Urban rhythms

BY BIMPE ADEBAMBO
LAST Sunday, in the Expo Centre of Oceanview Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos, Vlisco Hollandais Veritable Dutch Wax staged a unique fashion event that will be talked about for a very long time.
Eminent personalities, fashion cognoscenti, glamouristas, actors, musicians, the media and others graced the Vlisco Urban Beat Fashion Event, which showcased the talents of seven finalists drawn from a nationwide search. In fact, 4,000 entries were submitted, 20 designers were shortlisted and seven made the final spot.
Finalists were Chineze Araka, Chisom Ogundu, Doro Ukey, Ifeanyi Ejimadu, Jemima Otagadah, Zainab Hamza and; wait for this… this writer; who actually came third in the competition.
Other top notch Lagos designers such as Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi, Tiffany Amber, Jewel by Lisa and Odio Mimonet showcased a collection using the Vlisco (Urban beat) Textiles.

THE Managing Director, Vlisco Nigeria, Mrs Elsie Hartsema, told the audience about the 163-year old House of Vlisco and why they are promoting fashion in Nigeria.
The head of design at Vlisco in Holland came down from the land of windmills and dykes for this event and was one of the judges.
The host for the evening was the TV personality Adesuwa Onyenokwe. Timi Dakolo thrilled the audience with his musical performances. The event was produced and directed by Omoyemi Akerele, whose ‘beautiful bump’ didn’t seem to get in the way at all.
Creative Direction was by Fauzi Fahm; Zara Okpara and Bola Baiye were the project coordinator and administrator respectively while make-up, hair and models were provided by Sleek headed by Mrs Natalie Bennet. Andie Ogbechi did the choreography.