"Are our big fashion designers riding on past glory?"

coco olorunfemi

November 6, 2015 1:22 PM

This is an exclusive blog post by fashion personality, Coco Olorunfemi."...Whilst the brains behind the much celebrated event shared a toast, many fashion addicts and enthusiasts left the last day feeling rather underwhelmed..."

Fashion show

So, we saw the end of the Heineken Lagos fashion and design week 2015. Organizers celebrated the end of the 4 day event with obvious joy and relief. It went smoothly. No incidences. We thank the lord. Cheers.

Whilst the brains behind the much celebrated event shared a toast, many fashion addicts and enthusiasts left the last day feeling rather underwhelmed.

As expected, there was a huge build up to day 4 and many fashion editors, writers and lookers waited patiently with much zeal for the big names to blow their minds away. However, by the nearest end of the shows, a heaviness rested upon the hall. People were let down. Claps had become a chore. What was happening?

"Don't worry, the next designer won't let me down" editors told editors. Yet, a few minutes and one blared song later, there was still no redemption. "What was going on?" we thought.

"What is going on?" I ask. Have our big names stopped trying? Have they stopped putting in effort? Do they no longer see the need to wow the crowd?...to stun the mind? Have our big fashion designers become exhausted? Perhaps they have been around the world showcasing amazing designs? Perhaps they did not have enough time to prepare for the biggest fashion showcase of the year in their own country? Finishing is everything! Had they forgotten or were the steam irons and lint rollers on strike?!

Don't get it wrong! There were a few great shows that day. My problem however lies with the amount of "Okay" shows that occurred. "Day 3 should have been day 4" Many said. My heart was breaking. These were names that once inspired me. These names could take credit as the inspiration for my journey into the fashion industry.

I saw designers who have been on the scene for 5 years or less steal the show. These "newbies" were hungry! Hungry to inspire. Hungry to be creative. Their hunger delivered. Question remains... what happened on the day so carefully crafted to be the icing on the cake?Were our big fashion designers given prominence because of the surety of the creativity they were to deliver that day or rather on the creativity they delivered years ago?

Are the big shots becoming lazy or are we expecting too much of them? Are the movers and shakers of the fashion industry still moving or have they set up shop under the shade that is their past achievements?

I have no answers. Will I find them?.... Maybe, I don't know. What I do now for sure is that I want to be inspired. I want to be wowed. If as a "big designer" you think that is too much for me to ask for, then move over to the corner and let the creative vultures sweep in! You are no longer welcome.

coco olorunfemi