#HeinekenLFDW: 16 Fashion Focus Finalists Emerge

After regionals in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos, Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week presents the top 16 Fashion Focus finalists.

LFDW Fashion Focus offers fashion designers opportunities to be participants at targeted workshops and networking sessions between 2015 and 2016. They will also have a chance to exhibit their collection in front of a select audience at Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design Week taking place from the 28th to the 31st of October 2015.

16 participants; Ibrahim Aminu, Uchechi Arinze, Chukwuma Ekwerike, Victoria Ogwanighie , Ify Onyido, Chioma Igbokwe,  Lovelyn Ita,  Chinenyenwa Ekejiuba, Emmanuel Weje, Tawo “Papa” Omisore , Deji Eniola, Chikezie Daniel , Nura Ikhalea , Wager Ayu, Oisetohanmen Isinugben, and Johnson Iyaye  were selected out of over one hundred competitive applications by the LFDW Fashion Focus judges; Zara Okpara (PR Executive, Jewel by Lisa), Godson Ukeagbu(Editor, Mania Magazine), Wadami Amolegbe (Creative Director, Fashion Focus), Akpos Okudu (Designer), Ogwa Iweze (Designer, Dyzn), Oyinkansola Momoh (Project Manager, Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week), Jennifer Onochie (Program Manager, Arts & Creative Industries of British Council Nigeria), Mobolaji Sadare (Buyer, Grey Velvet, Nigeria) & Amaka Osakwe (Designer, Maki Oh).

As part of phase-one activations, Fashion Focus will host a comprehensive 3-Day workshop titled, ‘Fashion DNA: Image-Makers’. This workshop will run from the 20th to the 22nd of October 2015 for the 16 designers in partnership with various institutions and prestigious industry leaders from Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Facilitators include Photographers; Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Lakin Ogunbanwo, Nina Manandhar, Darren Black and Stylists; Rebekah Roy, Dimeji Alara, Tokyo James and Carri Munden.


Speaking on Fashion Focus,  Wadami Amolegbe   – Creative Director, LFDW Fashion Focus said, “The  Fashion Focus initiative aims to support the professional development of emerging creative talent in Nigeria. Through the workshops, the top 16 finalists will gain hands on experience working with industry experts from Nigeria and the U.K, which they can apply to grow their respective brands”.

This year, Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design week introduces the Award for ‘Outstanding Emerging Designer of the Year ’ (Fashion & Retail) reserved for a Fashion Focus Alumni who is performing remarkably in the Fashion & Retail sector. The 2015 recipient of this award will be announced during Fashion Week.

Fashion Focus is a collaboration between Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week and British Council that’s supported by Fashion School, Istituto Marangoni and Grey Velvet Nigeria.