Mai Atafo, Andrea Iyamah, April by Kunbi, others light up first day of LBFW

The biggest bridal fashion show the country has seen is upon us already and is delivering the best, the richest and latest trends in bridal fashion the industry has to offer.

Day 1 had electric daytime installation showings from Andrea Iyamah, April by Kunbi, Mai Atafo and evening runway showings from Bridals by Ivy, Elizabeth and Lace Bridal, Otumemine, Poosh Bespoke, Shadiat Alaasoke, Bibi Lawrence and Yemi Shoyemi. Showing off beautiful pieces after the other, the designs left the crowd gasping for more. Attendees also had the opportunity to visit exhibition stands and attend master classes.

Founded by the Call Her Classic Fashion Agency, Lagos Bridal Fashion Week (LBFW) is an initiative established to promote the Nigerian Bridal Fashion industry throughout the African continent and beyond.

The ultimate destination for bridal fashion, the three-day event is billed to be the first-of- its-kind experience for brides and grooms-to-be, bridal stylists, buyers and other key stakeholders, as all of the people in this sphere and more gathered under one roof yesterday, to be continued today and tomorrow.

The event, which is a three-day experience, will feature a curated list of Pan-African bridal designers for the daily runway shows and brands at the LBFW Bridal Boutique. The boutique will house a collection of vendors retailing bridal (and wedding) items as well as private rooms for consultations with designers and bridal stylists.

Organisers of the event, the Call Her Classic team said: “LBFW is responding to the growing demand and patronage for indigenous brands with regards to bridal fashion. This shift in narrative is welcomed as it supports local businesses and their revenue-generating potential, and as such, it should be encouraged. It is for this reason Lagos Bridal Fashion Week was created, a platform that aims to promote Africa’s finest brands as well as facilitate an environment for commerce.”

While dwelling on the benefits the event, Ayomide Amosun-Dabiri, CEO, Call Her Classic, said it would help to impact on local designers, as they would have access to interact and learn from their foreign counterparts. “Also, because our local designers would be showcasing their works at the LBFW, it would bring more patronage to our local fashion industry while boosting tourism for the country.”

According to her, the event would have people planning their weddings come to Nigeria so they can have an opportunity to engage with the big brands.Today would have masterclasses and showings from both local and international designers from the U.K, U.S.A and South Africa and promises to be enthralling. Designers to look forward to today include Mazelle, Patrick Ayanski, Yinka Alli, Alonoku, Virgos Lounge, Imad Eduso, David Tlale, Kimono Kollection and Brides by Nona.