Dakar Fashion Week almost didn’t happen this year due to months of conflic
t about the pre-election of the Senegalese president. While the elite designers of Dakar should have been engulfed in their creativity, they were worry stricken about their survival during a revolting time.
Just when they thought all hope was lost Adama Paris, founder of Dakar Fashion week, kept the nine year promise of fashion week a reality. Instead of showing war Adama has a dream of showing the glamour that Africa has to offer in fashion. Although at every turn there seemed to be a road block Adama found an alternative route and pressed her way. Adama says “We have so much talent, they just need a push (Shadders, 2011).”
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| (Shadders, 2011) |
With African print sweeping the fashion world Dakar Fashion Week was a must. Many designers and big name stars such as Lisa Folawiyo of Jewel by Lisa and one of her famous clients Solange have been spotted sporting African print. The first lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce, and Gwen Stafani have also adopted the African print as a fashion statement that must to be made.
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| (Naija, 2011) |
The First night was brought to silence very quickly. The countries copyright bureau stopped the music and claimed they had not been paid their fee. While the bureau complained about not receiving their fee for the permission to play music the show went on in silence. During the silent show the catwalk continued to be filled with the showcase of fabulous designs. As the saying says “the show must go on” and that’s just what they did.
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| (Shadders, 2011) |
Although Dakar Fashion Week had a rocky start they pulled it off and showed that Ivorians have style and can exude color despite the dark times. Designer Alain Niava, self proclaimed “dresser to the first ladies”, made it his business to show that Africans enjoy a lot of color and are not caught up on being sad and dull. Many other African designers were given the opportunity to showcase their work on the runway, which was a true blessing seeing as how it almost didn’t happen.
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| (Shadders, 2011) |
Despite the many obstacles Dakar, Africa’s Fashion Week of 2011 was a success!
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| (Shadders,2011) |
Sources:
old.news.yahoo.com/ssenegalicoastfashion
www.shadders.net
old.news.yahoo.com/senegalfashionafrica
globalvoicesonline.org
bellanaija.com
bizcommunity.com
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