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UEL graduate Bunmi chosen to represent Africa at New York Fashion Week

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Bunmi Koko

University of East London fashion graduate Bunmi Olaye has just returned from Arise Magazine Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria, where her collections were rapturously received. Following her show at the event she has now been chosen from over 50 designers to represent Africa at New York Fashion Week later this year.

The graduate, who runs luxury fashion label Bunmi Koko with her partner Francis Udom, was invited to showcase three collections at the event. They chose to show a few garments from each collection to give a taste to the audience of how Bunmi Koko has grown as a brand since first finding success last year. During their time in Nigeria they were also followed by an ITV news crew.

The collections shown were Geisha’s Reform (inspired by a 1940s Japanese film about the life of a Geisha), Matriarchy (celebrating female empowerment and domination) and Kaleidoscopia, inspired by the properties of light. The Kaleidoscopia collection was first exhibited earlier this year at London Fashion Week.

The event ended with a number of awards including the announcement that the brand had been selected to represent Africa at New York Fashion Week, in September this year. Bunmi said:  “It will be an honour to represent Africa at New York Fashion Week, all the hard work in house and backstage really did pay off.”

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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