 Lagos-based fashion label House of Jola by designer Joan Isisoma Okorodudu will present its latest vibrant collection at Couture Fashion Week, 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the world-famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on New York's legendary Park Avenue. Part of a collective of outstanding Nigerian designers, the show promises to be a festive and memorable event.
Fashion designer, entrepreneur and former championship athlete Joan Isisoma Okorodudu was born into a noble family in the Aniocha North region of Delta State, Nigeria. She graduated from Boston University in the United States where she set various records in track and field and was named MVP in 1980. Her athletic accomplishments include being part of the record-breaking 4 by 400 meter Nigerian women's relay team at the 1980 pre-Olympics in Stuttgart, Germany.
Ms. Okorodudu went on to pursue her fashion career, opening her own boutique in Wilmington, Delaware. Since relocating back to Nigeria, her prestigious label, House of Jola, has participated in numerous fashion events including South Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria Fashion Week and Washington D.C. Fashion Week.
"We are delighted to be collaborating with Ms. Okorodudu who has worked tirelessly to bring a delegation of top Nigerian
designers, models, press and celebrities to Couture Fashion Week this season," says event producer Andres Aquino. "Her efforts have helped bring additional and well-deserved recognition from New York and USA audiences to these talented individuals."
Joan Okorodudu has become an African fashion icon and has been interviewed by top international media such as Reuters, Associated Press and Der Spiegel, one of Europe's largest publications. She is the founder of Lagos Ageless Clinique as well as the very popular TV show Nigeria's Next Supermodel which has launched the careers of many successful models including Isi Atagamen, Amaka Chirah and Bunmi Ademokoya, who went on to win Best Model of the World 2007 in Istanbul. Models from Ms. Okorodudu's highly successful Isis Modeling Agency (Lagos/Johannesburg) have graced top runways from Johannesburg to Paris, from Sanlam to New York, and several of her models participated in last season's Couture Fashion Week New York. Ms. Okorodudu is also the CEO of International Business Consortium Nigeria Ltd.
Couture Fashion Week is a multi-day event showcasing couture and luxury fashion. It also includes exhibits of luxury brands and fine art as well as world-class entertainment and receptions. The event is held in top venues in New York City, Dallas, Palm Beach, Florida and other selected cities and is attended by upscale consumers, invited VIPs, the press and high-end store buyers. Couture Fashion Week offers unique branding opportunities for luxury products and services. |