By Yemisi Suleiman

The fourth edition of the Fashion Art Fusion Runway Show held penultimate Sunday to rave reviews, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. The runway event designed to showcase African art and culture, created by local top and upcoming designers featured collections by Nigeria’s international designers, Luzol, Ejiro Amos Tafiri,  Ayo Van Elmar, Lapparella Signature, young graduate designers, JKC, amongst others. On display were outstanding western-inspired styles all made with African fabrics; the Ankara, Aso -Oke, Adire, Kente, the Benue traditional fabric, and more. It also featured alternative music, spoken word, and dance by a cultural troupe, including the famous Ijodi.

This year’s edition themed ‘’Wear Nigeria’  was aimed at promoting the Nigerian fabric or textile tradition, as well as the need to use, and patronise all other made in Nigeria products.  It was supported by the Federal Government, in furtherance of its diversification policy, through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture. For Austin Aimakhu, Organiser of the Fashion Art Fusion and creative head of Luzol, the mission is to bring to the fore the Afrocentric creativity of top designers and artists on a global stage, therefore driving growth within the sector.

As part of its CSR, Aimakhu explains that the event supports different medical NGOs every year and this year it was cerebral palsy “the idea is to bring the challenges they face to the fore through fashion, art fusion and get companies and individuals to support them.”

The well-attended event was graced by top personalities in government, Nollywood celebrities as well as royal fathers, including, Ooni of Ife, who was the royal father of the day, represented by his Royal Majesty, Awosunle Babatunde Tokunbo, Elejesi of Ife kingdom.