The Design Fashion Africa (DFA) initiative was on Tuesday launched in Lagos, amidst search for next best fashion designers in the continent.
The event, held at Eko Hotel & Suites, had in attendance top fashion designers and celebrities from across the continent including Idia Aisien, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Mai Atafo.
Also in attendance were fashion enthusiasts, designers, stylists and media personalities like Akin Faminu, Felix King, Fola Francis, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Latasha Ngwube, Mary Edoro, Deola Adebiyi, Valerie Ike, Oroma Rukevwe, Bolaji Ayinde, Angel Obasi, Edwin Okolo, Tejiri Okotie, Yemi Amusan and Baaqi amongst others.
The DFA initiative, which is set to change the future of fashion design in Africa, is hunting for someone who could become the next best fashion designer to come out of Africa.
Speaking at the launch, Idia Aisien, the spokesperson for the DFA project, said the initiative, which is its maiden edition, seeks to discover, inspire and empower existing and upcoming designers to commercialize their talents.
“Every corner you look to, there’s either a budding model or someone who is so invested in bringing the stylish design ideas they have to life, and we need to give them a chance,” she said.
She added: “We want the message to go as far as possible, and reach everyone interested in fashion so we can expose the very best designers to the rest of the world.”
Also commenting on the Design Fashion Africa, world-renowned fashion designer and a Fashion Resource Person on the project, Mai Atafo said: “I’m so excited to be a part of this initiative as it is on the right path to changing the future of fashion design in Africa.
“We want to, with DFA, discover, inspire and empower young budding talents in fashion and also give them a platform to showcase and sell their wares.
“Opportunities like this don’t come every day in the fashion industry and I’m happy I get to work with the guys at Jakaranda and Oracle to pull this off.”
Aisien further noted that there are three stages involved in the initiative, namely: an online fashion challenge, a fashion training academy and a runway fashion show where finalists will be exhibiting their work to the public.
There are also plans for a marketplace where fashion lovers can pick up accessories and outfits that they fall in love with, she explained.
Applications for the online fashion challenge are expected to begin fully in the coming days and run until the end of September, after which finalists for the fashion academy will be announced.
However, the boot camp is expected to open on October 3, alongside the marketplace.
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