Oluwakayode Etti of Skentele by Etti is the winner of the 2017 Vlisco Fashion Fund!
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| Vlisco Fashion Fund 2017 Winner Presentation Event (Pulse) Oluwakayode Etti of Skentele by Etti has emerged the winner of the Vlisco Fashion Fund for 2017.Going home with a N2Million naira price, Etti launched the Afrocentric brand; Skentele By Etti few months ago is dedicated to portraying African designs mixed with Western accents that can compete with what obtains globally.  The annual Vlisco Fashion Fund is put in place by the leading fashion and textile brand to support fashion designers/tailors, illustrations and more in the fashion industry. Vlisco "aims to develop and support upcoming tailors and designers to become established professionals through various initiatives". The Vlisco Fashion Fund supports designers in starting and strengthening their own fashion businesses giving the winner of the annual competition a chance to win N2Million and a masterclass. The 2017 edition got over 500 applications from fashion designers who submitted their portfolio, CV and business plans, they were later reduced to 40 where the final 3 Uchenna Smith of CheChe Smith Nation, Oluwakayode Etti of Skentele By Etti and Boma Inko-Tariah of Beldies La Mode were selected.  play Vlisco Fashion Fund 2017 finalist; Cheche Smith getting a gift from Head Human Resources - Vlisco Nigeria; Yvonne Chioke (Pulse)  The finalists were given a task to produce business and cocktail outfits using Vlisco fabrics, the outfits were presented to a panel including top fashion designer Lanre Da Silva Ajayi, Joan Ibuzo of House of Marie, Afua Osei of She leads Africa, Dotun Akande of Patrick Speech and Language Centre/Vlisco Ambassador, fashion illustrators Mr Uche and Mr Ethan. After thorough deliberation, the winner Oluwakayode Etti emerged winning the N2Million cash prize and a masterclass. The Fashion Fund is one of Vlisco's initiative that invests in the African Fashion industry, seeks to empower women and young creatives and entrepreneurs creating a platform to connect Africa's fashion talent and creativity to global fashion industry.  Head Human Resources - Vlisco Nigeria; Yvonne Chioke, Uche Uba, Joan Ibuzo, Oluwakayode Etti and Dotun Akande at the Vlisco Fashion Fund 2017 winner presentation (Pulse) Vlisco has been creating unique textiles; Dutch Wax/Wax Hollandais since 1846. Their textiles are known for their wax effects, distinct colour mixes and designs. They employ a wax process which originates from elaborate batik techniques that ensures that every inch of the fabric is unique. The brand has become a standard for creating authentic Dutch wax today as each fabric stands true to Dutch craftsmanship.  The textile brand is currently working on a tailoring centre in Lagos and Kaduna and is in partnership with Style House Files to equip creatives interested in the fashion industry. |
