Lagos Fashion Week’s annual calendar consists of programmes to support emerging talents within the fashion industry. This year, Fashion Focus Fund for finalists and Fashion Focus Fund: Sunlight Prize return for their 3rd and 2nd editions respectively.
In 2018, Fashion Focus Fund opened up the programme to include applicants from across Africa. The 2018/2019 finalists are: Haute Baso (Rwanda), Katush by Katungulu Mwendwa (Kenya), ILI Nigeria, Nao.Li.La (Angola) and Larry Jay (Ghana) and on Wednesday 22nd April 2020, one of these designers will be awarded a grant of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) and mentorship as the Fashion Focus Fund 2020 recipient.
However, due to recent events around the world, and new cases of Covid-19 in Nigeria, LagosFW has taken the decision to redesign the format slightly. The pitch sessions for all Fashion Focus Fund events this season will be digitally presented to a body of Judges at a live event across our social media platforms.
Last year, Lagos Fashion Week and Sunlight Nigeria introduced The Fashion Focus Fund: Sunlight Prize, an initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of female entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. Last year’s recipients were Chechi Arinze and Titi Belo who received a monetary prize of N2,000,000 each (Two Million Naira) after successfully pitching before a panel.
Omoyemi Akerele, Founder of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files commented, “The provision of grant and mentorship opportunities is crucial to growth for emerging designers across Africa. Fashion Focus Fund and the Sunlight Prize are avenues we utilize to support our gradually evolving industry. It is our hope that this consistent support will contribute to the overall growth of the African fashion industry.”
This year, the Fashion Focus Fund: Sunlight Prize has opened applications to young female entrepeneurs across Nigeria from where 3 winners will be selected. Each Sunlight Prize winner will be awarded a grant of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira), and the opportunity to create the annual Sunlight Collection.
Online applications for the initiative opens Monday 30th March 2020 and the final deadline for applications is Friday 10th April 2020. 9 successful applicants will be notified on Wednesday 15th April 2020 and invited to the live pitch event on Wednesday 22nd April 2020, where 3 winners will be announced.
Entry Criteria for The Fashion Focus Fund: Sunlight Prize 2020:
· Female owned fashion brand
· Minimum of 2 previous collections
· Currently produces commercially (empowers others)
To apply for The Sunlight Prize 2020 visit our website: http://lagosfashionweek.ng/sunlightprize2020/
Fashion Focus Fund is an initiative of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, Supported by @Sunlight_Nigeria
For more information on Fashion Focus Africa follow us on Instagram @lagosfashionweekofficial
