Uyo Fashion Week 2024: A Rising Star in the World of Fashion?

Blessing Otoro

The last conversation I had with a friend about the annual Uyo fashion week, which is now one of the most anticipated events in the city and its environs cemented my belief that the Convener, Mea Edmonds, deserves her flowers.
Having been an attendee over the years, the most recent edition felt no different. In fact, I can boldly say she raised the bar a notch higher while bringing fresh new talents to the fore and promoting several businesses in the fashion industry.

The season 3 as some fashion lovers called it came back with a bang! We saw the delectable Nancy Isime returning to host the ev ent for the second time in a row and she looked stunning while delivering an excellent job. How about the iconic street style looks to the models strutting and slaying on the runway? It was a joy to behold and I couldn’t contain my pride seeing my city cement its name as one of the top fashion weeks in the country.

If you missed the show, don’t worry I’ll be taking you on a journey of some of the best highlights of the event and why attending next year should be a must!

Uyo Fashion Week | Charlie Davids

Uyo Fashion Week: A Celebration of Style, Culture and Creativity

Ever since its debut in 2022, UFW has become one of the most exciting fashion show to look out for in the country. The annual event now serves as a melting pot for fashion enthusiasts, budding talents, established designers, and influencers alike. This year’s edition kept the standard with a perfect blend of high fashion, culture, and innovation.

 

The 2- day event kicked off with masterclasses held at the stunning Wattbridge Hotel with Mr. Udeme Ufot, Group Managing Director of SO&U, a leading advertising agency in Nigeria serving as the keynote speaker, while the award-winning actor Mr Richard Mofe Damijo otherwise known as RMD hosted the fireside chat. We also had industry experts like Annie Essieneete, Farouk Khailann, Joy Aggrey, Dara Lawal, and many others educating budding talent in line with this year’s theme “Empower Creativity, Shape the Future.

Some of the valuable insights, the celebrated actor shared that will not be forgotten in a hurry was the many ways youths can leverage social capital for business growth.  I’m sure fashion lovers who attended the masterclass like me have etched these lessons in their hearts already.

 

The opening ceremony of the runway show was held at the Ibom Hall, a venue perfectly suited for an event of this magnitude. The atmosphere was electric as the who’s who of Nigerian fashion gathered to witness the first round of runway shows. As the lights dimmed and the music dropped, the first collection hit the runway, and it was immediately clear that this year’s edition would be extraordinary.

 

UFW2024: The Best Highlights of the Events

 

 

With the eloquent Courage Mbon serving as Mcee for the event, and the brief appearances of the SSA on Public Affairs, Barrister Morgan Ekanem, the runway show kicked off to a great start.

One of the reasons, this past weekend will go down in history as my best was how transformed I felt after attending the fashion week and witnessing the stunning displays of style. It won’t be shocking if I decide to do a major wardrobe overhaul after seeing a model rock beautiful pieces from our indigenous designers.

Another Major highlight of the event was seeing His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, His deputy, Her Excellency distinguished Senator Akon, and the beautiful former lady, Her Excellency, Dr. Mrs. Martha Udom, and other dignitaries in attendance. 

Uyo Fashion Week | Charlie Davids

As If that wasn’t enough, the Arise champion in his message pledged support for creatives to ensure they reach their full potential and of course, thanked Mae Edmonds for her outstanding work and mentorship in making the event a success. 

Did I forget to mention that the Asian and Ayaya runway show was nothing short of a masterpiece? Well now you know. The runway featured the hottest designers and budding talents showcaing their pieces on the beautiful models.

From household names like House of Borah to Clemas Effanger, to Zhalima Grazioni and emerging talents like Prime Wears, the designers did not come to play at all

Uyo Fashion Week 2024: Unforgettable Street Style Looks  At The Event

What is a fashion event without fashion lovers coming in hot? The intentionality behind every look, the styling, and the avant-garde pieces rocked by attendees wowed me. I could tell, everyone who graced the event lived and breathed fashion, and when I say fashion you know I mean hot sexy fashion. In a few words, our people ate and left no crumbs. Feast your eyes on some of the looks that graced the red carpet.

Uyo Fashion Week | Charlie Davids

Uyo Fashion Week 2024: Not Just a Star But a Game-Changer

Reflecting on the entire experience, Uyo Fashion Week 2024 was more than just a fashion event, but a movement that showcased the immense talent within Nigeria and across Africa, while also highlighting important conversations about sustainability and cultural preservation. The diversity of designers, the blend of fashion with culture, and the support for emerging talent made this event one to remember.

Uyo Fashion Week | Charlie Davids

You can agree with me, the event doesn’t just shine brightest in the southern region but has changed the game and influenced many conversations in the industry especially with its promotion of indigenous talents.

Charlie Davids

 

We had the opportunity to have a brief conversation with Zhalima Grazioni; one of the fashion houses that exhibited during the fashion week.

Find the excerpts below:

CD: What was your main source of inspiration for this collection, and how does it reflect the cultural or contemporary themes you’re passionate about?

Zhalima Grazioni: My main source of inspiration was the desire to tell a story of timeless beauty and unity across diverse cultures. The collection reflects my deep passion for cultural fusion, especially through the lens of bridal fashion.

CD: How do you integrate sustainable practices into your design process, and what steps are you taking to make fashion more eco-friendly?

Zhalima Grazioni: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in my design process, and I’m taking steps to make fashion more eco-friendly within the scope of my work. I design with the intention of creating timeless pieces rather than following fast fashion trends. Each look in my collection is made to be cherished and passed down, aligning with a more thoughtful and sustainable consumption pattern.

CD: What challenges do you face as a designer in the Nigerian fashion industry, and how do events like Uyo Fashion Week help overcome them?

Zhalima Grazioni: As a Nigerian designer, I face challenges such as limited access to high-quality, sustainable fabrics, with much of the premium bridal materials being imported, raising costs. Additionally, local production infrastructure can hinder scaling and consistency, making intricate couture designs difficult to execute efficiently.

CD: How do you balance staying true to African traditions and culture while also appealing to a global audience?

Zhalima Grazioni: Striking a balance between traditional African designs and modern, global fashion trends is a challenge. The Nigerian bridal market has unique tastes that sometimes differ from global expectations, so maintaining authenticity while appealing to diverse audiences can be tricky.

CD: What role do you think Uyo Fashion Week plays in promoting emerging designers, and how has it impacted your career or creative journey?

Zhalima Grazioni: I encourage brides to consider upcycling aspects of their bridal gowns or repurposing them for future events. Offering customization allows for more personalized designs that have a lasting appeal.I emphasize creating designs that are not just beautiful but durable, ensuring that each piece lasts for years. High-quality craftsmanship plays a big role in extending the lifecycle of each garme. I work with local artisans to support the craftsmanship within the regions that inspire me. This not only sustains traditional methods but also cuts down on the carbon footprint by reducing the need for international manufacturing and shipping.

 

As I left the Uyo fashion week venue on the final day, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in how far Nigerian designers have come. Uyo Fashion Week has cemented itself as a major player on the global fashion scene, and I can’t wait to see what next year has in store.

If you haven’t experienced Uyo Fashion Week yet, make sure you don’t miss the 2025 edition. It’s a celebration of style, culture, and creativity that is bound to keep evolving.

 

 

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