The first edition of the GT Bank fashion weekend, a consumer focused fashion exhibition, made its debut recently with an impressive start. Many didn't
The first edition of the GT Bank fashion weekend, a consumer focused fashion exhibition, made its debut recently with an impressive start. Many didn’t quite know what to expect, being 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. Each day began with the master classes and the retail aspect of the fashion event, simultaneously.
The retail experience
The bank wasn’t paying lip service with the theme of the fashion event, ‘Promoting Enterprise’. It demonstrated its commitment to growing SMEs, particularly in the fashion sector, in a sustainable manner that is not driven by profits but focused on empowering and growing the economy. The retail side of the event created an ultimate fashion experience where promising and talented brands showcased their products to a large and diverse audience of consumers, fashion aficionados and industry professionals. The over 80 brands selected, all ranging from textile, clothing and apparel, ready to wear footwear, jewellery and accessories, hair and beauty, crafts and many more, were not charged a fee to participate.
The crafts village
The crafts village which is the first thing one notices as one comes into the venue of the event, was headlined by the renowned Nike Davies-Okundaye, a batik and textile designer as well as the founder of Nike Arts Gallery, one of the biggest art galleries in the South West. At the craft village, participants and interested visitors got the opportunity to watch live, the expertise with which artisans transform materials into fashion master pieces such as adire, tye and dye and batik, absolutely free. This was the bank’s way of encouraging many to learn a trade along that line.
The master classes
The master classes provided a platform for ideas to be shared and nurtured while also providing fashion entrepreneurs the unique opportunity to learn from global industry leaders and experienced brands. Relevant topics addressing challenges and opportunities, fashion entrepreneurship, growth and profitability, physical and e-commerce retailing, fashion blogging, fashion journalism etc were discussed. 
The speakers were;
Bethlehem Tilahum Alemu: An Ethiopian who owns the footwear and leather company, SoleRebels. She shared her entrepreneurial journey and gave tips on how to be financially successful in fashion.
Sam Fine: Highly regarded for his talent and passion, the American is one of the most respected and highly sought after makeup artist in the world. He spoke on the possibility of moving from being just a budding makeup artist to a very successful one, commanding the attention of many. He rounded off his class by giving a practical demonstration of what he knows how to do best.
Bijou Abiola: The Nigerian born successful fashion buyer who has worked directly with several top brands and designers in America, spoke on the branch of the fashion industry she operates in while also sharing tips on being a successful fashion buyer. She did express her wish for the fashion industry in Nigeria to be as well regulated as it is in America through a regulating body.
Tracy Reese: She is a board member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America as well as a fashion designer whose fame soared when she began to design for the outgoing First Lady of America, Michelle Obama. She spoke on how to take charge of one’s brand in the evolving global market space. She also expressed the need for diversity in designs to avoid being restricted creatively.
Dylan Jones: The Editor of GQ magazine (UK) who is regarded as one of the best in fashion journalism, has been privileged to lead the men’s magazine to win over 30 awards. He spoke extensively on the importance of content, in whatever form in propelling growth through commerce. Expectedly, he gave his thoughts on trends shaping the fashion, style and luxury market and how one can be a part of it.
Oke Maduewesi: The former banker turned beauty entrepreneur, is the face behind Zaron cosmetics. At her master class, she not only inspired budding entrepreneurs with her inspiring story of determination and hard work, she also reiterated the need to constantly seek to be innovative and think outside the box to grow a successful brand.
Caroline Rush: She is the CEO of the British Fashion Council, a body responsible for the renowned London Fashion Week and the British Fashion Awards. She spoke on how digitalization, the power of networking among others, can be utilized to successfully position a brand. She also gave insights on her role at the fashion council and the importance of fashion weeks in the fashion industry.
Claire Sulmers: A journalist by training before transitioning to fashion blogging, she is considered one of the most influential media personalities in the fashion industry. She gave tips on how to run a successful fashion blog, using her own experiences form running her blog, fashionbombdaily.com.
The fashion presentation
While the master classes were in full swing, four Nigerian designers put up a presentation of their exclusive designs just at the entrance of the main hall, in tribute to the social media trend, ‘mannequin challenge’. While Weizdhurm Franklyn and Toju Foyeh put up a presentation on the first day, Chidinma Obiari and Style Temple did on the second day.
The runway
The runway shows which ended each day’s flurry of activities, featured collections by four international brands and two well respected Nigerian designers. Three of them on each of the two days. The well coordinated shows offered guests artistic insights into the modern world of Nigerian and global fashion design.
Day 1
Julien Macdonald: The Welsh fashion designer opened with show with pizzaz. He featured a lot of sequins, cutouts and fringes in his collection some of which looked futuristic.
Adama Paris: The Senegalese designer was the queen of colours for the night as she made extensive use of pastel yellow, Navy, black and purple. Her collection was simple with clean cuts.
Lanre DaSilva-Ajayi: One of Nigeria’s favourite, she ended the show with her signature dance around the runway. Her collection featured quite a bit of ruffles, metallic on a large scale and well placed motifs. It was vintage LDA.
Day 2
Taibo Bacar: The dress and bag designer from Mozambique played with earth tones and bright colours, most of which were accessorized with her handbags made of croc skin. The pieces were not only wearable, they could easily transform from day to night wears.
Ejiro Amos Tafiri: The Nigerian designer was eager to prove that she has truly evolved with her mostly white collection which she interspersed with purple and floral pieces. Some of the pieces were very feminine, sexy and flirty.
David Tlale: Typical of the South African, the designer ended the show in a dramatic way. His models walked the runway very slowly, almost like a spiritual walk. He took many by surprise when rather than show a mostly black collection which is his signature style, his models adorned mostly pieces in white with a splash of black, something he describes as Labyrinth, moving art.
