The Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, in collaboration with Mac89 Xperience Fashion, has held the 7th Annual Fashion Exhibition show with the theme “Keep Moving”, and aimed at expressing fashion through Nigeria styles and designs.
The State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, in her address at the event, stated that the show was a result of the government’s support for vocational training and up-skilling of youths.
She said that Lagos, through its Skills Acquisition Centres spread across the State, has been creating jobs and employers of labour, just as it continued to invest in unemployed youths through the sustainable development programmes of the Ministry to equip them for the rapidly changing dynamics in the labour market.
Disclosing that some unemployed youths who were beneficiaries of the sustainable development programmes collaborated with the Ministry to organise the show, the Commissioner added that the exhibition was geared towards showcasing their creativity in the art of fashion and design of new products.
Arobieke stressed that the State Government supported the fashion exhibition to avail the budding fashion designers the needed support and encouragement, while leveraging on the platform to expose their artistic talent in the fashion industry.
While noting that the Fashion Show will also enable participants to continually sharpen their skills, serve as mentors to upcoming young ones as well as provide employment opportunities to others, she expressed her appreciation to Mac89 Xperience and others for putting the show together.
The Commissioner also applauded the launching of a Mobile Application called “DND” (Design Next Door), which was built to connect local designers to the Global Market by making it easier, safer and convenient for users to buy fabric, choose or submit designed styles, body measurement and get garment delivery to doorsteps in few clicks.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Kafayat Ajenifuja, said the Fashion Exhibition show was a manifestation of the government’s continued investment and interest in formulating policies to support and advance the course of youths as future leaders by promoting grassroots entrepreneurship.
She said part of the proceeds from the events will be used to establish training centres for the “TRAIN UP A TEEN” initiative as well as support the Fashion Industry to further inspire the production of more “Made in Nigeria” clothing and use of African Print Fabrics that are applicable to day-to-day fashion.
Expressing his gratitude to the State government, the Creative Director of Mac89, Mr. Michael Ikediashi, said there is a greater hope and bright future for grassroots entrepreneurs as Mac89 Fashion Xperience has become a successful tool for promoting, creating wealth and sustaining productive entrepreneurs in the State with the massive support from the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment.
Highlights of the event included the showcase of runway designs and presentation of gifts, industrial Machines and mannequins to some designers
