Leading international and Nigeria based designers across the nation are set to place Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State into the world Fashion map having confirmed their participation in the second edition of the Port Harcourt international fashion week themed ‘2014 Native & Vogue’ which will hold from September 19 to 21, 2014 in Port Harcourt.
Among the international designers who will be showcasing their works at the 3 day fashion event include Malcolm Kluk & Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit popularly known as KluK CGDT from South Africa, Shaldon Kopman a.k.a. Naked Ape from South Africa and Ade Bakare from the UK.
The list of international designers that have confirmed their participation at the event also include Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah Creations from the UK, Luis Jimi ‘De Laja from South Africa and Agbani Darego.
Top Nigeria based designers who will also be showcasing their works at the Presidential Hotel venue of the event are Frank Osodi, Zizi Cardow, Yomi Casual, Amos Ejiro Tafiri, Oluwagbon Oshinowo (Carpe Diem), Valentine Ejimakor (Dark Val) and Princess Peaceful Owoghiri.
The 2014 Port Harcourt International Fashion Week – Native & Vogue which will be hosted by Nigeria’s most talented and popular Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw and the winner of the Big Brother Africa Season 5 and TV Presenter, Uti Nwachukwu will also have 2 Face Idibia, Cobhams, Chidimma and K Cee as performing acts during the three day event.
Other celebrities whose attendance have also been confirmed include Bryan Okwara, Alex Ekubo, Denrele, Eku Edewor, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Kenneth Okorie, Isio Wanogho and Gbenro Ajibade amongst others.
Sponsored by the Rivers State Government and jointly organized by Neo Mantra, an intellectual property development company in partnership with Vanguard Allure and Bunor Creazioni, a renowned Nigeria indigenous fashion design, consultancy and model management firm headed by Frank Osodi, the event which is a Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative of the state government would also have top and upcoming Port Harcourt based fashion designers showcasing their works.
Designed to provide the platform for upcoming designers to undergo tutelage under the mentorship of professionals, the 3-day fashion event will also have young designers showcase their works in a competition that will have the winner presented with an all-expenses paid six months scholarship to an international Fashion School.
Speaking about the state’s preparedness for the event, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari stated that the government is powering the project in partnership with the private sector because of its commitment to restoring the state to its place of glory and make it a destination of choice for Business, Tourism, Fashion and Entertainment.
“Rivers state was the channel from which fashion came to this part of the world because we made the first contact with the whites and Rivers people are very fashionable, Native & Vogue would showcase designers in Port Harcourt, take the best of Rivers and present it to the world.
Among the 80 models who will be part of the event are 13 from South Africa, Robert Evans from the UK, Ojy Okpe from the US, Devyn Abdullah from the US, Millen Magase from the US and 56 others from Nigeria. Everybody involved in fashion, from designers, models, stylists to jewelry makers has the opportunity to participate and tap into the world of unlimited opportunities that Native & Vogue presents”, she added.