5 lessons Nigerian designers should learn from Anniesa Hasibuan

Anniesa Hasibuan woke up to rave reviews after making the first designer to showcase a collection with hijab at the New York Fashion Week 2016 and has fast gained international exposure and followership not to mention the epic collection she threw down earning her a standing ovation (she got a lot of 'firsts' at the NYFW).

ALSO READ:Anniesa Hasibuan makes 1st ever designer to present with hijabs

Emerging Nigerian designers should take a cue from the Indonesian designer who revealed her passion is first for designing but strongly injects her background into her designs; "I want to bring the Indonesian name to the fashion world, and use my clothes to introduce people to the different and diverse parts of Indonesia" Hasibuan revealed about the collection that earned her a standing ovation as well as garnering rave reviews worldwide to The Jakarta Post'.

There are lessons Nigerian designers can learn as the Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week draws closer.

1. Originality

Designers should own their narrative, look inwards for inspiration that's theirs by creating original designs, no copying from other brands locally or internationally! While trends may make designs look similar, there will always be different ways to interpret the designs if the inspiration is birthed by the 'real owner'.

Tiffany Amber opened the show at the LFDW 2015 presenting pieces that can only be birthed by a creative, the flow of the designs/ transition and the presentation were spot on.

Avoid copying someone else's designs even if you look up to the person or got inspired by something they created, it's not only wrong it's bad for the brand. (and no one wants a 'copy copy' brand)

2. Creativity

Actively create! Sharpen your skills by going back to school, taking a few courses or getting out/travelling for inspiration to learn even more than you know yesterday. By now, designers presenting at the LFDW in a few weeks should have their collection ready (or at least finishing up) when prepared there's the likelihood of infusing more pleasing aesthetics af getting it right from styling, presentation and even the designs.

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Orange Culture easily told a story last year with models coming out with stem of roses held firmly between their lips!

3. Presentation

The way the designs are presented on the runway is easily one of the reasons to determine whether a designer 'brought it' or not, some designers have killer designs but lack imagination so presentation is lack lustre-though nothing over the top as this might take away from the designs- have a 'narrative' in mind for showcasing the designs in the collection and one that tell a story or represents exactly what the collection is about.

Last year, April by Kunbi had a 'bond' (James Bond!) theme to her showcase and it got so much at a point people almost lost interest as it dragged on! It was refreshing display but it would have been best kept simple and short.

4. Drama-free

Absolutely no fuss, present a collection that is straight to the point without unnecessary drama or actions and even if there should be, nothing should take away the spotlight from the designs/collection; not a side attraction nor the models! Maki Oh is a 'don' when it comes to staying drama free on the runway.

ALSO READ:Fashion insider Giovanni Franciosi breaks down runway presentations

5. Know your craft

By all means, understand the rudiments of fashion and apply it in every area of creating the designs that are supposed to grace the runway. By all means understand creating and execute it just well.

It's a waste of time and resources presenting a horrible collection even if you strive to get better later people may have moved on.