Zenith, Access, GTB, offer N300m Funding to 30 Winning Designers at ARISE Fashion Week!

ARISE Fashion Week is set to make a grand return from March 30th to April 2nd at the Lagos Continental Hotel this year. Recently launching the ARISE Fashion Management and Mentoring Programme AFMMP, the organizers are determined to grow global champions out of African designers.

The AFMMP initiative is curating indigenous brands that can compete with the best in the world and stand firm on the international stage, starting with the AFMMP Bootcamp from Tuesday 27th March 2018.

At the Bootcamp, designers participating in the ARISE Fashion Week 2018 will have access to a faculty of experts, who will engage the selected designers on Fashion Business and Financial Management, The Business of Luxury, Supply Chain Management, Strategic Planning, Merchandising, Retail and Export Strategies, Social Media Strategies, Image and Reputation Management, Brand Acceleration, and most importantly, 10 Steps to Becoming World Class.

The highlight of the AFMMP Bootcamp will be a Bankable Business Plan Competition amongst the designers from which 30 winning pitches will be selected. Each winning designer will be awarded 10 Million Naira Funding specifically targeted to enhance the designer’s infrastructure, supply chain, retail and export plans.

This funding will come with strings attached – a banking partner, (Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank and others ), a Brand Accelerator, and a Global Mentor drawn from leading design luminaries from around the world – who will donate their time and expertise to taking Africa’s fashion brands global. Meanwhile, arrangements are being concluded with leading consultants and business schools to ensure sustainability with quarterly classes.

AFMMP Program Coordinator, Orode Imevbore said:

ARISE has always been globally focused. Twelve years ago through Music and Fashion, ARISE Media told the story of Africa Rising around the world, leading to the current resurgence of Music and Fashion. Today, after a black US President, and a new Black Panther moment, the time for Africa is now. The AFMMP Initiative will ensure we have the bricks and mortar to compete in the emerging new world. And everyone is welcome to play their part. America is driving technology, Europe controls global luxury, the sun is rising in China and Asia. If not now, when will it be for Africa? Today we take baby steps with fashion and the creative industries.

Exciting hardly captures the emotions, as we are talking about empowering 30 talented designers with life-changing support beyond the capital, and making the African fashion design truly world class. The ARISE Fashion Management and Mentoring Programme is a first step. Jointly, together we will rise and conquer.

ARISE Fashion Week 2018 will take place at The Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos from March 30 – April 02, 2018.

The designers scheduled to showcase their latest collections include:

• Nigeria

Abaya Lagos 

About That Curvy Life 

Andrea Iyamah

Banke Kuku

Bridget Awosika 

Dzyn

Fashpa 

Funke Adepoju 

Gozel Green 

House of Divas Lagos 

House of Irawo

House of Nwocha 

Ilare

Imad Eduso 

Ituen Basi 

Kenneth Ize 

Kimono Kollection

Lanre Da Silva 

Lisa Folawiyo 

Lulu Lingerie

Mai Atafo

Maxivive 

Moofa 

Odio Mimonet

Style Temple 

Sunny Rose

Tiffany Amber

Tokyo James 

Tsemaye Binitie 

Tzar 

Vonne Couture 

Yutee Rone

Ziva Lagos 

• Morocco

Amine Bendriouich 

• Canada

Aurora James

• Germany

Bukola Akomolafe 

Colrs

Prim By Michelle Elie 

• South Africa

Chularp Suwannapha 

Gavin Rajah 

Kluk CGDT 

Lahnayo Midnigi

Maxhosa by Laduma

Orapeleng Module

Quiteria & George 

Rich Mnisi 

Thebe Magugu 

• Bahamas

Karolynne Ashley 

• Botswana

Koko Kamala 

• USA

Laquan Smith 

Washington Roberts

Weizdhurm Franklyn

• France

Laurenceairline 

• Ivory Coast

Rokus London

LOZA Maleombho

• Tanzania

Mustafa Hassanali 

• United Kingdom

Ozwald Boateng 

Tinie Tempah