By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
All is now set for the maiden edition of the Afro-Euro Runway, a fashion competition organised by the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria, in collaboration with some EU Member States in Nigeria and the Fashion Academy, Abuja.
The event will hold at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The show which aims at harnessing the vast potentials of Nigeria’s vibrant fashion industry to drive skills development, youth employment and economic prosperity offers an excellent platform for fashion designers to display their collections, promote their brands, network with industry professionals, add value to their brands, connect with fashion enthusiasts across the world, and access regional and international markets.
At a media briefing in Abuja, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Samuela Isopi, said the show would celebrate the EU’s partnership with Nigeria, which is increasingly focussing attention on the youth, innovation and skills.
She said the competition resonates with the European Union’s theme for 2023, which has been designated European Year of Skills and participating in the show would be a game changer for the selected designers, with multiplier impact on Nigeria’s growing industry.
Describing talents as Nigeria’s biggest assets, she said the theme is increasingly reflected in the EU’s programs with Nigeria, including smart agriculture, skill development to increase youth employability and education.
To contest in the finals are seven contestants, who met the pre-selection criteria out of a pool 124 designers who applied for the competition, and will showcase their brands at the event.
Ambassador Isopi was joined at the event by the CEO of The Fashion Academy, Abuja, Nina Kwande, renowned Italian-Nigeria designer, Paolo Sisiano, celebrity influencer and EU brand Ambassador, Enioluwa Adeoluwa.
