By Yemisi Suleiman

Mrs Oludolapo Osinbajo who was Special Guest of Honour at this year’s event, commended organisers of the Africa Fashion Week London, for providing a platform for young designers to excel. Mrs Osinbajo, who is the creator of the Step Up Designs, a charity organization created to empower young men and women in bag making, also gave a brief insight into the program.

“At Step Up, we do not only train, we also expose our granduands to the fashion world. Step Up has participated in some exhibitions like the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria in July 2016 and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and ITC SheTrades roundtable and exhibition in Abuja, also in July 2016, and we are still going further.” she said.
The show featured Step Up Designs by trainees of the Step Up program, who displayed their creativity on the runway in various finely crafted handbags.The day’s collection was full of sex appeal from Soboye, structured pieces by Lady Biba, sheer by Tina Lobondi Signature Secret, Victorian era suits by Ceasers amongst others.
This year’s show was closed by lead designer, Hassan who featured a collection of a shimmering designs that was both flirty and fun.

From-left: A guest, founder of Africa Fashion Week London Ronke Ademiluyi, wife of the vice president of Nigeria Mrs Oludolapo Osibajo and Ogun State first lady Mrs Olufunsho Amosun.

 Mrs Osibajo

Mrs Osibajo giving her speech

Graduates of the Step Up program showcasing collection