With a successful outing at the maiden edition of Design Fashion Africa (DFA) held recently in Lagos, the organisers of the event have revealed that the event was held to empower aspiring fashion designers.

L-R: Mr. Olaoluwa Babalola, Brand Manager- Heineken, Dr. Felix King, chief Executive Officer, Oracle Experience- Co-promoted of DFA, Abubakar Jubril, winner 2019 DFA grand prize and Mai Atafo, renowned fashion designer at the presentation of Design Fashion Africa prize to the winner at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos.

Updating journalists recently in Ikeja Lagos, Felix King, CEO Oracle Experience and Project Co-promoter of Design Fashion Africa, noted that the objective of the platform is basically to empower young designers.

Models walking with African designers designs at the DFA runway at Eko Hotel Victoria Island Lagos

“We discovered that most of the fashion shows and platforms only give room for well established designers which makes it really difficult for upcoming designers to breakthrough. So what we did was create a platform that will not just empower young designers but also transform their craft immensely by providing them with the opportunity to be mentored by established designers as well as share same stage with them,” he said.

Models walking the runway at Design Fashion Africa at Eko Hotel Victoria Lagos

Adding, “That way we build a synergy between the upcoming and established, so that the industry will become very vibrant.”

The event which focuses on discovering and harnessing young talents in the fashion industry offers a massive platform for upcoming designers to groom their craft and launch out to the world. It was opened to young designers all over the country.

Aspiring designers who entered for the competition were auditioned and the best ten were selected camped for two weeks. Within these two weeks they were mentored and groomed by veteran designers on how to develop their skills, how to source for fabrics, how to price, sell their finished works and manage their business.

Designers across Africa walking the runway with 54 African countries flags at DFA runway at Eko Hotel Victoria Island Lagos.

The participants were given tasks and after each tasks two participants were evicted. The process continued with successful participants moving to the next stage till three finalists emerged, with Abubakar Jubril eventually emerging winner .

By Yemisi Suleiman