NIGER: International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA) promoted by Nigerien stylist Alphadi turns Niamey into a fashion capital

Record ID: 235443

  • Title: NIGER: International Festival of African Fashion (FIMA) promoted by Nigerien stylist Alphadi turns Niamey into a fashion capital
  • Date: 30th November 2011
  • Summary: NIAMEY, NIGER (RECENT) (REUTERS) MODELS ON THE CATWALK AUDIENCE MORE OF MODELS FIMA (AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FASHION FESTIVAL) LOGO PROJECTED ON CATWALK WALK WALL MORE OF MODELS ON CATWALK VARIOUS OF MODELS HAVING THEIR HAIR STYLED BACKSTAGE AT THE FASHION SHOW CLOTHES ON HANGER MODEL APPLYING LIP GLOSS BACKSTAGE MODEL WEARING DRESS BACKSTAGE VARIOUS OF CATWALK SHOW AUDIENCE MORE OF CATWALK WOMEN WATCHING MODELS ON CATWALK (SOUNDBITE) (French) ALPHADI, NIGERIEN DESIGNER SAYING: "We're an open country, without problems. It's important that people, our friends in Europe come and visit us and like us. That's why FIMA continues to thrive." JUDGES WATCHING CATWALK SHOW VARIOUS OF MARTHA GOUANJIKA WINNER OF YOUNG DESIGNER AWARD ON CATWALK WITH MODELS (SOUNDBITE) (French) MARTHA GOUANJIKA WINNER OF YOUNG DESIGNER AWARD SAYING: "I think that it's a very ready to wear style, very marketable because those are the clothes we want to wear, that everybody can wear, I think today they judged that I was ready, I think they judged that I'm ready to go into the world of fashion." WINNER OF TOP MODEL ON CATWALK WIDE VIEW OF CATWALK AND AUDIENCE DIARRA BOCAR THIAM TOP MODEL RECEIVING AWARD (SOUNDBITE) (French) NGBENOU SINCLAIR, SPECTATOR SAYING: "If you're talking about fashion here then there are new people, young people who are proving themselves. We're seeing new things and truly this is what makes me most excited. The whole event has been carried out very well." VARIOUS OF MODELS ON CATWALK FOR FINAL SHOW
  • Embargoed: 15th December 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Niger, Niger
  • Country: Niger
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVABWW8BWDYNAGJDXYH25SAM2CZF
  • Story Text: Designers, models and fashionistas were out in force in Niger's capital Niamey last week for the 2011 Festival of African Fashion or FIMA. The event was founded a few years ago by the Nigerien designer Alphadi who now lives in Paris and wanted a platform back home for upcoming African designers.
    This year's event was the biggest it's ever been, showcasing the very latest cuts and styles from a whole host of the continent's leading stars and some newer arrivals.
    Back stage models queued up to have hair and makeup perfected before hitting the runway.
    On the catwalk, silhouettes were dramatic and the cuts curvaceous with prints representing a mixture of modern and traditional African styles.
    Speaking to the crowd from the catwalk, Alphadi said the event should lure industry experts from Europe to Niger to see what West Africa has to offer.
    "We're an open country, without problems. It's important that people, our friends in Europe come and visit us and like us. That's why FIMA continues to thrive," he said.
    A panel of judges awarded prizes for best designer and best young designer as well as best model. Winner of this year's young designer was Martha Gouanjika.
    "I think that it's a very ready to wear style, very marketable because those are the clothes we want to wear, that everybody can wear, I think today they judged that I was ready, I think they judged that I'm ready to go into the world of fashion," she said.
    Other fashion houses displaying work at the show were Jean Paul Gaultier, Anna Getaneh, Imane Ayissi and Jeddah Khan.
    The award for top female model went to Diarra Bocar Thiam who stalked the catwalk in an almost sheer floor length black evening gown encrusted with jewels.
    Spectator Ngbenou Sinclair said one of the best things about the event was the fact its A chance for new faces and new talents to emerge on Niger's fashion scene.
    "If you're talking about fashion here then there are new people, young people who are proving themselves. We're seeing new things and truly this is what makes me most excited. The whole event has been carried out very well," he said.
    Seidnaly Sidahmed Alphadi also known as 'Magician of the Desert' in fashion circles is one of West Africa's most notorious designers. He was born in Timbuktu, Mali but moved as a young boy to Niger where both his parents are from.
    He studied fashion in Paris and launched his own label in 1984.
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