By Christy Anyanwu
Fashions Finest Africa Epic Show 2023, which took place at Balmoral Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos was a thrilling experience. The event held 3rd and 4th of June began with an insightful Business of Fashion conference which had in attendance over 150 new and emerging fashion entrepreneurs.
The Conference themed, “Fashion for the Future” featured seasoned serial entrepreneur, Seyi Olubi-Adebayo; panel discussion which centred around the topic “Positioning Your Brand for the Global Market” and had as panelists prominent fashion entrepreneurs like Teni Oluwo, Founder Style Territory, Akin Faminu, Fashion and Lifestyle Content Creator and Bakare Mubarak, cultural ambassador and tallest model in Sub-Saharan Africa. A definite highlight for the conference was the fireside chat with Toyin Lawani, an international fashion stylist and designer. The Design for the Future Competition was another highlight of the two-day event.
The competition started with over 150 entries. The judges whittled it down to 10 finalists, who showcased their amazing designs created from recycled materials in order to promote sustainable fashion. These brands were; Azach, Craftmann Bespoke, Dust of the Earth, JNSPRTN, RVMPD.NG, Mohseems, F.GEE Creative, Dwelling and Estaz. After a keen competition amongst the finalists, Craftsman Bespoke won the competition earning him a prize of N1 million in seed funding for his business over the course of your one year, mentorship opportunity with Sola Oyebade, and access to the FFA Community where he gets exclusive opportunities in the fashion space. It was a truly inspiring and transforming moment.
Fashions Finest Africa CEO, Sola Oyebade, explained the rationale behind doing this show for the past years, stating that many of the designers that are showcased on Epic Show are not given the opportunity to showcase anywhere else. “We consider ourselves as the starting point and ‘spotlighters’, our sole goal is to give young fashion entrepreneurs a fighting chance at least to become successful businesses and that’s what Fashions Finest Africa has always been about since it’s inception in the United Kingdom.”
This year’s show had in attendance over 40 exhibitors and 30 designers. Some of designers were include Kofo’Oba, Vudoh, House of Dof, Diidee Designs all the way from Nasarawa, 4evayoung by Ujuestelo, Dr Legend Clothing, Poshnova, JP Kouture from London and many more. The event, which was in its fifth edition was proudly organized by Fashions Finest Africa, the biggest platform for new and emerging fashion entrepreneurs and supported by Mahogany Productions and Events, First Bank Nigeria Plc, Samee Idowu, X-Pressions, Zaron Cosmetics and Startimes.