From Lagos to London: Lagos based Ladies of Fashion Get Ready for Africa Fashion Week London 2013

TOYIN LAWANI OF ELEGANTE BY TIANNAH STYLING

ELEGANTE BY TIANNAH STYLING

ASAKE OGE

With only two months to go to the biggest African fashion extravaganza London’s set to see, the third edition of Africa Fashion Week London taking place 1-3 August 2013 at Old Truman Brewery at the capital’s hip and happening district Shoreditch, the heat is up. 

Fabrics selected, scissors, pins and needles at the ready, our designers are fast preparing for their moment on the runway in front of thousands of fashionable Londoners and guests coming in from across the world and all over Africa as well as celebrities, dignitaries and VIP guests including this year’s patrons Abuja based business woman and architect Mrs. Fifi Ejindu and London-based Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE.

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Amongst the African and African-inspired designers from across the globe signed up to showcase on this international runway are also three Lagosian ladies getting ready to dazzle a thousand-strong audience: Meg Alabi of Alabi Couture, Toyin Lawani of Elegante by Tiannahstyling and Asake Agoro of Asake Oke who has recently relocated to Lagos from London. Having participated in some way in last year’s Africa Fashion Week London, they are no strangers to the event, and it was perhaps last year’s success that inspired them to hit the runway in their stylish strides this year. 

 

MEG ALABI

DESIGN BY MEG ALABI

Meg Alabi of Alabi Couture who exhibited her designs at AFWL 2012 says, “AFWL is a great avenue to reach a targeted clientele and a great platform whereby we showcase our ready-to-wear collection with a twist.”

Alabi launched in MD’s Clothing in 2005 in Surulere, Lagos, which proved an instant hit with the Lagos power dressers due to Meg's eye for fashion and a rich stock which included everything for men and women from coshes to fragrances, footwear accessories and gifts. In 2011 Alabi launched the eponymous Alabi Couture, specializing in designing couture, high tempo fashion with an eye for cut and fit.

When asked what the audience at AFWL 2013 can expect from her, Meg describes her collection as a “2-in-1 collection, a combination of Ankara, cotton, silk, chiffon and a combination of a day wear and evening wear with much needed comfort, sassy and trendy class for both men and women.”

 

DESIGNS BY ASAKEOGE

Asake Agoro of Asake Oge London was another one of the exhibitors last year who was so dazzled by the flashing lights of the catwalk she had to come back this year as a runway designer. Third generation seamstress, who launched her label in 2009 says, “I wanted to be a part of Africa Fashion Week London because it is the biggest African event in Europe and it has the best platform for African talent to get Western exposure”

The label who creates for women who are “unique, individual, daring in a stylish way” promises to bring a brand new collection of structured futuristic lines fused with soft feminine silhouettes.

Another lady who is no stranger to AFWL both front and back of stage is none other than Toyin Lawani, Creative Director of Tiannahstyling and Elegante by Tiannahstyling. Having worked as a stylist backstage at last year’s event, styling for a number of designers including the grand finale by Adebayo Jones on Saturday’s gala show, Lawani feels ready to showcase her own designs on the AFWL runway this year.

“I’m really thrilled to be showcasing at AFWL this year.  I had a chance to showcase at Africa Fashion Week London last year but didn’t take it because I wanted to learn a lot from working backstage internationally,” explains Lawani. “I had also worked with Music on the Catwalk styling backstage in NYC prior to that. I am now ready to take on the challenge of showcasing my collection this year.”

Elegante by TiannahStyling was launched in 2012 by young entrepreneur Toyin Lawani, one of Nigeria’s number one creative directors and stylists. Sleek and sophisticated, Elegante by Tiannahstyling encapsulates the essence of femininity with designs that flatter the female form. 

Spring/Summer 2013 collection “Daring”, a mix of different fabrics including lycra, silk, chiffon, cotton and leather, was inspired mostly by Toyin Lawani’s love for fairy tale illusions, art and colours. And we are sure to expect nothing less of the designer known for her edgy style. “My collection is very dramatic and London fashionistas  should expect the best my unpredictable and creative mind has to offer,” Lawani says.

Toyin Lawani, Asake Agoro and Meg Alabi are only three of the ladies, along with others like Zizi Cardow, Ella and Gabby to name a few, who will be hitting the runway with designs cut from a different cloth, representing Nigeria in the heart of London.

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NewAfricanWoman is the Official Media Sponsor for Africa Fashion Week London 2013

 Aligning visions to create unique and reputable platforms for African talent, Africa Fashion Week London 2013 and the award-winning bi-monthly magazine NewAfricanWomanhave joined forces to make the third edition of Africa Fashion Week London scheduled for 1-3 August 2013 at Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch a success.

The only women’s publication that covers the entire African continent and its Diaspora, NewAfricanWoman, also published in French, provides in-depth coverage on a diverse range of issues that truly speak to and resonate with the modern African woman worldwide. Following its launch in 2009, the magazine has become a popular must-read and is the only pan-African women’s magazine distributed in the 54 countries of the continent and its Diaspora in Europe, America and the Caribbean. The magazine truly celebrates African/black women’s beauty, fashion and culture with a deliberate and unique indigenous twist.

