Naomi Campbell Strutts the Runway at Arise Fashion Week - Lagos

South African label Kluk CGDT, had Naomi open their runway show.

After a six year hiatus, Arise Fashion Week made a comeback with a bang in Nigeria.  This time with the support of heavy hitters like Supermodel Naomi Campbell.  Nobody knew or would have ever expected to see Naomi strutting down the runway at a fashion week in Nigeria.  She opened the shows for some designers including Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, where she strutted like only she could, in a gold fringed dress.

Naomi opened the show for Lanre Da Silva Ajayi.
Image courtesy indianexpress.com

The fashion icon was also sharing behind the scenes photos and videos on her social media.  It was the much needed attention that the African fashion industry needed.  Having one of the industry's most respected and influential people posting about the shows was fantastic. Campbell, who is currently a contributing editor at Vogue UK, shared her thoughts of the experience upon returning to London.  She said that she left Nigeria with so much happiness that she didn't want to leave.  She went on to say she hadn't felt so much love like that in a long time.

Designers that presented collections during Arise Fashion Week included Ozwald Boateng, Alara, Tiffany Amber, Tinie Tempah, Kluk CGDT and many more.  With a big spotlight on Arise this year, let's hope this is the gateway to many more in the years to come.  We don't want another long hiatus after the last. 

Image Credit: Tomas Herold, styled by Jenke Ahmed.     

Campbell has become a big advocate for all things Africa in recent months.  She's continued to become more vocal about the value of diversity in the industry and has even called for the creation of a Vogue Africa edition.  She says it's time. 

Ozwald Boateng collection.  Image: Ingstagram @ozwald_boateng