Tony Okafor, Awka
Adaoro, the daughter of the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has described fashion as mankind’s modes of expression from time immemorial.
She said because of deep passion for fashion she had to abandon the field of economics which she graduated in, adding, “Beyond serving as an item of clothing to protect against the elements, it has over time transformed to embody and exert the core essence of man’s identity.”
She stated these on Wednesday at a press conference at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, in the Awka South Local Government Area of the state, prelude to her programmed tagged “Anambra Fashion Expo, ” stating that the event would be divided into three segments.
She said,”The first is the exhibition which would be like a trade fare for everything fashion, and it would run from 8am to 6pm.The next is the Masterclass. It would commence at exactly 9am to 12pm .And the final segment would be the fashion runway show, which would commence at exactly 3pm to 6pm
“Through fashion, our people have been able to communicate without saying a word. Expressing their rich heritage, their diversity, their ingenuity with every strand in the fabric serving as a genetic code passing down the expressions of the great and proud people that came before us.
“Every day, humans struggle to meet their basic needs which include shelter, food and what to wear. All these needs and how they are met have cultural prescriptions, thus there are indigenous architecture, foods and fashion styles/clothing that identify a people and make them distinct from other people.
She said while culture was dynamic and would evolve over time, cultural identities were resilient and must find expression in-between times.
She added, “Aorah( her business name) has over the years sort to provide cultural contexts to fashion whether they are Western, African, Nigerian or Igbo; the craft of fashion can be best appreciated from autochtonous perspective.”
She said the Akwete fabric was the only surviving piece of indigenous textile cultivated, woven, sewn and worn by Ndị Igbo of South-East; produced largely by women from the rural Akwete community in Abia State, stating “this resilient piece of colourful clothing faces the threat of extinction by a number of social and economic factors.”
She said,” Fashion is not just a basic need for humans, it is also a means of subsistence for many. Creating an ecosystem where indigenous fashion can thrive and made available for export is not only fantastic economics but also a major strategy for bridging the widening unemployment gap of the country.”
“Akwete, like every other fabric, is colourful and confers a unique feeling of royalty on its wearers. It can be dimensioned in line with the designer’s choice, fit for quick urban wears, and for all classes of social events. It comes with an aura of pride only found in those who consume what they produce. In recent times, the fabric has gained ascendancy following its adoption by the Anambra State Governor as his official attire. Other top Government functionaries and leaders have also adorned this fabric of choice.
“Anambra Fashion Expo 2022, celebrate the resilience of the Akwete women who have over the years ensured that the akwete fabric found a space on our fashion map.
“And for this premier edition of AFE, we celebrate the ingenuity of the past, its influences on the present and the courage of daring the future.
“From the young innovative designer breaking all known norms and daring to innovate, to the women occupying the same stool as their forebearers had sat on hundred years ago, perfecting the act of weaving the beautiful Akwaete fabric, in the preservation of a century-old skill, we seek to connect our future to our past.
“To us, fashion is everlasting and ever-evolving. In-between time for all times.”