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The NewAfricanWoman has identified a new market of African women who are not only fashion and beauty conscious but also influential, affluent, and positively contribute towards making Africa a better place. These are women who not only take pride in their appearance, but also are groundbreakers and change makers. The magazine offers intelligent, meaningful and inspirational features and news in areas that embrace and celebrate the African woman’s diverse accomplishments and aspirations in all spheres, from fashion to politics, entrepreneurship to parenting, beauty to culture, health to women’s rights and empowerment.

“Our editorial formula is undoubtedly in its own league especially when it comes to supporting and highlighting African fashion design talent. No one does what we do. We have been keen and unapologetic supporters of Africa Fashion Week London from its very onset three years ago. And being asked to media sponsor this year’s event is so exciting because the AFWL ethos is very similar to ours. Its Africa’s time and we believe African fashion is no longer the much pigeonholed ‘source of inspiration’ but deserves right recognition and acceptance on its own merits by the international community and global brands, and we are proud that this is what the AFWL and its founder Ronke Ademuluyi are trying to achieve and we fully support that,” says the NewAfricanWoman editor reGina Jane Jere.

She adds: “Today’s African/Black women embrace fashion in very diverse forms and this is what Africa offers and what AFWL is bringing to the international stage. Global brands need to support platforms such as AFWL, because the benefits are not only diverse, but limitless.”

“We are extremely pleased to have one of our long-standing allies since our inception as our media sponsor for 2013. In their passion and endevours to consistently encourage, exalt and celebrate African fashion talent, NewAfricanWoman serves as a unique platform for emerging and established designers of African descent and as an organisation which strives to provide a platform for African design talent, we are delighted to have a media sponsor whose ethos and vision are strongly aligned with ours.”

With Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist as patrons, this year's event once again promises to be a huge success which will see over 100 African designers and exhibitors showcasing their designs at the event, taking place in the impressive Truman Brewery space, just off Brick Lane. This years’ AFWL is set to be bigger and better than ever, expected over 20,000 people to attend the event over the course of the three days.

With still a few spaces left for runway and exhibition space, Africa Fashion Week London 2013 is accepting applications till 30 June 2013 from designers who wish to showcase on the runway and/or exhibit their merchandise over the three-day exhibition.

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Africa Fashion Week London Seeks New Face for AFWL 2013

YINKA SHONIBARE, MBE

PRINCESS FIFI EJINDU

With a little over seven months left to Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) 2013 on 1^st-3^rdAugust 2013, the organizers of the annual fashion extravaganza are looking for the Face of AFWL 2013 to represent the event on all promotional material and social platforms. The winner will also have the opportunity to represent the organization at major African fashion and entertainment events in the UK as well as model on the runway at AFWL 2013.

Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2012, Edith Uba not only took part in the promotional shoot at the venue for the event Spitalfields Market but also modeled over the two days of the show and following AFWL 2012 she was signed to one of the top UK modeling agencies Strike Models.

“I could not believe that I would be given that opportunity to win it. I felt that I had accomplished something that can never be taken away from me. It made me believe in myself a lot more. It helps you to appreciate and embrace the beauty that Africa exerts and the fact I was given the chance to represent that,” said Edith of her title as the Face of Africa Fashion Week London 2012.  

“I got signed with a UK agency a few weeks after the show. I also got to meet the talented designer Tiannahstyling and I modelled for her at the Music Meets Runway 2012 fashion show in Nigeria. It helped me to understand that I have the willpower, ability and the potential to go as far as I want in this industry, its just being focused and hardworking and perseverance,” Edith added.

“Edith has been a wonderful face for Africa Fashion Week London 2012 and this year we hope to find equally talented young faces to represent Africa Fashion Week London 2013,” said Ronke Ademiluyi, founder and CEO of Africa Fashion Week London.

All interested applicants need to do is upload a collage of one full length and one portrait image and include their name, age and stats (hair and eye colour, height, dress/suit size, measurements) and spread the word to ensure they get the most number of votes. The competition is open to all young men and women between the ages 16-24. Prior modeling experience is ideal but not essential. Applications can be made on http://www.facebook.com/Africafwl/app_451684954848385

Following the unprecedented success of their sophomore event in August 2012 which attracted over 20,000 visitors over two days, in a bid to grow bigger, AFWL has not only expanded to three days but also moved to a bigger venue, Old Truman Brewery F Block.

With Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeria-based architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist as patrons, this year's event is set to see 100 designers on the runway and over 100 exhibitors spread across Old Truman Brewery’s massive indoor space. Once again, Africa Fashion Week London is set to be the biggest fashion event across Europe showcasing African and African-inspired fashion.

    

Africa Fashion Week London 2013 is also accepting applications from designers who wish to showcase on the runway and/or exhibit their merchandise over the three-day exhibition.  To participate in AFWL 2013 as a designer or support the event as a sponsor, please emailinfo@africafashionweeklondonuk.com

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