Native and Vogue International Fashion Week was birthed by a deep-set passion for fashion. Inspired by a long-term vision for the Fashion Industry in Nigeria and Africa at large, the fashion event combines the creativity of exquisite African inspired designs and eclectic look, with an ethical approach to business, achieving this blend through utilizing resources from its operating environment.
Having identified the high level of poverty and missed opportunities abound in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, The Rivers State Government in conjunction with Allure Magazine has established a platform with a mandate to create awareness on the issues facing the region, create a means of employment for indigenes and simultaneously bring a positive contribution to society, hence the creation of the Native & Vogue International Fashion Week (NVIFW). A registered Fashion event which paraded both upcoming designers and established fashion designers, and the socially driven arm of the brand, focused on empowering and developing communities through fashion projects, vocational competition and training programs, the Initiative seeks to combat poverty and inequality in underdeveloped communities by inspiring and empowering young men and women to believe they can achieve their dream especially in the fashion sector.
The three days event which had the full support of the governor of the state, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and the Commissioner for information and strategy is the very first edition and first of its kind in the region. According to the commissioner for information Mrs Ibim Seminetari who claims the creation of the NVIFW is to achieve vocational educational and training programmes involving fashion and fashion related professionals who can promote specialization in the field and the achievement of international standards that will benefit Nigeria ‘s fashion industry, stimulating growth both at a local and international level and create sustainable development.
This September, was a date that cannot be easily forgotten in the Nigerian fashion sector, when international fashion designers, fashionistas, fashion icons, models and the paparazzi all shifted their focus from the well known Paris fashion show and stormed Portharcourt, the Rivers state capital to witness the glitz and glamour of the world of fashion at the native and Vogue international fashion week.
The event which stood to beat many international fashion shows off their feet had camera on for more than 72 hours, exquisite fashion parade, fashion competition for the up and coming designers among other side attractions were few of what the audience witnessed at the show.
The 3 days event which had our own former miss world, overly gorgeous Agbani Darego as the Hostess and Dayo Dane calling the shot on the expansive blue carpet, started with a fashion show which had designers like, Beelicious, Zhalima couture, Davida, Tejiri and Sunny Rose respectively as the designers of the day 1.
Davida opened the floor of the show on the day 1, and she was a true indigenous designer with her fantastic black and white collections that accentuate a very matured way of combining black and white.
After her, Agbani again came on stage and compelled the audience to take a short break with a light entertainment of cocktail and small chops, which lasted for another 30 minutes.
While the cocktail session was ongoing, the Amiable Governor of the state, Chairman of the Nigeria’s governors forum, Gov, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi strolled into the hall in company of Alabo Raham Douglas, Mr Boma Ozobia, MD of Shell Nigeria, and the commissioner for information and strategy Mrs ibim Seminetari.
The Show 2 kicked off with the welcome address from the commissioner for information, and she declared the show open.
Tejiri came out in its exclusive collections that radiates creativity and the combination of our local fabrics with continental attires.
Prince Alvince was an extra ordinary designer. He was later described by the crowd as a small man with big ideas.
His collections were exclusive, and they could not be copied easily, one of his collections had a black suit that even the governor of the state admired with glee.
After the Display from Prince Alvince, Zhalima, Suny rose and Beelicious also came on the run waqy with their collections and that brought the day 1 event to a close.
The day 2, event had started earlier in the morning, with a well arranged competition between the young and coming designers who were selected after a rigorous selection process.
Here are the Future and the participants of the Young designers fashion competition:
Daniel Ukam, he is a young designer with a deep passion for fashion and rthe Ceo of Delim Designz
Dorris Gam-Dede, a fine and applied art graduate of the UNIPORT. She has a natural flair for fashion and style, and the Ceo of Jazz Effect
Jason Samuel, he is the founder and creative director of Jason Porsche clothing company. His brand is especially characterized by style, class and finishing.
Joe pagatanga, ceo of the award winning life-style driven brand that embraces the finest standards in creativity, his fashion label is called Joe pagatanga Designs
Linda Igwe Ogbonnaya, is the Ceo of Ady by Linda, her love for fashion emanated from her early years of watching her mum sew.
Adubuike Chidiebube, she calls the shot at Joon Clothings, without mincing words, her brand can best be described as pro-Afrocentric.
Promise Okey is the creative director at Promzy collection. And erstwhile model and winner of the raeality TV shown Face of Hope (2012).

By: SUNDAY ADEBAYO