By Yemisi SULEIMAN

Keeping to the promise of continuity made last year by wife of the governor of Bayelsa state, Mrs Alayingi Sylva to ensure that the economic standard of youths in the State is improved, the office of the First Lady in collaboration with Legendary Gold Limited, held the 2nd edition of the Bayelsa Fashion Week in Yeneagoa the state capital recently.

The week long activity which ended with the grand finale held penultimate Sunday at the Banquet hall, Yenagoa, featured collections from seven young designers and fifteen models all indigens of the state. The event which was witnessed by top government functionaries and other Bayelsa citizens, also had international presense from the international fashion industry as part of the jugdes.

The designers displayed thier creative prowess with the beach, casual, corporate, evening as well as bridal wears, all made with African fabrics stylishly crafted to suite today’s trend. Designers were judged on their outstandinfg creativity, patterns, cut, blend of colours and overall finishing.

The event as usual was a blend of creativity and culture, as Bayelsa mothers, female chiefs and grand mothers came on the runway adorned in outfits that depicted the rich cultural heritage of the state. Highlights of the contest were performances from the Bayelsa State Council of Arts and Culture, the group Believers and Afe.

At the end of the competition, Snazzy designs emerged winner, a feat which came with a cash price of N400,000 and a chance to participate at the Nigeria Fashion week; his collections were fresh with a brilliant interpretation of the fusion with western and African cut. Remi’s creation emerged 2nd with a cash price of N200,000, while Creative Designer was 3rd with N100,000. In the models category, male model and Araka Preye Victoria was best female model, with cash price of N200,000 each and a chance to participate at the Nigeria Fashion Week. However, there were no losers as other designers got consolation prices of N50,000 each, while the models got N20, 000 each.

Delivering her speech, Mrs Sylva said the whole objective of the Bayelsa Fashion Week is to engage the youths by taking their minds off crime to creativity, as well as discovering and training designers and models for the international market.