For Ifeanyi Nwune, a 300 level student of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, last Saturday would certainly be memorable in his life as he won the best designer of the year in the school’s annual fashion show, Redefinition.
And for coming first in the keenly contested competition, Ifeanyi went home with N100, 000, being the top prize for the competition.
The popular saying, ‘proper preparation prevents poor performance,’ would have been in the minds of the students when they were preparing for the fifth edition of the show.
The Show was designed to create a platform for emerging designers, models, photographers, make-up artists, graphic artists and hair stylists among the students to showcase their talents.
For those who had thought private universities’ undergraduates live triangular lives –hostel, lecture rooms, library – last weekend’s show would certainly change that perception. It was a period of talents display and more fun.
In its fifth edition, this year’s fashion show, tagged ‘monochrome,’ presented an avenue for the students to showcase their abilities in the world of art and design. Indeed, nothing was left to imagination.
The show, which was conceived and organised by students under the aegis of The Students Council, the umbrella body for all students in the school, was thrilling enough to amaze everyone who had little expectations.
The word monochrome means using different shades of only one colour. From the preparations to the finishing, it was a show that would compete favourably with any of its kind.
According to the Chairman, Organising Committee, Miss Umanah Favour, the programme had become a tradition in the school, which students and interested individuals looked forward to.
“The programme was to showcase designers and models who have propensity for talent-related acts and to enable students to have an idea of what obtains in fashion shows outside the school environment,” she added.
Participating in the show as an artist or artiste was at a cost because being a student-driven initiative, Favour said they had to source for funds by themselves and that the students were prepared to give all that was needed to ensure its success.
Before the commencement of the programme, the Cafeteria 1 hall in the school was buzzing with the organisers and participants – the performers, friends and well-wishers. It was a sight to behold.
Expectedly, to attend such an event would come at a price, but regardless of the price tag on the ticket for entry, the students attended the event en masse, not even the sitting arrangement, which was sectioned into Regulars, VIPs and VVIPs at varied prices could deter them. The hall was filled to capacity.
The competition, which was keenly contested, featured cat-walking, performance by some artistes who rendered soul-inspiring songs, and fashion designers who took turns to display their products. The audience was ecstatic!
One of the organisers, Marvellous Michael, who spoke extensively with our correspondent, described the programme as an annual event that had become too important to ignore.
“From the testimonies we have heard from some former participants, the show had helped them in their chosen careers because the show helps students interested in fashion, arts and style polish their skills,” she added.
Our correspondent learnt that all the costumes, make-ups, designs, hair styles, stage decoration, lightings were done by the students with no external support or assistance.
Anchored by Davina Oki and Lanre Shonubi, some could barely enjoy their seats as they had to stand so as not to miss any part of the show. Applauses rented the air from time to time due to the commendable performances.
Choosing the very best among the performers was, according to the judges, a serious task. The moment to reward the winners brought along with it some measure of suspense; hopes were high and expectations were noticeably bold.
The best designer Ifeanyi Nwune, and the two runners-up would have their clothes showcased for sale online by the shops in the institution and they meet designers and photography celebrities in Nigeria.
A 17-year-old 100 level student, David Ogbe, emerged as the male model of the year and 19-year-old Gbemisola Alonge emerged as the female model of the year. They got N20,000 each.
Both of them would also host radio shows on Hebron FM, the official radio station of the institution. Also, they would be the face of Covenant University for the next one year and on the pages of the institution’s adverts.
The presenter of the year award was given to Davina Oriaki, a 400 level Accounting student who co-anchored the show.
In an interview with our correspondent, one of the participants in the modelling competition, Obajoluwa Ayotola, described the programme as fun and helpful. “I feel honoured to be a part of the show and I learnt many things from other models and artists. To continue being a model after my education may not be a bad idea for me, so the programme has helped a lot.”
A cross section of students who spoke to our correspondent expressed their satisfaction with the show and said they looked forward to the next edition with greater expectations. (Punch)