Nigerian fashion industry gaining strong global foothold

29 Aug '13

2 min read

With Nigerian fashion designers making a space for themselves in global fashion arena and also bringing international fashion home, Nigerian fashion industry is no longer recognized as an amateur industry, confined to local limits.

Alongside home, Nigerian fashion is also paving its way in global fashion destinations like Paris, London, New York and Milan through ramp appearances.

To cite some examples, several Nigerian designers and labels showed at the recently concluded African Fashion Week London (AFWL). Nigerian designer label for women, House of Moofa, showcased its collection including trans-seasonal, timeless and functional pieces with bold, contemporary and edgy twists for women to wear during work as well as leisure time. Even New York’s fashion show now has an 'African Icons' tent to showcase latest trends of the continent.

At home front, Nigeria now each year hosts events like Nigeria Fashion Week and Lagos Fashion & Design Week, which draw participation of several national and international designers and visitors from Europe, Australia, the US and China.

In recent times, several international celebrities have been spotted dressed in outfits prepared by Nigerian designers, which accentuates rising influence of Nigerian fashion, globally. Singers Beyonce and Rhianna, Hollywood actress Kerry Washington, and the U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama are some of the celebrities who have been spotted wearing apparels designed by Nigerian designers.

While eyeing global recognition, Nigerian designers are not simply following or imitating the global trends or styles, and some of the Nigerian fashion brands are sticking to Nigerian culture and trying to promote local fabrics like Ankara, which has gained good popularity worldwide since it appeared on the ramps during New York Fashion Week and other fashion events worldwide.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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