Most likely the youngest designer in the history of Africa Fashion week, Nkem Semenitari , a 13 year-old, Year 9 Student of IWS Skills Centre got involved in the design aspect of fashion, which led to her creation of “THE FIBONETTI COLLECTION” inspired by Italian Mathematician
Tobilola Ajibola’s love for fashion stemmed at an early age where she played dress up in her mom’s wardrobe and at age 13, on an extremely boring day during her long holidays, she created her very first collection which included Capri pants,a mini skirt, a tank top(all clothing trends popular in the 90s)and a halter neck blouse all hand stitched by her. She rocked every piece till she outgrew them.
Today, she is the Creative Director and Founder of ‘Dresses By Aloli’, Nigeria’s first online custom clothing fashion line for young and fashion forward women who desire edgy and functional clothing that is accessible and affordable.
She honed her pattern making skills at Valisimo Fashion House and Ginani Fashion respectively and worked as an Dressmaker Intern at Teda Designs for 7months and in OSC as a Production Intern for a month before fully focusing on establishing her label.
She would be showcasing her highly anticipated Spring – Summer Collection titled ” Spring Blossom” here at AFWN 2017.
With the infusion of delightful and lush spring colors like cherry blossoms and beige, and incorporating soft and rich fabrics like silk and lace, The ‘Spring Blossom’ collection symbolizes the brand’s new beginnings. She strives to showcase the birthing of the’Aloli’ woman as a sophisticated and elegant woman who is growing into her own. She is unhurried but fun, oozes great self confidence in her skin and skills and is poised to build her dreams.
Tobilola is an award winning fashion entrepreneur and the first female innovator to win the prestigious Etisalat Prize For Innovation Idea category in November 2016.
Beautiful creations for women and girls: beautiful queens and princesses.
Afrikawala fashion was founded in 2015, by Karen Nakamba who is also
‘head designer, with hope of bridging western and African fashion.
This includes traditional apparel drawing from both the Zambian and
east African inspired local arts, crafts and wild fruits.
Within a year of practising fashion and design, Karen has showcased
twice at the Zambia fashion week, Swahili fashion week, as exhibitor,
Africa finest culture in London and has gone on to organise shows and
most recently a pop-up shop within her own local community.
Karen is also a publisher, having produced her own fashion magazine
themed ‘AFRIKAWALA’ with hope of helping models, designers,
photographers and traditional artists to be noticed through digital
media.