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The much anticipated African edition of the Africa Fashion Reception was hosted from 3rd – 5th July, 2014 by the government of Nigeria. It was held in Yenagoa, the oil rich capital of Bayelsa state. The event was put together by Legendary Gold Limited in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Tourism, Culture & National orientation, the World Fashion Week and the African Union.
The event kicked off on the 3rd of July with an opening ceremony hosted by the Executive Governor of Bayelsa state, Hon Seriake Dickson. The honorable Minister of Tourism & Culture Chief Edem Duke was the Co-host. He also represented the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, who was expected to declare the event open.
The Africa Fashion Reception continued on the 4th and had an elaborate gala dinner on the 5th which was the last day of the event.
Africa’s leading designers who were nominated to represent their countries showed their collection throughout the 3 days. 25 designers representing 25 countries participated. Some of them includes Lisete – Angola, Botocy – Botswana, Chrystalix – Cameroun, Ecriture – Congo, Akou – Cote D’Ivoire, Nesma Helmy – Egypt, Hall of Peters – Ghana, Alphao fashion – Guinea, Darkaoui – Morocco, Amakeya design – Namibia, Zizi Cardow – Nigeria, Inco – Rwanda, Diarra Bousso – Senegal, Keepeekee – Sierra Leone, Diana Magesa – Tanzania, Kil fashion – Togo, Rumbie by Rumbie – Zimbabwe, House of Jose – Uganda etc
Some guests present included Paco De Jaimes, President of the World Fashion Week, Margaret Farrell, international fashion consultant representing most of the big buying chains around the world, Piercarlo Boegogelli, representative of Italian top buying group, Camera Moda Buyer, Angela Martins who represented the Chairperson of the African Union etc.
In her address, Angela Martins expressed the African Union’s strong belief on the goals and objectives of the Africa Fashion Reception. This includes
• To build bridges by creating free trade and partnerships among fashion practitioners throughout the African continent.
• To attract global attention to Africa’s very rich and diversified dress culture which can be explored as a catalyst for the social economic growth of the continent’s garment/textile industry.
• To expand the potential power of fashion as a tool of fighting poverty in Africa by creating wealth through the empowerment of women and youths in the various fashion vocations through training, capacity building schemes, workshops and setting up of medium/small scale businesses thereby supporting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
http://youtu.be/jejYJ7-TNCY
In his short address, the Chief Executive Officer of the AFR and President of Legendary Gold Limited, Lexy Mojo-Eyes reiterated the need for Africa to take its rightful place in the global fashion industry as this will attract lots of foreign exchange to our continent. It will create lots of jobs and alleviate poverty. This is Africa’s time. ‘Africa is the new inspiration of global fashion’ he concluded.
The hosting by Nigeria of the Africa Fashion Reception was coordinated by Branzuk Gold Limited who got the 2014 rights of the event in Nigeria. Partners includes World Fashion Organization, World Fashion Week, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation, Bayelsa state government, AIT, Ovation International, Soundcity, GoTv, Amina, Forbes Afrique, Ubiz News etc
The event moves to Paris in October and Montreal the first quarter of 2015 where it will be presenting top nominated designers from over 40 African countries.
