FADAN unveils the Hunt

By Jemi Ekumkumbor
Following the successful hosting of the maiden edition of the Hunt, last year by Fashion Designer’s Association of Nigeria (FADAN), the body is now set for a second edition scheduled for November 28, at the Civic Centre in Lagos.

The Hunt, a talent competition for aspiring designers was instituted by the new executive members of FADAN as part of capacity building for new members, to promote creativity and style and to ensure professionalism in the fashion industry.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in Lagos, president of FADAN, Prince Akanni Oyefusi, said this year’s event, promises to be bigger and better organised but with minor innovations and adjustments. He said whereas it is the practice to give cars and other such largess to winners at such events, he said FADAN has decided to be different by offering to the winner, a N2 million micro finance loan. According to him, it is very imported that the winner be a business minded person. “We are not giving a car because we believe that if you do a good business, you can always buy yourself a car.

The loan we are offering comes with a package that includes a website, business plan. You are also assigned a project manager to assist you move your business to higher level. For anybody who does genuine business, you know this is a good loan as it is spread over five years. ”

Audition for the event takes place in two cities-Lagos and Abuja in the second week of November. Participating designers will be expected to present three interactive sketches of the style they would want to create and present clear cut interpretation of how they want to go about them.

The president also pointed out that while there is no gender restriction to the competition, designers are free to choose what they want to do from their areas of strength.

And to spice the show up, some older designers will light up the runway in a special feature known as the celebrity segment. All collections will be done in African prints supplied by Da Viva, the official sponsor of the event.

Also speaking during the press conference, Ricky Tang representing Da Viva, commended Nigerian designers who he said are creative and can do justice to the creative designs by Da Viva.

He said as a young brand, this arrangement fits well with FADAN’s idea of promoting young designers. He added that their involvement in the Hunt will also ensure that designers use original Da Viva products.