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Former Prime Minister says he is proud of Bunmi, UEL’s fashion star and Creative Director of Bunmi Koko

Thursday 9 December 2010

Bunmi Olaye, Francis Udom and Gordon Brown

University of East London fashion graduate, Bunmi Olaye, has added yet another statesperson to her list of fans after former Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised her work at an event held at Banqueting House this week.

Bunmi and her partner Francis Udom, attended the invitation-only event: Nigeria: The Road to the Centenary (1914 - 2014), which marked the start of celebrations to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary as an amalgamated nation.

Also in attendance were Nigeria Minister of Communications and Information, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor Central Bank of Nigeria and Chief Goodsday Orubebe, Minister for the Niger Delta, former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Ozwald Boateng.

The meeting marked yet another milestone in Bunmi’s relationship with some of the World’s most iconic international figures. Despite having only graduated earlier this month, she was personally invited to meet with Nelson Mandela after her show at Africa Fashion Week earlier in the year and has been in direct correspondence with the White House over designs for a coat for Michelle Obama.

Most recently, she was invited, as one of the UK’s most exciting and leading new designers, to comment on how she would dress Kate Middleton for her wedding to Prince William.

Gordon Brown congratulated Bunmi and Francis on their success to date and said he was proud of what they were doing for the fashion industry.

Francis Udom, whose Great, Great Grandmother is Mary Slessor, the celebrated Aberdeen-born missionary who appears on the Scottish Clydesdale Ten pound note, was told by the former Prime Minister that they should all ‘meet up soon in Aberdeen’. Gordon Brown’s mother is also from the city.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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