[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] Are you familiar with that feeling of pure delight that comes when you see so many creativity such as Arts, Exhibition, Fashion etc. going on in one location? It’s spectacular!
This was the amazing feeling I got to experience at the GTBank Fashion Weekend. If you missed the event, here is a little recap to share the lovely experience with you…. [/dropcap]
First, the weekend was a very eventful one for us at Bellafricana. We showcased at the biannual Chevron Bazaar, where we represented some of our Bellafricana Verified merchants. CLICK FOR DETAILS.
Next, I went to support some of our Bellafricana Verified Merchants who were exhibiting at the GTBank Fashion Weekend.
On entering the gates of the event, from the security bars, I was already impressed. As I approached the entrance, I thought to myself, now who won’t be proud to bank with Guaranty Trust Bank.
So much attention to details, for a second I thought I was outside Nigeria. This also reminded me of the GTBank Food Fair that was held earlier in the year (too bad if you missed that also).
The atmosphere was bursting with so much talent. If you open up your mind for some time, you might even soak up some good doses of creativity yourself.
I have to give a big kudos to GTBank and the team that handled the entire planning of the event. It was absolutely beautiful!
I am so excited and appreciate GTBank for all their efforts in 2016 to promote enterprise in Nigeria, seeing as I am an advocate of that myself with our efforts at Bellafricana.
All i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed. The art aspect, the exhibition, the runway, classes etc all had their dedicated space and attention. One did not suffer at the expense of the other.
Let’s tour the arena together. Kindly follow the descriptions on the pictures for details where applicable.
Day 1 of the GTBank Fashion Weekend
The Fashion Weekend was a 2-day event and I represented all of us at Bellafricana, to come out and support the beautiful creatives on both days. Let’s start by looking at the general environment on the first day, it sizzled with so much activity.
The ambience was lovely and would put you in the right mood to shop and have fun right from the doorway.
Craft Village
There was a space set aside for creative life display of art works. You could see textile artists busy at work with their tie-dye techniques, creating beautiful looking Adire textiles right from the scratch. It was pure beauty indeed.
Related Post: The History Of Adire Textile
Related Post: Yinka Shonibare, The Talented Artist
Exhibition
Like I said, some of our Bellafricana Verified merchants displayed at the Fashion Weekend’s exhibition. Here is their stand on day 1 of the event.
Here is the founder of Ty-Tys Design at his creatively arranged stand. He makes uniquely crafted neck wears such as neckties and bow ties using vintage Aso Oke materials and Dasmask fabrics.
Ty-Tys Design also uses these vintage Aso Oke textiles to make beautiful and functional laptop bags, iPad sleeve etc. To learn more about the brain behind this creative brand, Bayo Ademiluyi, CLICK HERE to read our Exclusive Interview with him.
Related Post: The History Of Aso-Oke Textile
Here is the founder of Itoro Okon, an exquisite jewelry maker smiling prettily to my right. She looks absolutely gorgeous rocking those lovely blue Tassel Earrings, I have been crushing on.
Jewelry by Itoro Okon specialises in making unique ready to wear jewelries and beautiful bridal jewelry sets also. The brand is named after the exceptional lady who founded it. To learn more about the beautiful brain behind this creative brand, Itoro Okon, CLICK HERE to read our Exclusive Interview with her.
Here is the attractive and creatively designed stand Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi, the brand that is inspired by culture! The beautiful works of a string artist called Toyosi Olanrewaju, whom I was so glad to have met, designed this creatively set up for Ethnik at their exhibition stand, company name 5and10 Kraftzone.
Ethnik by Tunde Owolabi is a fashion and lifestyle brand that makes use of locally loomed Aso Oke fabrics designed by the founder, Tunde Owolabi. They use these custom designed fabrics to make chic and fashion forward shoes, bags, shorts, sandals, laptop bags, sling bags and more.
To see pictures of their products you can view their listing page HERE. You can also visit their online store to place your orders, just CLICK HERE.
Let’s see other interesting creatives that displayed at the GTBank Fashion Weekend. Here, we have the super amazing aunty Femi, the founder of Femi Handbags. She is as beautiful as her awesome creations. It was so lovely to finally meet her.
Here I was, with Kene Rapu. She makes amazing African inspired quality footwear.
As you already know, I can smile/grin for Africa.
Day 2 of The GTBank Fashion Weekend
I had so much fun the first day that I couldn’t stay away the second. I stopped by at the Ethnik’s exhibition stall again. While there, I also came to support another of our Bellafricana Verified business, Addict by Pawprint.
They are the founder of the Afro-Chic-Couture attire called Blingshiki. The founder, Tolulope Adebukola (the Pawprint Lady) looked as gorgeous as ever! Here’s a picture of the amazing people at the stand.
From left to right: Bukky Asehinde (Founder, Bellafricana), Tunde Owolabi (Founder @ethnikbytundeowolabi), Tolulope Adebukola (Founder, @addictbypawprint @blingshiki) and Naj the beautiful Mrs. Ethnik
Next I met with Gbenga Ayo-Dada the talented mind behind Gbenga ArtSmith. He looked dapped in his lovely attire. My beautiful choker neckpiece was made by Itoro Okon
I finally made a new friend, Toyosi the string artist who was happy to accompany me to see more of the craft village.
Asides from craft on display, there were some lovely artistic work made using tyre material (this I suppose was from Nike Art Gallery, correct me if I’m wrong). It is quite exceptional how tyre can be manipulated into such beautiful works.
Being a dedicated lover of art, you could see the pure excitement in my eyes.
Runway Action
The fashion buzz was on a high as I viewed the amazing designs showcased on the runway. It was an awesome experience really, some of the designs on the runway were available for purchase at the exhibition!
Designer: Chidinma Obairi
Designer: Style Temple
Other designers on the run way; Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Taibo Bacar, Lanre Da Silva Ajayi and David Tlale.
It was absolutely lovely seeing Ayo, a specially talented lady who is the founder of Circa 64 and My Creative Safari. With her also, was the ever smiling Azeezah sharing her beautiful smile as ever.
Just because you can’t help but shop from all the beautiful goodness in the Fashion Weekend, one of the shopping spots I had to stop by was the Hesey Designs’ stall. I had spoken with Hesey in the past and was happy to finally meet her. She makes really lovely products that I couldn’t help but buy one of her gorgeous sling bags.
The GTBank Fashion Weekend was awesome! I had an amazing time meeting friends, making new ones and learning.
This fashion weekend by GTBank attracted various fashion designers such as Julien Macdonald, Toju Foyeh, Adama Paris; photographers such as Ty Bello, beauty enthusiasts, Sam Fine, fashion enthusiasts and lovers of all things beautiful.
The most amazing part of this event by GTBank was that the over 80 exhibitors in attendance didn’t have to pay a kobo to exhibit. They were chosen based on the quality of their craftsmanship. They all made sales and new prospects for their business.
I hope you enjoyed reading this and I’m sure you’ve shared in the experience through the pictures.
Congrats to Mr Segun Agbaje and his team at GTBank for an amazing job done.
I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for us from GTBank 🙂
You can always catch up with our daily activities on social media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn and more.
Also, you can let us know if you would like to purchase any of the Bellafricana Verified businesses’ products. If you would like to see more pictures of creative African Inspired products, why not checkout out LISTING PAGE, you will find lot of amazing products there.
I will like to hear from you in the comment area below.
Thanks for reading!
