Runway to Face of Africa

BY DAMILOLA ADEKOYA
For coming tops among 10 pretty African ladies that contested for the M-Net Face Of Africa held last week in Lagos, 22-year old Lukando Nalungwe of Zambia has joined an exclusive group of past winners, scooping $50 000 from the organisers. The lady also got a modeling contract from O Model Africa and skincare products for 12 months from Iman Cosmetics.
The two-hour show, which was screened live from Lagos to 47 countries across Africa, held the global fashion community spellbound. This edition presented a new vision for the contest, with its traditional runway show.
Among the 26 designers showcased were the Nigerian contingent that included Zizi Cardow, Frank Osodi, Odio Mimonet, Fati Asibelua, Folake Folarin-Coker, Ituen Basi, Adebayo Jones, Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi, Lisa Folawiyo and Yemi Osunkoya.
Joining them were their counterparts from across the continent, which are John Kaveke (Kenya), David Tlale (South Africa), Anna Getaneh (Ethiopia), Kofi Ansah (Ghana) and Anisa Mpungwe (Tanzania). Others are Gloria WavaMunno (Uganda), Chakirra Claasen (Namibia), Cathy Kathunzi (Malawi), Koketso Chiepe (Botswana), Liz Ogumbo (Kenya), Taibo Bacar (Mozambique) and Angela Mulenga (Zambia).
Zizi Cardow clothed Nigeria’s Marvis, who wore a red short mono-strapped gown with flairs made of aso oke and taphetta material. Frank Osodi clothed the Zimbabwe’s Tholakele, who wore a grey gown, while Tanzania’s Lillian came out with a stringed badge colour gown designed by Odio Mimonet.
Angola’s Esperan looked smashing in her short off white tube gown made by MOMO, while Tiffany Amber showed her creativity with South African’s thembi.
Looking astonishing in her red ankara material, knitted by Ituen Bassey, Nigeria’s second representative, Blessing, hit the runway, followed by Zimbabwe’s Rosanna, who wowed the audience with an Adebayo Jones’ outfit. Lanre Da-Silver Ajayi finished work on Kenya’s Diana with a long Caribbean multi-coloured gown. Lisa Folawiyo created a black balloon with layers metal gown for Ernanina from Mozambique, while Yemi Osunkoya clothed Zambia’s Lukundo, who appeared in a blue Ankara gown.
However, in living up to its tradition of merging African design with the western style, the show fused the style of Christian Lacroix, Versace and Emmanuel Ungaro while jewelery designer Chris Aire brought his signature style to the fashion accessories.