FUNKE OSAE-BROWN
The car park was nearly filled as I drove into 1, Water Corporation Drive, Victoria Island. It was just a few minutes past mid-day. The mid-day sun shone brightly on the tens of cars lined up at the expansive parking lot. I wondered how the venue could be this filled on a Sunday when most people would be at their various places of worship.
But a fashion fair like the GTBank Fashion Weekend was surely a crowd puller. Customers of the bank and others who are fans of a big brand, that has repositioned itself over the years as a bank that promotes SME development in Nigeria, knew they were in for great bargains and deals at the two-day fair.
After going through security screening, I walked briskly across the large courtyard taking in everything thing. The Craft Village, curated by famous curator, Nike Okundaye, was located a few metres from the pavilion entrance. It was a display of some of the best craft Nigeria offers from hand strewn beads, bracelets made of metals, handmade footwears to Adire, Ankara and silk fabrics, visitors were spoilt for choice.
The exhibition hall was very busy with visitors milling around moving from booth to booth. Amid all this, the beauty of the hall was breathtaking. There was enough space for visitors to engage with the products displayed in every booth.
BM Pro at the GTBank Fashion Weekend/ IMAGE TLR
Notable brands in the Nigerian fashion industry were present. Cosmetic brands like BMPro, Zaron, Kuddy Cosmetics, Girly Essentials, Beauty Insiders and others. From old fashion labels like Ituen Basi, David Wej, Ejiro Amos Tafiri to new comers like Omowunmi, Kiki Kamanu among others; children clothing store, Ruff N Tumble were all present. Fashion accessory brands like Femi Handbags, Kene Rapu, Gbemisoke Shoes, Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi were there also.
The voice of an announcer boomed out of the microphone that doors for the 12-noon masterclass was shut. I would have to wait for the next one that begins at 1pm. Beyond being a consumer-focus event, the GTBank Fashion Weekend is also a capacity building initiative to boost the expertise, exposure and business growth of small businesses in the local fashion industry through retail exhibitions and fashion masterclasses.
Tagged ‘Promoting Enterprise’, the fashion weekend featured eight masterclasses were issues relating to the growth and development of the fashion industry were discussed. Bijou Abiola successful fashion buyer shared her experience of buying apparel for retail stores in the USA. While speaking on ‘Global Retailing: Myths and Realities’ she said a good eye for detail is important and knowing market is equally key.
Femi Handbag was there too IMAGE/TLR
Claire Sulmeres, founder, The Fashion Bomb Blog shared her experience with fashion blogging. She observed that fifty percent of traffic to her website are people who search for things on the internet. “Some of the ways to make money is through ad networks, affiliate links, selling your own ads (you need to create a rate card), event sponsorship, brand ambassadors and Google Ad sense.”
The two-day event also featured Fashion showcase by DZYN, Gbenga Artsmith, Trish O Couture, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi among other designers. There was also afternoon fashion showcase by Toju Foyeh, Weiz Dhurm Franklyn, Chidinma Obairi and Style Temple.
I had fun interacting with most of the brands at the GTBank Fashion Weekend, I can’t wait for a repeat next year!
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