By Yemisi Suleiman

The much anticipated Africa Fashion Week Nigeria  (AFWN) 2017,  kicks off today at the National Arts Theater Lagos Nigeria.

It will hold for two days beginning from today 3rd to tomorrow June 4th, and be filled with exclusive and exciting African showcase, with 56 designers and 40 exhibitors selected from various parts of Nigeria and the African continent.

They are set to celebrate and showcase creativity on a platform that turns creativity into sustainability.

After 3 successful years at the Eko Hotel, AFW Nigeria moved its venue to the National Theater,  in a bid to continue to promote and showcase the African culture and heritage to a global audience.

According to Ronke Ademiluyi (founder AFWN), the 4th edition of the AFWN holding at Nigeria’s iconic National Arts Theatre Lagos, where Africa’s culture was showcased in all its grandeur and splendor 40 years ago, when Nigeria hosted the world at the African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77), is in staying true to the African heritage.

She stated further that the long term growth of the fashion industry is grounded in developing initiatives to ensure that Nigeria remains the in the forefront of creativity, Centre of fashion, style and innovation, which is why the best of Africa’s emerging and established fashion talents will be showcasing at this historic monument to reflect the dynamism of African fashion and our roots.

Some of the designers showcasing include Modella, Kola Kuddus, Maufechi, Regalia by FAL, Blingshiki, Zizi Cardow, Marobuk, Tash by Tasha, Linda Ngwi (Cameroun) Sally Bawa, Alex Akande (Cameroon), Afrikawala (Zambia), Del Africa (Jos), and Eve Design (Senegal).

For this edition AFWN selected fast rising 53 extra presenter, Amira Ibrahim Alfa, as the face of AFWN 2017 and she will be co-hosting the Red Carpet with ‘Derenle Edun of Lip Sync South Africa.

Royal Fathers expected to grace the event include HIM, The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, AFWN
Grand Patron, AFWN Chairman HRM Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi .
Other dignitaries expected to attend include Princess Abiola Dosunmu, Erelu of Lagos, The speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honorable Funmi Tejuoso, Acting Commissioner for Transport Lagos State, members of the diplomatic corps, The Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Executive Management Bank of Industry.