From rising models to the busiest runways to the biggest fashion happenings - for us at Ivory-NG, these are some of the standout fashion moments of 20
From rising models to the busiest runways to the biggest fashion happenings – for us at Ivory-NG, these are some of the standout fashion moments of 2016.
GT Bank fashion weekend
The first edition of the GT Bank fashion weekend, a consumer focused fashion exhibition, made its debut between the 12th of November and 13th of November with an impressive start. Many didn’t quite know what to expect, as it is the first time a bank would be solely responsible for a fashion event. It was however not the first time the bank would attempt to extend its tentacles to the fashion industry. Having sponsored two of the country’s leading fashion events, The ARISE fashion week and The Lagos Fashion and Design Week, for a combined period of five years, it was obvious the bank was ready to leave an extensive footprint in the fashion industry with its recent venture. From the retail section which had about 80 Nigerian brands, all within the fashion and beauty industry showcasing their products free of charge; to the master classes which provided a platform for ideas to be shared from global industry leaders and experienced brands; to the runway shows which featured collections from four international designers as well as two Nigerian designers; the GT Bank fashion weekend was indeed a surreal experience.
The master class experience
The Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW)
The annual Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW), a multiday fashion event platform, held between October 26th and October 29th 2016 for its sixth edition. Beyond the glamour and the razz mattaz that is characteristic of an event of such magnitude, it provided a physical platform that’s gradually repositioning fashion as a useful tool for commerce and creativity in Nigeria. Unlike previous editions, there were quite a few firsts at this year’s edition. This year, the runway was wider by ‘miles’, making it possible for the models to get creative with their catwalk. Also, for the first time since the history of the fashion event and in any fashion show for that matter in Nigeria, plus sizes were considered. Style journalist, Latasha Ngwube, through her movement, At The Curvy Life (ATCL), an online platform that aims to inspire and support body positivity and promote body confidence within and beyond the plus size status, championed this cause by collaborating with some plus size designers to showcase their collections. In addition, Gbemisoke, a shoe brand by on air personality, Gbemisola Olateru-Olagbegi, also made its debut at the fashion week as it was the official shoe brand for the models of the ATCL collection. Alara the concept store owned by Reni Folawiyo put up a private viewing of Nigerian designer, Maki Oh’s collection right in her store. It was the first time a store would be showcasing a collection at the fashion event even though it wasn’t on the runway. The fashion event ended with an after party headlined by American R N B singer, T-Pain under the sponsorship of Heineken, the headline sponsor of the fashion show.
Latasha Ngwube acknowledging cheers after a successful outing at Lagos Design Fashion Week
Genevieve magazine beauty award
The pioneer women lifestyle magazine held its first ever beauty awards in the month of November with winners from various sectors of the beauty industry. The Beauty Awards not only served as a platform to promote and encourage developments, strides and achievements recorded in the growing industry, it is also a way to create awareness that helps reinforce and celebrate the fact that the beauty and wellness industry in Africa is truly a market that impacts the economy and society positively. 
Betty Irabor presenting an award to one of the recipients of the award, Bobby Eke
Uche Nnaji’s Fashion Business Intelligence series
‘Fashionprenuer’, style influencer and boss of OUCH couture, Uche Nnaji, who has always had a burning desire to help build a solid fashion industry beyond the glamour of runways, held the second edition of his Fashion Business Intelligence series where he alongside other major players in the fashion industry mentor fashion startups and business owners the country with the necessary skills and knowledge to move their business to the next level.
Convener, Uche Nnaji with Nike Ogunlesi of Ruff & Tumble
The Lagos Fashion Awards
Gradually becoming a cultural and lifestyle brand, the Lagos Fashion Awards is put together to celebrate outstanding stars and lifetime achievers in the fashion and entertainment industry, who have distinguished themselves within the business circle of fashion and entertainment and have proven that through fashion, style and creativity, one can impact lives, create jobs and also make a living. In its fifth year, this year’s edition came with a twist; there were 34 award categories and 20 honorees.
Juliet Ibrahim, a recipient at the Lagos Fashion Award
Amaka Osakwe joins the exclusive Business of Fashion 500 list
That she is a fashion force to reckon with would be putting it mildly. Amaka Osakwe who is a fashion designer and founder of ready-to-wear label, Maki Oh, has had her work recognised by the likes of Vogue and Style.com. Her label has also been worn by several celebrities among who are the outgoing First Lady of America, Michelle Obama, Solange Knowles, Leelee Sobeiski, Lupita Nyong’o, Anika Noni Rose, Asa and a feature in Beyoncé’s visual album ‘Lemonade’. Not too long ago, she won an award for Best New Director at Fashion Film Festival for her video ‘OMI’ inspired by the powerful cultural myth of ‘mami water’ while previously earning herself an LVMH nomination. For all these and more, her named joined the growing ‘The Business of Fashion exclusive BOF 500 list’, thus joining a cast of passionate, diverse and interesting characters who are redefining the global fashion industry. For joining the BOF 500 list, Amaka joins other Nigerian designers such as Reni Folawiyo of Alara, Omoyemi Akerele of StyleHouse Files and Tayo & Ayo Amusan of Perisians Group on this professional index of people shaping the global fashion industry, alongside international gurus such as Donatella Versace, Eva Chen, Michael Preysman and more.
The Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria
A mission fuelled by the lack of retail space, production factories and start-up funds hindering the growth of the potential multimillion dollar African Fashion Industry, is what propels the founder of Africa Fashion Week, London and Nigeria, Ronke Ademiluyi. This explains why she has been relentless to see that the African Fashion Industry takes its pride of place among the comity of nations who play big on the international fashion scene via the platform, Africa Fashion Week. In its sixth year, the AFWN is also a platform for scouting and discovering fresh talents within the fashion industry.
Tiannah styling designs at AFWN
ALARA + Christian Louboutin = Partnership That Works
In recognition of ALÁRA, a reference point for curating exceptional designs from around the world, garnering the world’s most desirable pieces including inspirational objects of African origin alongside renowned international designers, the luxury lifestyle store clinched the exclusive partnership in Nigeria with global luxury designer shoe and accessory brand, Christian Louboutin renowned for its undeniable craftsmanship, perfection and beauty. 
Models breaking borders
Nigeria, no doubt, has some of the world’s finest models who are currently dominating the international runway space. A few of them are:
Davidson Obennebo
He is the first Nigerian to win the finals at Elite International Model look 2016 in far away Lisbon since the country began to take part in the competition about seven years ago. He is also the first person of colour to win the competition since its inception in 1972. Signed to Beth Modelling Agency, he is currently the winner of the 2016 Aquafina Elite Model Look, Nigeria alongside his female counterpart, Omoh Momoh. His winning was such a big deal and considered a major accomplishment as the Elite Model Look International competition is considered the gold standard in the fashion world.
Victor Ndigwe
The student of Applied Mathematics, was the winner of the 2014 Aquafina Elite Model Look. Since winning, he has walked the ramp for big designer houses like Ermenegildo Zegna, Missoni, Hermès, Balmain, Kenzo and Haider Ackermann etc, the first ever Nigerian male model to do so. He has also made runway appearances for several brands and so good is he that he caught the attention of Vogue magazine who ran a feature on him as one of the faces from Sub Saharan Africa, Nigeria to be precise, to watch out for.
Adeola Ariyo
A finalist at the first ever Face of Africa contest, Deola has gone on to become one of the major forces to reckon with in the industry. Currently based in South Africa, she has not only featured in major fashion editorials of international fashion magazines as well as international runways, she is currently the face of cosmetics giant, Estee Lauder (Africa).
Ade Bakare’s fashion show in honour of late Remi Lagos
Since the death of late Remi Osholake the elegant designer behind the label, Remi lagos, not much thought have been given to her or what she stood for. But four years after her death from lung cancer, London based designer, Ade Bakare thought it best to honour his late friend with a private fashion showcase of his Couture 2017 Summer Collection which he aptly named Total luxury and proudly Nigerian, to highly distinguished socialites and celebrities from top organizations. To her honour, Ade chose celebrities and socialites to walk the runway in his pieces. Some of those who were gracious to do so, were actress Bimbo Akintola, Mosun Ogunbanjo, Kaine Amachree, Ngozi Princewill-Utchey, Tundun Tejuosho, Bukki Olatunji, Yewande Amusan, Ruth Osime and Abby Ikomi.
New crop of young publishers
While some magazines are planning to go out of print circulation, others are making their debut, working at taking their place within the ever evolving fashion and beauty industry. Those who dared to take the bold decision in 2016 are:
Ifan Ifeanyi Michael
The fashion stylist, fashion editor, brand consultant, publicist, movie producer and executive director decided to expand his empire by joining the league of publishers with the launch of his fashion, entertainment and lifestyle magazine, Fame Extra Magazine, a monthly magazine.
Tayo Afolabi
She runs World PR media and in the year launched The Beauty Report magazine, a platform that will showcase trends and stakeholders in the beauty industry.
Simi Esiri
The lawyer who went on AWOL from fashion journalism used the opportunity the 2016 edition of the Lagos Design Fashion Week provided, to launch her new fashion and lifestyle publication, Schick Magazine. The magazine is targeted at smart, stylish and successful African women who want to look and feel good regardless of life’s demands.
What recession? Designers who expanded their frontiers
Despite the supposed economic climate, a few designers felt the need to expand their business frontiers to afford them cater better to their growing clientele spread across the country just like these few:
Ejiro Amos Tafiri, the founder of the self named eponymous label opened her flagship store, E A T, on Allen Avenue, Ikeja and also launched her School of Design Atelier. The Ikeja store happens to be her second store as she already has a studio/HQ in Egbe, Idimu. Not also forgetting her retail partners, Grey & Velvet as well as O & A lifestyle shop, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. 
Barely two years after Evans Akere wowed customers and friends with the opening of his Lekki store off Admiralty way, the menswear designer behind the Vanskere brand, moved from the office where it all began, off Opebi/Oregun link road, a two bedroom affair, to a deluxe ultra modern show room.
Wonu Okoye, the founder of Meidei, a fashion contemporary lifestyle retail outlet and co-owner of former Le Space fashion retail outlet now has a pride of place at the Spar Supermart along Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, lagos. This she accomplished this year. This is also in addition to her flagship store located in Lekki, Lagos, which aims to bridge the gap between luxury and high street fashion, while also driving the discovery of up and coming designers, by giving them a platform to hone their talent. 
House of Dunes: The luxury mall situated in Abuja has a Nigerian floor that stocks only Nigerian designs across menswear and womenswear sections. The idea behind ‘The Nigerian Floor is to provide an expertly curated luxury space that offers the best of affordable luxury and Made In Nigeria pieces by Nigerians.
