The first day back at school went by without a hitch despite the torrential rain, and I ended up an absolute wreck the day before. The madam and I realised that she did not have a suitable rucksack, and the store I would have run to had closed down behind my back! There was an ensuing mad dash to Lekki and the school kit shop where I found myself in the company of several other parents in a similar predicament. Well, all’s well that ends well. A new phase begins!

This is Oddbod and the City – My Lagos Adventur.

DFA launch

Last week Tuesday, I honoured a mysterious invitation to an event at the Sky Lounge at the Eko Hotel and Suites.
We were invited to come dressed for the cameras, to attend the biggest fashion unveil of the year over canapés and cocktails. I would usually be all shades of suspicious at the deliberate vagueness of the invitation, my first-class investigative skills (gained from the prestigious school of the Law and Order series), unearthed no further information. The location was a winner, so I slipped on my high heels and made my way down there to get the gist.
And, was it worth it! It was the unveiling of Design Fashion Africa’s (DFA) maiden edition.
With a mission statement “to change the future of fashion design in Africa”, DFA plans to highlight and nurture the best of African fashion and broadcast it to the world. Successful applicants will receive training opportunities and conferences to fill the knowledge gaps on how to run a successful business, while attending fashion boot camps with a televised competition, fashion shows and an accompanying marketplace, where guests can buy clothes and accessories.
I support everything this initiative stands for, up-and-coming fashion designers and all the peripheral supporting cast members such as models, makeup artists and hairstylists need as much support as possible, to actually have a successful and lucrative career in their chosen profession. When it comes to the fashion industry, there is more than enough room for more platforms to display talent and take Africa to the world.
This project is a bold undertaking and I wish them all the luck.

The boot camp is expected to open on the 3rd of October.

It’s the fashion week month

New York Fashion week marks the beginning of the month of fashion week. I don’t know how I used to keep up before the dawn of Instagram, I spend hours every day being inspired and learning new things.
I followed the exploits of NYFW through the feeds of some of my favourite accounts, Eva Chen, Susie Bubble and WhoWhatWear.
Who needs to stay up and live stream the shows? Catch them on Instagram stories with the front row views, edited picks and behind the scenes access to the after parties.
As expected, the shows in New York were packed with socially conscious commentary (Gurung dressed models in a sash that asked “Who gets to be an American”) and the runway models are as diverse as they will come in terms of body positivity, diversity and non-traditional models.

I waited with bated breath to catch Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show. I am going to have to exercise patience because our fearless leader saw fit to confiscate all phones! So no sneak peeks. We are going to have to wait till September 20th when the show will air on Amazon Prime. The spectacle has been likened to a live video shoot with performances from the likes of Big Sean, Migos, Fat Joe and DJ Khalid. A dance performance led by Normani, Laverne Cox strutting the stage along with people of all shapes and sizes, skin tone, genders and abilities.
At this point the Victoria Secret executives will be weeping quietly into their tissues at the funeral of their once epic brand.
What Spring/Summer 2020 looks should I be looking forward to? Statement shoulders inspired by Michael Kors, textured broderie anglaise items as inspired by Zimmerman, and huge taffeta skirts as seen at Christian Siriano.
As usual, I will be waiting on good old Zara to make a version I can afford and failing that … We all live here in Nigeria; I don’t have to spell it out.

For further information about my adventures check out my Instagram, @le_Oddbod.