The Guardian newspaper, UK.
With 77 designers, over 50 models and in excess of 50,000 attendees, including international press and buyers, ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK 2012 (AMFW) concluded its second annual fashion week in spectacular style on Sunday night (March 11 2012), on the grounds of the 5-Star Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria.
A standing ovation greeted the British designer Ozwald Boateng as he brought the Fashion Week to its close with his signature presentation of bespoke suits.
After completing a marathon of back-to-back catwalk shows, AMFW‘s finale included the much-anticipated ARISE MAGAZINE FASHION WEEK AWARDS 2012. Supermodel Alek Wek presented 13 of the 77 participating designers with Lalique and Moët & Chandon awards.
The winners include:
Models of Year – Dudley OʼShaughnessy (Male) and Geordie (Female)
Style Icon of the Year – Oluchi
Menswear Designer of the Year – PETROU/Man (US/Europe)
Womenswear Designer of the Year – Tsemaye Binitie (UK/Nigeria)
Fashion Brand of the Year – Temple Muse
Best Innovative Designer – David David (UK) and Odio Mimonet (Nigeria)
Emerging Designer of the Year – Loza Maléombho (US/Côte dʼlvoire)
Young Designer of the Year – Laquan Smith (US)
Major honours went to Ozwald Boateng (UK) for the Lifetime Achievement Award, whilst South African designer Klûk CGDT and Nigerian designer Maki Oh were joint winners in the Designer of The Year Award category.
The organisers also revealed its FIVE designers who will showcase for ARISE during its annual gala extravaganza this September at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 2012. They are: Ozwald Boateng, Gavin Rajah, Maki Oh, Tiffany Amber and Tsemaye Binitie.
In addition, ARISE also announced five models – Alvin, Sebastian, Oluwatoyin, Anthony (female) and Amade will also be joining the designers in New York.
“We already have London, New York, Paris and Milan fashion weeks, our AMFW event in Lagos completes the international global fashion week season”, says the event organisers.
Chairman/CEO of ThisDay newspaper and founder of ARISE Magazine Nduka Obaigbena concludes, “The time is right for Lagos to become the fifth destination for fashion week.”
ARISE Magazine launched in 2008 and is Africaʼs first global style and culture title. Details can be found at: www.ariselive.com
On the 8th of March 2011, ARISE Magazine hosted its inaugural show in Lagos, where it invited over 50 designers to participate at the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel, Nigeria.
ARISE Magazine Fashion Week 2012 was sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, and was supported by Belvedere Vodka, Moët & Chandon and House of Tara.