Nottinghill Carnival does for the Afro-Caribbean youth in the United Kingdom.” Ronke enthused.

When asked what are the line of activities packaged strictly for the event, Bola Awosika, the elegant woman who runs La Viva Beauty World said it would involve trade exhibitions that would cut across all aspects of Nigeria businesses from Nigeria and the U.K. She further said that it would also create awareness for Nigeria business in Nigeria by giving them an opportunity to showcase their products to the UK and the global community.

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