Photography Mike Schreiber Models Nana, Georgie, Sigail, Aminat and Millen wearing Kluk CDGT
Vonne jumpstarted day two of AMFW with a jolt of metallic mini dresses, animal print leggings and a Michael Jackson soundtrack. She showed back to back with Jil, whose sequinned mermaid skirts and kente strapless dresses were more serene, although equally accomplished. Tsemaye Binite’s elegant collection won him a place at the ARISE Magazine show this coming September at New York Fashion Week. Key looks included a hot orange jersey dress and a match matchy zebra-striped turban, blazer and trousers. Jo Black Craze took a leaf out of Ralph Lauren’s book with outdoorsy outfits aimed at golf, polo, tennis and the beach. The Mataano twins showed a cohesive collection of boho flared jeans and shirt dresses in earthy tones of olive, nude and mustard, many of which were topped off with faux fur hats. Chicia London mixed black leather with her own branded gold and green African prints across a range of short, simple dresses, full skirts, cutaway tops and torn t-shirts. Gert Johan-Coetzee did not hold back with his full on, floor length dresses covered in feathers, lace, embroidery and flounce.
Lanre da Silva was a audience favourite. She received a standing ovation for her Victoriana meets 1940s collection of boleros, safari shorts, high waisted trousers and dresses galore. A delicate blossom print and lace cobweb overlays gave the collection true class. Laquan Smith took to the ice with his ice skater-style neoprene dresses, racer back tank tops and panelled pencil skirts. The colour palette of neon pink, mint, gold, black and electric blue was simply off the chain.
Next up, Alexander Amosu brought the world’s most expensive suit back to Lagos. Valued at £70,000, and with each button worth £3,000 alone, it’s little wonder it came on stage with huge bouncer in tow. Bumni Koko showed both her spring/summer 2011 and autumn/winter collection 2011. The former comprised of lots of silky, draped dresses in bold colours, while the latter, entitled Kaleidoscopia, was announced by the arrival of a masquerade man covered in pom poms and holding a voodoo stick. Koko’s spaceage digital prints brought suits, bow blouses, rara skirts and body con dresses alive. Ere Dappa left no surface unembelished with her intricately beading of ankara bell-sleeve dresses, jumpsuits and cropped trousers. Bird, heart and fan designs were pretty as a picture.
Kluk CGTD epic collection, which began with a kimono, ended with bridal and took in Belle Epoche, Regency, Egyptian and Gothic elements along the way, went on to earn the design duo two awards including the most prestigious Designer Of The Year gong, plus a place at the ARISE NYFW show. I wonder if they managed to get their much-deserved magnum of Moet, presented to them at the Awards ceremony, on the plane back to South Africa with them.
KemKem Studio used ase oke and silk to create a fun, girly range of striped, zip-up dresses and separates. Autumn Adeigbo also brought smiles to faces with her cheeky hoop hemlines, sailor hats, head wraps and Obama prints. Lastly Deola Sagoe’s Japanese-inspired collection gave due reverence to the disaster-struck country with each model wearing a red string bracelet as a mark of respect. Velvet blanket coats, tie dye cullottes, animal stoles and lampshade skirts in lace, silk and ase oke were all full of eastern promise.
Estelle – from London, to Lagos for the very first time, via Brooklyn – got the aunties dancing with her hits American Boy and 1980. Wearing a gold Kortu Momolu dress, she shimmied the day to a close with the help of an acapella by Darey Art-Alade.
Helen Jennings | ARISE magazine, editor
The Editors' blog: Day One
The Editors' blog: Day Three