The Heineken Fashion & Design Week Press Release Cocktail was quite the cocktail, with white couches and Heineken umbrellas by the lawn, and ladies and gents sitting playfully, sipping Fayrouz from bottles.
It was a cool atmosphere at Heineken House, with bright lights and jivvy music just at the right volume.
The dj was playing Pharell whom I love, and I eased into my chill. The mood was right.
More people came in, doning cool outfits. Some faces included Mai Atafo, Mr Babs Familusi of FAB magazine, Debola Williams, Denola Grey, Noble Igwe, Adebayo Oke-Lawal, Deola of Omogemura and others.
We ate scrumptious burgers and chicken wings, while we listened to the speakers: Omoyemi Akerele – Founder Style House Files & Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week (#HFLDW), Franco Maria Maggi – Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries, #HLFDW, Imade Eduso – Designer& Fashion Focus Alumni, Morenikeji Akinsola– Project Manager, Human Capital Development Centre and Tobi Idowu – Project Manager, Lagos Fashion and Design Week and Style House Files.
The aims of #HLFDW include providing a platform for the work of talent in the Nigerian fashion industry, capacity building in terms of education and skills training, as well as incubating emerging and established talent in the continent.
This year the theme is tagged ‘Africa, Shaping Fashion’s Future.’ Underlying it would be the role creativity, entrepreneurship, retail and craftsmanship play in bringing this to fruition.
The campaign focused on craftsmanship because it is believed is at the centre of the African fashion narrative. There was therefore the unmasking of unsung heroes among 6 countries who work behind the scenes, weaving into the African fashion narrative our traditional fabrics.
As part of the line up of the events of this fashion week, Runway Shows are to run from the 25th to the 28th of October, Fashion Business Series on the 26th of October and Fashion Focused Talks from the 27th to the 28th of October.
The theme for the Fashion Business Series is ‘Technology and the African Fashion Industry: What Lies Ahead.’
The topics under this include: sustainability, technology, manufacturing and sourcing amongst others, with various speakers, including Cosmas Maduka, Mark Vitan Iterson, Mobolaji Dawodu, Sissi Johnson and More Aderinokun.
There will be the The Experience Tent, with Fashion Focused Talks with influencers and tastemakers, at the bloggers lounge, giving opportunities for bloggers and influencers to connect.
‘Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week is proudly sponsored by Style House Files, Heineken, Maybelline, FETS Wallet, NEPC, and supported by TECNO, Eko Atlantic and Newton & David.
Media Partners: Style Vitae Bella Naija Style, Pulse Nigeria, Konbini, Guardian Life, Business Day and Linda Ikeji TV’
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