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Omoyemi Akerele returns with Lagos Fashion and Design Week ‘God has sustained the show’

Following a successful debut in 2011, MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) has returned. It’s scheduled for October 24 to 27, 2012, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The creative director of Stylehouse files, house is the producer of the one week long fashion show, Omoyemi Akerele reveals to ENCOMIUM Weekly the pains and gains of hosting the world class show which parades many established and up and coming designer. “Our goal for LFDW 2012 is primarily to make an impact in the Nigeria fashion industry beyond the runway.”   

The show backed by MTN, British Council, Research for Motion (RIM) and others will host series of awards namely young designer of the year which was N4 million has the winning prize. The person that goes home with the entrepreneur of the year will get N2 million while mode of the year winner will smile home with N1 million. Mrs. Omoyemi Akerele spoke on the show…

 

What do you think will change about the fashion show this year?

We are bringing a better experience this year that the entire Nigerian fashion industry will benefit from. We are working with a better experienced team and participants.

What lessons did you learn from last year’s edition?

You know how it is staging such a big show and where fashion is a big business, so we have learnt a lot in terms of human management but we are hoping this year will be better. We will be able to work and understand our objectives.

Are you happy about how the whole show went last year?

Yes, we are happy because we believe in what we are doing, we had the top-notchers in the fashion industry in attendance.

If you will want to list the achievement of last year’s show, what will that be?

It’s the fact that we are committed of uplifting the fashion industry to world standard and understanding that we are limited in our ability and realizing our weaknesses we decided to take the buyers to where the designers are and we are succeeded in doing that. Not just the runway show, one thing that is important is the buyer and we are creating opportunity for them to interact with the stakeholders in the industry.

Many people say last year’s show cost a lot of money, how much will the budget be this year?

My lips are sealed. I just want to say a big thank you to our title sponsor, MTN, our official technology partner, and we look forward to more support. It is a huge expenditure that cannot be taken by one company. It requires the support of many companies.

What will you say gives you the strength to continue with the show?

My strength comes from God, everyone relies on something. I rely on my family. My husband has been a tremendous support, my family as well, my parents, the children, the support of the industry is what I enjoy. A person can have a vision but the people you work with matters.

Out of love for the vision I have enjoyed tremendous support and I am proud. We hope to communicate the world that the vision is for Nigeria. It is proudly Nigeria.

Like how many designers this year?

We believe we can make a stronger impact if we don’t make it too large, so we are keeping it to 25 to 30 designers.

  • This story was first published in ENCOMIUM Weekly on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
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