Expert urges govt. to support fashion industry to boost GDP

A fashion and modeling expert, Mr Emmanuel Eze-Nwagwu, has urged the government at all levels to support the fashion industry to create formidable businesses that would contribute meaningfully to the GDP.

Mr Eze-Nwagwu gave the suggestion at a news conference on Friday in Lafia, ahead of 2019 edition of African Style Fashion Show (ASFS) scheduled for April 20 in Abuja.

Eze-Nwagwu, Chief Executive Officer, New Fame Modeling Agency, Abuja and Founder of African Style Fashion Show said the world was increasingly becoming aware of African fashion, hence the need for government and individuals to tap into it.

“Fashion and modeling industry does not only entertain, but it also creates jobs and increase the GDP of a country if properly harnessed,” he said.

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Eze-Nwagwu said the African Style Fashion Show was conceived as a platform where young creative fashion designers and artists would interact and turn ideas into formidable businesses.

According to him, the aim is to take advantage of the power in diversity, promotes existing and emerging designers throughout Africa.

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“The platform is the native voice of the fashion industry in Africa. It is inspired by the local designers who give us fabulous fashion styles that reflect our cultural heritage,” he said.

Mrs Stella Ajige, a fashion expert and the managing director, J_Ell’s Fashion Studio, Lafia said fashion has the capacity to promote and foster unity among African countries, Nigeria in particular.

Ajige said the fashion show was apt because of enormous benefits of bringing African fashion designers to share ideas and turning such ideas into wealth creation.