By Stellamaries Amuwa
Miss Oyindamola Aleshinloye, with the brand name Kadiju, has emerged winner at the maidan edition of the European Union (EU), 2023 Europe Day Afro-Euro Runway fashion show.
She came tops by applying the five components of the theme of the competition, which are Interpretation of Afro-Euro fusion,
Presentation, Cohesiveness, Creativity, Execution, and Story-telling.
The Afro-Euro fashion runway show initially had about 124 designers who sent in their designs and after the preliminary stages, seven finalists were selected and qualified to participate in the Runway show, at the end of which four emerged winners.
The top four winners are Aleshinloye, brand name Kadiju 1st; Samira Mohammed, brand name Sultana 2nd; Oluchi George, brand name Malite 3rd and Happiness Miwori, brand name Jasmineafrik 4th position.
According to Aleshinloye, it was a golden opportunity and amazing for her as a young designer to be recognised at the Afro-Euro Runway show.
She said, “We have only been launched and operational for less than two years. It’s the hardwork we invested in our brand that made us to be recognised in Nigeria on such a platform. The intentionality and understanding of our brand message and the story-telling that we projected with our designs are clear and they stood out. It’s amazing that collaboration such as this one exists where it opens up not only opportunities in Nigeria but partnerships outside of Nigeria as well.
Similarly, the first runner-up, Mohammed who has the brand name Sultana stated that her recognition was a validation because she had always challenged herself since the time she decided to take on fashion.
“For me this just validates it more, and I have always known that this is my part. Now getting the acknowledgement is a plus for me and it will encourage me to do more and better next time.
“I want to put Arewa (Northern Nigeria) on the map in the fashion world. If am able to represent where I come from, that will be the greatest accomplishment and I can’t wait to do that.”
George with brand name Malite, who is new in the runway emerged 2nd runner-up, was proud of what she showcased at the event.
“Honestly, I see a brighter future in the fashion industry for me and my brand, Malite. I am very thankful to the EU for the wonderful opportunity it presented to young people in Nigeria,” she said.
Earlier, the EU Ambassador Ms Samuela Isopi, noted that fashion is the culture and innovation is needed in the fashion industry meanwhile the Afro-Euro initiative had identified talents.
“2023 is the European year of skills. This will bring about skills and innovation in the fashion industry for young people.”
Adding that the fashion runway showcased both African and European designs which have promoted both continents’ cultural and fashion diversity. She reiterated that ahead of the selection process, 124 young Nigerian designers sent in their designs but seven finalists were eventually selected to participate in the Afro-Euro fashion runway show in Abuja.
Miss Oyindamola, winner of the fashion show will participate in the Madrid Fashion week in September, while the first runner-up will participate in the Dakar Fashion week in December. The 3rd and 4th winners also went home with their respective gifts of professional sewing machine and laptop for fashion designs.
