LFDW : Street Stars! PT1

I have to admit that the "street stars" at this year's LFDW really brought it ! As someone who has worked in fashion, I can tell you for free that styling people to look "effortlessly" cool or edgy does not happen easily. It takes alot of effort to even get dressed as a stylish adult not to mention trying to be cool and edgy without scaring the nearest child!
Apart from the designers who we obviously all want to see, the street stars add much needed color and vibrance to the event. The magazines love and need them to sometimes fill up pages and also to inspire readers. We photogs love them all; from the super cool to the edgy to the "for real??"

 I salute each and everyone of you street stars! x

I have to give a special shout out to these guys, Ekow and Doneal from Ghana. I met them years ago at fashion week and I literally fell in love with them. They do not joke with lagos fashion week. They literally just finished exams and jumped on the next flight to Lagos. I was so happy to see them that I shamelessly triple jumped into their arms and we hugged and screamed and did all the "OMG" "I missed you so much" and people were like ooookay. But I don't care, they are permanently in my heart. Love them!

 Ekow

Doneal

He had two outfits in one night!

Diana Opoti

Mrjon Carlos - Senior fashion writer at Vogue

Akin Faminu

 Elie Kuame

Deola of Omogemura

Big Ben (designer)

 Oma

Omowumi Akinnifesi

 Efe Tommy

Bolanle

Sharon

Uche

LFDW DAY 1 - A LITTLE STREET STYLE NEVER HURT ANYONE!

I feel a dull ache in my right shoulder, its familiar and I have to admit, I have missed it. Aaah the small joys of fashion week! 
So I have been out of the game for a hot minute because I have been working in film but it feels so good to be back! The dull ache in my right shoulder comes from hoisting the camera up and down each time a model comes down the runway and I love hitting that sweet spot where the light is just right and the stride is on point and the........(you gerrit)

 Day 1 of the Lagos Fashion and Design week was a bit of a shock because never have I seen such a huge crowd turn up for day 1. I had to ask my other photographer friends if this was the new normal and they seemed to agree that the crowd was very unprecedented for Day 1! Usually people up the ante from day 3 upwards.
The show started hours after schedule but by the times the lights came up, the place was packed full, not one seat was left empty. I will discuss the show itself in my next post but first; street style!

Street style vibes were on another level yesterday as there weren't too many over the top looks, there were a few here and there but mostly, it was a nice mix of vibrant colors, bold patterns and interesting textures. A guy rocked a stole with some bling on it! I loved it

Rio the stylist from Tanzania rocking his stole!

 I hope to see more cool street style in the following days! x

LFDW2016 DAY 1 - EVERY STITCH OF IT!!

The first day of fashion week is usually calm; not too hectic and typically ends on time. Well not this year! The show started hours later, was super hectic and it was a full house!
After much ado, the show started and Beloise's collection came floating down the runway. The collection featured many different textures from layered chiffon to structured gowns with pleated detail at the waist and an evening gown with interesting cut outs. I particularly enjoyed the lush green peekaboo fabric on the inside of the dresses, it was a cute little surprise when the models moved and we could all see the detail.

Next up was WANGER AYU

I have been watching them for a while now and I was excited to see what they were going to send down the runway. They served an eclectic mix of elegant and playful with their stripes and squares patterned fabrics contrasted by embellished chiffon and florals. The big surprise was when Waje came out to serenade the models as they took their final walk! That voice made the moment all the more special for the collection!

DIVINE ENDOWMENTS!

This collection had a bit of everything. They opened with a six piece skirt and blouse in Ankara fabric followed by a pant suit also made from Ankara. I was excited to see how else they were going to use the fabric but they moved on to other fabrics and textures. There was an evening gown with Ankara as an underlay which gave us a peekaboo effect as well.  Basically in this collection, there was something for everyone!

TITI BELLO!
I had heard alot of buzz about this line so I was waiting to see what they had to show us and I was not disappointed. Plunging necklines! tassels, pleats and beading! These are just some of the elements that floated down the runway. One of the looks was so cute, it reminded me of my love for the eyelet fabric. This collection was as daring as it was different and the finale dress was an edgy take on a wedding gown, perhaps?

 More reviews on DAY 1 coming soon!  x




photo credit: Kola Oshalusi for Insignia