- Title: Supermodel Naomi Campbell urges Vogue to launch African edition
- Date: 2nd April 2018
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARISE FASHION WEEK CO-PRODUCER, RUTH OSIME, SAYING: "Now the good thing is, like African music, we are now being respected for our culture, we are now being ambassadors to promote the richness of our culture, the amount of colours we have within our environment and we have taken to another level, we have mixed it with a bit of European culture and I m
- Embargoed: 16th April 2018 17:05
- Keywords: fashion naomi campbell arise fashion week designs
- Location: LAGOS, NIGERIA
- City: LAGOS, NIGERIA
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Fashion
- Reuters ID: LVA00489QKGUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO AS INCOMING
Supermodel Naomi Campbell said on Sunday (April 1) said Vogue magazine should launch an African edition to recognize the continent's contribution to a global fashion industry that has been criticized for its lack of diversity.
Campbell, who was visiting Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos, to appear on the runway at Arise Fashion Week, said there was a need for better representation of the continent.
"Africa has never had the opportunity to be able to have and be out there, and their fabric and their materials and their designs being accepted on a global platform like the other countries and now I think it's about to change and it should be like that. It shouldn't be that way, it should be like everywhere else," said the British-born Campbell.
Condé Nast International, which publishes Vogue, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The global fashion industry has attracted criticism in the past few years because most models for major designers and fashion houses are white.
"Now the good thing is, like African music, we are now being respected for our culture, we are now being ambassadors to promote the richness of our culture, the amount of colours we have within our environment and we have taken to another level, we have mixed it with a bit of European culture and I must say that I am extremely proud of what some of our seasoned designers have done over time. Some of them are now globally known, there are new ones coming, they still have a long way to go but like their predecessors before them, they will in another couple of years will also excel," said Arise Fashion Week co-producer Ruth Osime.
The event has made a comeback after a six-year hiatus.
It showcased couture from 45 designers from 14 countries including Tanzania, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, the UK and the US among others.
The top designers from here will go on to participate in New York Fashion Week.
ARISE, the synonym for Africa Rising was first held in Lagos 11 years ago to help put Nigeria firmly on the global fashion scene.
"I don't think that we are more important because we are being discovered by the outside. We always were important, we've always worn these clothes. It is interesting and nice that we are getting noticed for our things but it is nothing new to us, we have always dressed like this... we have got a lot of style and its nothing new. The world is lucky that they are getting to see, you know what we have done all this time," said Salamatu Gbajabiamila, a fashion enthusiast.
"It is taking Africa to the world by bringing different people who work with designers internationally like international stylists, international models, international media... to come through and check local designers and that really it is helping us to look forward in taking our brands internationally," said Orapeleng Modutule, a South African designer.
The event started on March 30 and runs until Tuesday April 2. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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