By Omolara Akintoye
Founder/CEO FashionEVO, Dr. Yetunde Ogunnubi speaking
Presentation of awards to fashion icons
Local fashion designers have been urged to collaborate with global brands, to enable them reach new and wider audiences.
The Convener of Africa Creative Market, Dr. Inya Lawal made the call during the unveiling of Fashion Evo Fashion Show/Award 2024, at a 4-day Business Entertainment Conference organized by African Creative Market, (ACM).
According to Inya Lawal, the Business of Fashion is lucrative but without a proper structure it cannot achieve it’s full potentials. “Local designers need a well-structured framework to facilitate this relationship. By creating a structured approach that fosters collaboration between local designers and global brands, the local fashion industry can thrive” said Dr Lawal.
Models on the runway
She added that part of what ACM intend to achieve at the conference was using the platform to create structured marketplace where local designers can access high-quality materials, tools, and technology that global brands might have.
The Founder & CEO FashionEVO, Dr Yetunde Ogunnubi stressed the need to provide educational programs led by industrial experts from global brands which can enhance the skills of local designers. ‘Incorporating a curriculum focused on the business aspects of fashion, such as branding, e-commerce, and sustainability can equally scale their operations while maintaining quality”.
Ogunnubi stated that Global brands can share best practices on sustainability, helping local designers adopt eco-friendly practices, which can appeal to a conscious consumer base.
‘Joint initiatives between local and global brands on sustainable fashion can enhance the reputation of local designers” said. Dr. Ogunnubi
The creative industry according to an Internationally renowned Nigerian creative photographer, artist and the Publisher, Mania Magazine, Kelechi Amadi Obi, needs opportunities and platforms that can encourage them achieve success.
“With the success of Nollywood and Afrobeats, Nigeria has shown that creative content can attract significant investment and generate substantial revenue through exports” he said.
Other side attractions was modelling of some renowned local designers on the runway.
Awards were presented to fashion icons : Kelechi Amadi Obi – Winner Iconic Fashion Photographer of the Decade; Ms. Sade Thomas-Fahm Winner Represented by her son- Fauzi) – Life Achievement Award in Fashion.
Bola Balogun – Winner Inspiring Lifestyle Brand Strategist. Lanre Da Silva – Female Fashion Icon of the Decade, Nest PanAfrican Creative Collaboration. Ruth Osime – Life Achievement Award in Fashion Narratives, among others.
