Arise Fashion Week to Hold December 5 -12

By Adedapo Adesanya

Africa’s premier runway show, the Arise Fashion Week, would be held between December 5 and 12, 2020, the organisers have announced.

The event has been touted to reinvent global fashion at a time of COVID-19, an unprecedented disruption. The show will bring Africa on the world’s fashion map as it showcases the young, the talented and the daring in a move designed to reinvent global fashion during these challenging times.

Scheduled to hold in Lagos Nigeria, it would be streamed globally as the next generation of designers, The New Stars, showcase the best and brightest of fashion and style competing for $500,000 in prize money.

The winner goes home with $300,000, while the first runner up takes $150,000 and the second runner up receives $50,000 as cash prize.

In its call for submission, the organisers noted that: “If you are a self-confident designer, 30 years old or under the age of 30 and with a great look, here is your chance to conquer the world of fashion and displace established brands. Effective immediately, please apply and register on www.arisefashionweek.world.”

A selection committee made up of global fashion icons and writers will shortlist the 30, who will compete for a chance to become the breakout stars of the new age.

The organisers said applications and registrations would close at midnight on October 31, 2020.

Every year, Arise Fashion Week promotes and celebrates young and established designers from Africa, the diaspora and the world.

Since its first edition in 2009, it has featured over 500 notable designers including Tifany Amber, Oswald Boateng, Lanre da Silva, Deola Sagoe, Lisa Folawiyo, Ituen Basi, Odion Mimonet, Keneth Ize, Tokyo Jones, Laqman Smith, Thebe Magugu, Bethany Williams, Esteban Cortazar, Robert Cavalli, Mowalola, Maison ARTC, among others

It has hosted icons like Naomi Campbell, Alec Wek, Grace Jones, Bethann Hardison, Tyson Beckford, Oluchi Olandi, Agbani Darego, Alton Mason, Imaan Hamamm, Shanelle Nyasiase, etc; Fashion Editors like Edward Enninful, and Andre Leon Tally, amongst other celebrities who have found the showcase compelling.