Joan Okorodudu writes about ECOWAS Fashion Week in Vogue Italia

The maiden edition of ECOWAS Fashion Week started with a "Business of Fashion" symposium at Oriental Hotels which had the likes of Tewa Onasanya, Jennifer Tabi, Hakeem Salaam, Amuche Elumelu, Bayo Haastrup and Aju Elumelu speaking on sundry issues that affect the fashion inudstry and how to tackle seething challenges.

The seminar ran concurrently with an exhibition organized by "Beauty and the Feast" (an initiative of Moriam Musa) and it was shopping galore as people trooped in their droves to buy style staples and fashion paraphernalia.

With a massive opening, the second day of fashion week was the show proper, where designers like A'FAM, Vicky Heldan, Lines by Charb, JSW (finalist of NNSM 2011), Mademoiselle Aglaia, EVE 2000, Hollerose, House of Domina, Kola Kuddus, Zizi Cardow, Charles Anthony, Sally Intiego, Eve and Tribe to name but a few.

The mammoth attendance on the third day of the event was an eloquent pointer that the show has gathered organizers put in a lot to make the show a resounding success. From the calibre of guests to the artists, sponsors and designers. The highpoint of the show was when the models for J.P Kingdom took to runway, leaving an unmistakable message that they too could rock the ramps irrespective of their size. Sally Bawa Lagos, Hse of Nwocha, Fashion For Life, J Reason, Grace Wallace, Wendy, Trish O. Couture, O.M.A Designs, Anjoreen, OUCH, Fashion For Life, and King Hakbal all made their respective marks showcasing credibly appealing pieces devoid of kitschy touches.

It was a show that ended with attendees buying off pieces from the racks. The Gala night ended with Lifetime Achievement Awards for Philanthropy which recipients include: Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, Senator Ita Giwa (Mama Bakassi) collected by Queen Aneva and posthumous Lifetime Achievement Awards went to late Kofi Ansah, However, the beautiful city of Accra is host for the second edition of Ecowas fashion week. Ecowas fashion week is the brainchild of Mrs Joan Okorodudu the originator of Africa's biggest owned model search Nigeria's next super model a proudly Nigerian brand.

Also watch out for Africa International Fashion Week slated for Nov 13th to 16th.

Text by Joan Okorodudu
Project director Mary Jane Elumelu James
Producer Bayo Haastrup
 Stylist Cornel Mc Essien
Make Up Tracy Iyoha
Photos by Hakeem Salaam

Joan Okorodudu for Vogue Italia