Renowned British Designer Matthew Williamson headlines as the 2012 MTN Lagos Fashion & Design Week Kicks Off This Week

The MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week (MTN LFDW) will be held in Lagos on the 24th-27th October 2012. Taking place at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel Lagos, the event will feature 33 Nigerian designers as well as luxury British designer Matthew Williamson, who will headline the event as the international guest fashion designer.

The MTN LFDW will kick off with the Serengeti Exhibition which will be open to the public from the 25th of October 2012. The exhibition presents a perfect opportunity for the Nigerian fashion and design community to present their work to the general public and provide an opportunity for the creatives to engage with the guests at the exhibition.

The designers showing collections this year include: Ituen Basi, Iamisigo, Kelechi Odu, Jess Stefanie, Marayah Oh, Xclamations, Eki Orleans, Sunny Rose , Bridget Awosika, Iconic Invanity, Tiffany Amber, Odio Mimonet, Alali Boutique, Ozora by Zee, Viv La Resistance, Vintage Colette, Grey ,Omer Asim, Alter Ego, Jewel by Lisa, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Akpos Okudu, Xclamations, House of Form and Function, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Beatrice Black, Ibitein, Kinabuti, Kiki Kamanu, Kola Kuddus House of Marie, Obsidian, Koketso Chiepe, Republic of Foreigner, Anita Quansah, Mango and Mai Atafo.

This year there will also be a presentation of the youngest and brightest fashion talent emerging from Nigeria. The LFDW Young Designer of The Year has been selected to represent the next generation of Nigerian fashion.

Luxury British brand Matthew Williamson will be showing his collection to close the event. The brand is known for its luxurious collections which incorporate bright and exotic colours. Founded in February 1997 by designer Matthew Williamson and CEO, Joseph Velosa, the brand will celebrate its 15 year anniversary this Spring/Summer 13.

Commenting on MTN LFDW Matthew Williamson said “As fashion designers we always seek new inspirations, opportunities and frontiers. Visiting Lagos for the first time and indeed Nigeria will provide me a chance to do this and contribute in helping to build the fashion industry in a challenging but innovative new market.” He further added that Lagos was one of the many stops he and his partner Joseph Velosa will make this year to new emerging markets.

Omoyemi Akerele the founder and Creative Director of MTN Lagos Fashion and Design Week said “Our vision is to have a guest international designer each year as part of our vision to place Lagos on the map as a fashion capital; having guests like Matthew Williamson for our finale means we can achieve this.“

The Lagos fashion and Design week will hold in Lagos, Nigeria on October 24-27 2012. It is supported by MTN, BlackBerry, The British Council, Grey Goose Vodka, Porsche, Virgin Atlantic, The Wheatbaker Lagos, House of Tara, African Magic Entertainment, Haute Fashion Africa, Mania Magazine, Zapphaire Events and Colours in Africa.

Scroll down to view the schedule for this year’s Lagos Fashion and Design Week.

Photo Credit for MW: Luke Hayes
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About LFDW
The Lagos Fashion and Design Week is a premiere fashion event taking place in October 2012, which aims to drive the Nigerian fashion economy and lift its profile with the industry by bringing together buyers, consumers and the media to view the current collections of designers in the fashion capital of Lagos, Nigeria.