From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
The delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has concluded plans to host the maiden edition of the Afro-Euro runway, a fashion competition.
The event which is being organised in collaboration with some EU member states in Nigeria and the Fashion Academy, Abuja, will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on June 16, 2023. The show, according to the EU, aims at harnessing the vast potentials of Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry to drive skills development, youth employment and economic prosperity. Seven contestants, who met the pre-selection criteria out of a pool 124 designers who applied for the competition, will showcase their brands at the events.
The overall winner of the competition will have the oppourtunity to participate in the Madrid Mercedes Benz Fashion Week; the first runner-up will participate in the Dakar (Senegal) Fashion Week, while the second and third runners up will receive fashion-designing equipment. All contestants will be sponsored to attend a business management training.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, said the show would celebrate the EU’s partnership with Nigeria, which is increasingly focussing attention on the youth, innovation and skills.
“The competition offers an excellent platform for fashion designers to display their collections, promote their brands, network with industry professionals, add value to their brands, connect with fashion enthusiasts across the world, and access regional and international markets,” Isopi said.
Isopi further said that participating in the show would be a game changer form the selected designers, with multiplier impact on the Nigeria’s growing industry.
Isopi added that the competition resonates with the EU’s theme for 2023, which has been designated European Year of Skills.
Describing talents as Nigeria’s biggest assets, Isopi said the theme is increasingly reflected in the EU’s programs with Nigeria, including smart agriculture, skill development to increase youth employability and education.
“Fashion is a great Ambassador of European values such as culture, creativity innovation and craftsmanship. This is true also for Nigeria. I am impressed by the creativity, innovation and energy of Nigerian fashion. So, fashion tells who we are and more importantly, it connects people and cultures. The Afro-Euro Runway Competition embodies this spirit of dialogue and collaboration between European creative industries and fashion and Nigerian creative sectors,” Isopi stated.
Present at the event were the Chief Executive Officer, the Fashion Academy, Abuja, Nina Kwande; renowned Italian-Nigeria designer, Paolo Sisiano, celebrity influencer and EU brand Ambassador, Enioluwa Adeoluwa.