Agbani to host Port Harcourt International Fashion Week

World beauty queen and super model, Agbani Darego, has been named as the host of the 2013 Port Harcourt International Fashion Week themed, ‘Native & Vogue.’
A Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative of the state government, the three-day fashion week event, which is scheduled for September 20th to 22nd will bring together professional fashion designers from Nigeria and the international community.
Designed to provide a platform for up-and-coming designers to undergo tutelage under the mentorship of professionals, the 3-day event will also have young designers showcase their works in a competition that will have the winner go home with a cash prize of N500, 000 and an all-expenses paid six months scholarship to the reputable Capecon Fashion School, South Africa.
Agbani, who 12 years ago won the title of Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and Miss
World respectively and more recently, is one of Africa’s most successful models noted that her decision to accept the hosting of the maiden edition of the Port Harcourt International Fashion Week was more to her a privilege and honour.
“It was under the platform of Rivers State that I came to win the MBGN title and thereafter the Miss World trophy in 2001. So, accepting to host an initiative of the state government that seeks to promote, encourage young and aspiring designers and models into the professional world is one that I would gladly support and in-fact, I see it as an honour to have been considered for the role.”
The Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari stated that the government is powering the project in partnership with the public sector because of its commitment to restoring the state to its rightful place of glory and make it a destination of choice for business, tourism, fashion and entertainment.
Semenitari noted that Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration’s rebranding effort in Rivers State is looking at the elements of change and focusing on the creative economy to attract more people to the state. Native & Vogue she noted, is a platform to harmonize the energy of Rivers’ young people and provide them with new opportunities to express themselves.