The Class of 2015! Check Out the Top 16 Heineken LFDW Fashion Focus Finalists | Introducing the ‘Outstanding Emerging Designer of the Year Award’

The highly anticipated list of 16 finalists for the 2015 Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week Fashion Focus is here and we are very excited!

After having regionals in Port Harcourt, Abuja & Lagos, LFDW has finally unveiled the list of those who made the cut. It has some names you are very familiar with, as well as some new names that are sure to make a stamp on the Nigerian and African fashion industry.

The top 16 participants are;

– Ibrahim Aminu
– Uchechi Arinze
– Chukwuma Ekwerike
– Victoria Ogwanighie
– Ify Onyido
– Chioma Igbokwe
– Lovelyn Ita
– Chinenyenwa Ekejiuba
– Emmanuel Weje
– Taiwo “Papa” Omisore
– Deji Eniola
– Chikezie Daniel
– Nura Ikhalea
– Wager Ayu
– Oisetohanmen Isinugben
– Johnson Iyaye

These names were selected out of over 100 applicants by the LFDW Fashion Focus judges: Zara Okpara (PR Executive, Jewel by Lisa), Godson Ukeagbu (Editor, Mania Magazine), Wadami Amolegbe (Creative Director, Fashion Focus), Akpos Okudu (Designer, Akpos Okudu), Ogwa Iweze (Designer, DZYN), Oyinkansola Momoh (Project Manager, Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week), Jennifer Onochie (Program Manager, Arts & Creative Industries of British Council Nigeria), Mobolaji Sadare (Buyer, Grey Velvet, Nigeria) & Amaka Osakwe (Designer, Maki Oh).

Fashion Focus will host a comprehensive 3-day workshop titled “Fashion DNA: Image-Makers“. The workshop will run from today, Tuesday 20th – Thursday 22nd October 2015. During this time, the 16 Fashion Focus finalists will learn from various institutions and prestigious industry leaders from Nigeria and the United Kingdom like Photographers; Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Lakin Ogunbanwo, Nina Manandhar, Darren Black and Stylists; Rebekah Roy, Dimeji Alara, Tokyo James and Carri Munden.

Speaking on Fashion Focus, Wadami Amolegbe (Creative Director, LFDW Fashion Focus) said – “The Fashion Focus initiative aims to support the professional development of emerging creative talent in Nigeria. Through the workshops, the top 16 finalists will gain hands on experience working with industry experts from Nigeria and the U.K, which they can apply to grow their respective brands.“

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This year, Heineken Lagos Fashion and Design week introduces the Award for ‘Outstanding Emerging Designer of the Year ’ (Fashion & Retail) reserved for a Fashion Focus Alumni who is performing remarkably in the Fashion & Retail sector. The 2015 recipient of this award will be announced during Fashion Week.

Fashion Focus is a great opportunity that offers fashion designers the opportunity to be participants at targeted workshops and networking sessions between 2015 and 2016. The winner will have the chance to exhibit their collection in front of a select audience at the 2015 Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week taking place 8 days from now (28th – 31st October 2015).

Fashion Focus is a collaboration between Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week and British Council that’s supported by Fashion School, Istituto Marangoni and Grey Velvet Nigeria.

Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week sponsors Maybelline and Fayrouz will lend their continued support to Heineken LFDW.

Media Partners include – Mania Magazine, Guardian, Genevieve Magazine, BellaNaija.com, Pulse.NG and Kamdora. Style Partners include StyleVitae.com.

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BellaNaija is a media partner with the 2015 Heineken Lagos Fashion & Design Week