Sunlight Collaborates with LFW Lagos Fashion Focus Talks 2019

R-L Speakers; Rukky Ladoja , Omoyemi Akerele, Mai Atafo , Sanyade Okoli, Joseph Ike, and Isioma Aihie

This year, as part of Sunlight Nigeria’s women empowerment agenda, Sunlight Nigeria sponsored the Fashion Focus Talks. At the session, Mai Atafo was invited as the Sunlight facilitator for the event which took place at the Alliance Francaise | Mike Adenuga Building Ikoyi, Lagos on the 10th of September 2019.
This year’s theme, #BeyondCreativity, addressed the future of fashion and the need to drive conversations beyond the beauty of craftsmanship and instead evolve and hone-in on how even more value can be created within the ecosystem. Mai Atafo in his discussion stated that “What makes fashion work is when you bring your pieces out and people are able to buy it because it is undeniable quality” he continued by saying going beyond creativity, “You have to understand your customers how they behave and how you can make them keep coming back to your brand”.

 

R-L Rukky Ladoja , Omoyemi Akerele, Mai Atafo , Sanyade Okoli, Joseph Ike, and Isioma Aihie

 Lagos Fashion Week this year hosted a series of curated free talks in four (4) cities across Africa (Kigali, Abuja, Dakar and Lagos) for the Fashion Focus Talks Africa. In a bid to inspire collaboration amongst African creatives to achieve sustainable businesses and a thriving socio-economic industry, four (4) facilitators spoke about how collaboration among creatives can change the narrative about Nigeria. Speaking at the event were; Rukku Ladoja (Creative Director, Grey Project), Mrs Isioma Aihie (CEO, Grey Velvet), Joseph Ike (CEO, JZO), Mai Atafo (Creative Director, Mai Atafo) and Sanyade Okoli (CEO, Alpha African Advisory).

 This year, through the platform that Lagos Fashion Week offers, Sunlight is empowering women to empower others. From now till October 2019, Sunlight is partnering with two more designers, sponsoring a collection to be sold during the LFW 2019.
These designers – Morenikeji Akinsola and Chichi Emordi, train students in different areas of clothes production throughout the year.
The proceeds of the sales at Lagos Fashion Week will be going into their business as a way to further their empowerment agendas.
See images below

Mai Atafo accepting hamper from Team Sunlight

Fashion Focus Audience

Lagos Fashion Week "Between Us" Launch at The Shop at Bluebird London

Ijeoma Ndekwu

2:57 PM (29 minutes ago)

to Somi, bcc: me

On the 2nd of April, 2019 Lagos Fashion Week launched "Between Us" in partnership with The Shop at Bluebird, one of the Lagos Fashion Week Presents: London activities.

"Between Us" welcomed the versatile and effervescent spirits of Africa to the  The Shop at Bluebird's London flagship store with the first multi-brand pop-up since opening the Covent Garden space in May 2018.  "Between Us" honours over twenty unique designers, from womenswear and accessories to interiors and lifestyle, curated by the Founder and Executive Director of Lagos Fashion Week, Omoyemi Akerele and brand consultants Tammy Tinker Pudel and Katrina Macpherson, who are based out of Cape Town. 

Notable guests in attendance at the London launch event included: Malaika Firth, Ciara Charteris, Claire Miles, Omoyemi Akerele, Maja Malnar, Andrea Chong, Hanniel Rupert, Sherrille Riley, & DJ Mayz.  

Three Lagos Fashion Week designers showcased their AW19 collections live at the event ; Iamisigo, Lisa Folawiyo, & Orange Culture. Other participating brands in the pop-up include AAKS, Anyango Mpinga, Aprelle Duany, Ardmore Design, Asha : Eleven, Chommies, Crystal Birch, Eki Orleans, Eclectic Chique, Galago, Karu, Lisa Folawiyo, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Mami Wata, Maxhosa, Nina Bosch, Okapi, Pop Caven, Studio 189 and Tilayo.

Lagos Fashion Week is hosting a series of events this week including Fashion Business Series in London as well as  Fashion Focus Fund Live,  a business plan pitch presentation to determine the recipients of a N10,000,000 (10 Million Naira) grant for Fashion Focus 2017/18 finalists as well as Alumni (female).

The Pop-up at The Shop at Bluebird's Carriage Hall, 29 Floral Street, London, WC2E 9DP will run till May 14th, 2019. 

Lagos Fashion Week Presents: London is in partnership with Style House Files and The Shop at Bluebird. Fashion Focus Fund Live is supported by FETSWallet and Sunlight (Unilever).