The Jewel city of Dubai was moved to its core as it witnessed in full force the fabulousness of Nigerian Fashion and Music at the just concluded Arise fashion week (AFW). The show, which took place at the Armani Hotel located at the Burj Khalifa, was in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to celebrate Nigeria Day at the Dubai Expo Centre.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Minister Otunba Niyi Adebayo in his opening speech, described the show as the first of its kind in Dubai and commended the organisers of AFW led by the founder Nduka Obaigbena for showcasing Nigeria’s fashion and music talents to the world.
Also present at the event was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who spoke about the work and resources the Banker’s committee has put into the renovation of the National Theatre in Lagos, where he hopes the next AFW will take place, stressing that over USD5 billion had been disbursed to support the creative industry initiatives in fashion, film, music and television.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell opened the show in a stunning blue outfit from modern conservative women fashion brand Hudayya and graced the catwalk in various other outfits from participating designers; Lisa Folawiyo, Banke Kuku and Kenneth Ize. other designers at the show were Odion Mimonet, Lanre Dasilva-Ajayi, Onalaja and Ziva Lagos.
The event saw the launch of ARISEPlay, the streaming platform from THISDAY/ARISE Media Group dedicated to showing the best of African and African descent entertainment to the world. Music crooner and entertainer D’banj the Koko master and Senegalese American singer Akon gave rousing performances between and at the end of the show to the delight of all those who attended.
