Winners Unveiled at Zarita Fashion and Arts Fusion in Lagos

Mary Nnah

The StellaRita Awelle Humanitarian Foundation recently hosted the maiden edition of the Zarita Fashion and Arts Fusion (ZAFAF2024), where winners emerged in the creativity and arts talent competition.
The colourful show, anchored by ace comedian Seyi Law, took place at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, on November 17, 2024, in Lagos State.

In her opening remarks, the convener, Ambassador (Dr.) StellaRita Awelle Nwachukwu Asogwa, stated that the platform was created to showcase and empower African creatives in fashion and arts. She emphasized the importance of empowering talented youth to start their creative busineses and contribute to the growth and development of the nation’s economy.

“The Nigerian fashion and arts industry is an untapped market that is rich and has high dividends and returns on investment when marketed and strategically positioned globally,” Dr. Asogwa said. “I look forward to a time when the Nigerian fashion and art market is ranked among the best in the world.”

“There are lots of talented youth who are out there looking for opportunities to be seen and empowered to start off their creative business and add to the growth and development of the economy of the nation,” Dr. Asogwa added.

The theme of ZAFAF2024 was “The Time Traveler,” which drew inspiration from the past, present, and future. The event also featured the “Waste to Art challenge,” where creatives from across Nigeria displayed their talents by transforming waste materials into masterpieces and wearable art.

According to the participants, the inspiration behind the challenge was to show the transient nature of the items and to bring new life to items that might have been forgotten or considered useless.

The winners of the competition included Solomon Chidinma Miracle, who won the Coca Cola Prize for the Zarita Fashion and Arts Fusion Waste to Art challenge 2024. Other winners included Dehinbo Busayo Adebisi, Abraham Adewole Ayomide, and Daniel Douglas Owoicho.

Solomon Chidinma Miracle is an Ebonyi State-born graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the Alex Ekwueme Federal University. She is a visual artist interested in sustainability and passionately focuses on transforming discarded materials into beautiful masterpieces.

Dehinbo Busayo Adebisi is the brain behind Molade Designs. The Ogun State-born is a penultimate student of the University of Lagos, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Insurance. She came second runner-up at the Zarita Fashion and Arts Fusion 2024.

Abraham Adewole Ayomide, with his exceptional artistic ingenuity, was the first runner-up at the Zarita Fashion and Arts Fusion 2024. He is a multidisciplinary visual artist from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. He holds a National Diploma (ND) in Art and Design at The Polytechnic of Ibadan in 2024, where he honed his skills in blending abstract and realistic figures.

Daniel Douglas Owoicho hails from Benue State. He is a graduate of Social Studies from the University of Ibadan. As a passionate dancer, he loves to make magic with his feet. He is the winner of the just-concluded Zarita Fashion and Arts Fusion 2024 held in Lagos.

The event attracted dignitaries, including the Managing Director of Ibile Holdings Ltd, Mr. Tobi Lawal, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, Hamman Kwarajafa. The audience was also entertained by self-taught guitarist Dtone Martins Dolapo and FunmiSax, a Nigerian female saxophonist.

Ambassador Dr. StellaRita Awelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MBA. She is a businesswoman with a diverse portfolio spanning beauty, fashion, and companies in the food industry. She runs Marcoriano Chinese Restaurant and Zarita Kouture & Academy in Abuja. She is also a philanthropist committed to empowering women and youth through the StellaRita Awelle Humanitarian Foundation.

ZAFAF2024 was more than just an event; it was a platform for creatives to showcase their talents, network, and gain exposure. The StellaRita Awelle Humanitarian Foundation is committed to empowering African creatives and promoting the growth and development of the fashion and arts industry in Nigeria and beyond.