Top Nigerian Designers To Showcase In Johannesburg

olamide olarewaju

October 26, 2014 1:27 PM

Nigerian designers set up to light the runway at the Mercedes Benz fashion Week Africa 2014

Three leading Nigerian fashion design labels – Ituen Basi, Mai Atafo Inspired and Josh&Nicol – will take their place on the runway alongside the continent’s top established and emerging designers at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa (MBFWAfrica) 2014 at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, from 29 October to November 1.

Their inclusion on the prestigious runway line-up speaks to the massive growth and transformation experienced by the Nigerian fashion and textile industry of late.

Market statistics show that Nigeria’s middle class has grown to over 75 million people, and the retail industry has expanded in bounds over the past decade. As such, Nigerian consumers are more poised than ever to appreciate luxury items such as couture, creating an environment that has allowed these three designers to rise to the Pan-Continental fashion stage.

“With the Nigerian fashion industry recently valued at roughly 10 billion US$ by the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, the country is clearly a fashion force to be reckoned with. No pan-continental fashion showcase would be complete without Nigeria’s presence,” says Sizwe Nzimande, Group Marketing Manager for organiser and leading fashion authority, African Fashion International (AFI).

Two of the Nigerian labels will showcase alongside leading designers from across the African continent on Day Two of MBFWAfrica 2014. First on the runway will be luxury label, Josh&Nicol, with “Popida”, a 30-piece collection inspired by the ancient Benin Kingdom of Nigeria, infused with the work of 1960s Pop Artists like Andy Warhol. In turn, the collection will be a tribute to Queen Idia, the 16th-century West African Warrior Queen from the Niger Delta.

Thereafter, Mai Atafo Inspired – the decorated bespoke fashion clothier brand of Ife-born designer, Mai Atafo – will wow audiences with menswear (“Jungle Gentleman”) and women’s wear (“Etibor”) collections, inspired by Africa and the southern region of Nigeria.

Finally, on Day Three of MBFWAfrica, Ituen Basi’s Lagos-born label will showcase a refreshing celebration of the quintessentially West African Ankara print, with an elegant and sophisticated line punctuated by whimsical exclamations.

“All three of the Nigerian collections to be showcased demonstrate these designers’ pride in their roots in addition to their innovative abilities to take Africa’s unique style aesthetic and make it globally relevant and competitive. It is thanks to designers like this that Africans no longer need to look to the US and Europe for their fashion inspiration,” adds Sizwe Nzimande.

The labels will join over 30 of Africa’s foremost established and emerging designers – including fellow West Africans Kibonen (Cameroon), Christie Brown & Nana Brenu (Ghana), and Loza Maleombho & Laurence Airline (Ivory Coast) – in 16 shows over four days at MBFWAfrica 2014, Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, 29 October –November 1.

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