Arise Fashion Week, produced by Nigeria’s ThisDay Newspaper, is synonymous with glam and glitz, and the ability to get the global fashion industry to take notice of leading contemporary African designers globally. Its 2019 event was no exception. After a long hiatus and resumption of the prestigious fashion event last year, producers returned to Lagos in late April to dial things.
The 2019 event featured over 37 African designers and several supermodels of African heritage from across the globe, including Liya Kebede, and Oluchi Orlandi. The event also showcased Nigerian/Afrobeats music super stars Wizkid and Wande Coal.
The 2019 edition, however, wasn’t all about the glam. Organizers brought the business side of fashion with the launch of retail pop up shops to engage consumers, and educational seminars titled ‘Arise Talks’ to educate industry professionals. The seminars included topics such as ‘The Essence of Design and Textiles,‘ moderated by Olivia Singer of Vogue, USA, ‘Business of Fashion,’ moderated by People Magazine’s Lola Ogunnaike and ‘From Retail to Export’ moderated by Segun Awolowo, CEO of the National Export Promotion Council.’
What was also hard to miss was the prominent role British-Jamaican Supermodel Naomi Campbell played on the global stage as a brand ambassador for the event, and advocate for African designers and their creativity.
Watch the recap of the event held April 19-22nd, 2019 below:
Photo: Models backstage wearing SA designer Rich Mnisi
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
