MTN throws weight behind African designers at Arise fashion show

MTN Nigeria has shown support for African fashion designers at the 20th edition of the Arise Fashion Show. This year’s edition with the  theme “ARISE Fashion Week and Jazz Festival: Future Forward,” was held from February 2 to 4, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.

The ARISE Fashion Week 2023 featured a host of world-class African designers such as, Ajabeng, Ameer by Ameer, Awa Meité, Bianca Saunders, BLOKE, Éki Kéré, Fruché, Hudayya, I.N Official, Ituen Basi, Joy Meribe, Kadiju, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Mariya Sanusi, NiNiE, NKWO, Pepper Row, Selam Fessahaye, Syari Bespoke, T.I Nathan, Tiffany Amber, UNI FORM, VicNate, XULY. Bët, Ziva Lagos among others and jazz performances by well-known worldwide performers.

Speaking on MTN’s dedication towards the investment of African creatives, the Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, Adia Sowho, said, “We believe everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life, and technology has the capacity to trigger unprecedented growth particularly in the African creative sectors, including our fashion designers. As a leading ICT company, we are confident that the metaverse and other innovations riding on the 5G technology will enable our creatives to attain unimaginable feats and continue to make us proud. We will always be here to provide the technological support as our young and vibrant creatives explore the opportunities in the ever-evolving digital world.”

Since its inception in 2007, the event has significantly influenced the Nigerian fashion industry by providing a platform for designers and models to showcase their work to a global audience, gain exposure, and network with other industry professionals. It has also served as a platform for the promotion of African design creativity and innovation, as well as its evolution over time.

The ARISE Fashion Week elevates Lagos and, by extension, Nigeria to the forefront of regional and continental creative design, with a plethora of fashion designers and models taking centre stage in front of a global audience.

Naomi Campbell, Mai Atafo, TG Omori, Wizkid, Rema, Arya Starr, Sunday Are, Timaya, Dbanj, Rita Dominic Anosike, Tania Omotayo, Boma, Eni Adeoluwa, and other notable celebrities attended the event.

The showcase has previously been held in Abuja, New York, London, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Washington, D.C., and Dubai. The three-day event, which has become a highlight of the global fashion calendar, kicks off the continent’s 2023 fashion season.