Over 40 fashion designers say “Ankara’’ fabrics gaining international acceptance for trendy styles

Forty -three fashion designers and models say “Ankara” the African fabric, is fast gaining popularity and acceptance in the world fashion industry for making trendy styles.

They attributed the international prominence to the quality of their texture which usually made them easy to handle.

The designers and models said this at the end of the fifth edition of the Nigerian Students’ Fashion and Design Week at the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos.

Our correspondent reports that over 23 up-and-coming fashion designers showcased their various designs and creativity with over 20 models on the catwalk runway at the event.

They appealed to parents to encourage their children to take to fashion designs so as to further popularize the Ankara fabrics through trendy styles.

The brand ambassador, Maria Okanrende, urged fashion designers to see themselves as image directors in the society.

The London trained artiste said that fashion designers create and direct the trends, matching beauty and style through intellect and creativity which is turned into reality.

“The society is incomplete without fashion designers, they create what becomes trendy, and the “Ankara” fabrics’ reign is a product of efforts of fashion designers.

“Style is about taking what is trendy, what is in vogue to matching it with beauty and style,” she said.

Also, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, the co- sponsor of the event, told our correspondent that the African fabrics were gaining acceptance in the international world considering the huge of those wearing and promoting its varieties.

“The “Ankara” fabrics was one of the major fabrics used by the designers who showcased their artistry in the just concluded London edition of Africa Fashion week between Aug. 11 and Aug. 12,” she told our correspondent.

Ademiluyi, the founder of Africa Fashion week, London/Nigeria, said the Ankara fabric was gradually becoming the country’s export product and so should be encouraged by designers and the government.

The most promising designer awardee, 23-year-old Atinuke Animashaun, (Apparels by Pearl) told NAN that Ankara had become a major choice for creating trendy styles in the fashion industry.

“Most fashion designers currently figure out unique styles from Ankara stuff which sooths both the young and old, who get attracted to the choice of switching to African prints.

“The striking thing about using “Ankara’’ fabrics is that it gives you the desired styles and cuts, either used alone or mixed with other fabrics, it responds perfectly, “she said.

The youngest fashion designer at the event, 22-year-old, Maryjane Abaeme, (Stylish she Couture) told our correspondent that Nigerian fabrics have improved in quality and designs.

“The Ankara is quite impressive, the quality and designs are unique and that is why designers have chosen to work with it in their creative world,” she said.

Abaeme, who featured in the show for the first time said the interesting thing about Ankara was that it was affordable for every class of persons in the society.

The organizers gave various awards to designers that showed creativity such as the Most Promising Model, Best Male Designer (Hym Signage), Most Promising Designer (Apparels by Pearl), Best Female Designer (Adara Atelier)

They were rewarded with: sewing machines, a show at Africa Fashion Week, Nigeria, a space at 360 Creative Help and take off loans.