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UEL fashion star nominated as Retailer of the Year at Scottish Fashion Awards

Monday 27 June 2011

Bunmi Olaye and Francis Udom of Bunmi Koko

Bunmi Olaye, who graduated from the University of East London last year, was in Glasgow last week following a nomination for Retailer of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards.

Bunmi who attended the event, at the futuristic Glasgow Science Centre, with partner Francis Udom, co-directors of luxury fashion brand Bunmi Koko, was nominated for the award alongside Mackintosh, Spoiled Brat, and ROX. The award was won by diamond specialists, ROX, and although Bunmi Koko did not win, it was a great night for the brand and marked their first major award nomination in the UK.

Bunmi Koko co-director Francis Udom thanked the Scottish fashion industry for recognizing the brand in this way. Udom, who wore a kilt for the event, is the adoptive great-great grandson of Scottish Missionary Mary Slessor, celebrated for her humanitarian work in Nigeria in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The red-carpet ceremony was attended by the British fashion and creative elite, from music legends such as Dame Shirley Bassey, Lulu and founder of the MOBO Awards, Kanya King, to fashion icons such as Rankin and influential fashion journalist Hilary Alexander.

Bunmi said: “ We had such a fantastic time, the evening was a delightful and memorable one and we really thank Tessa Hartman, founder of Scottish Fashion Awards, for organising these awards each year and for her continued support for the Scottish fashion industry.”

Bunmi Koko is currently based at the University of East London Knowledge Dock, the only European Business Network (EBN) accredited Business Innovation Centre in London, while Bunmi is an ambassador for women’s entrepreneurship at the University.

UEL aims to be the number one university in Europe for women’s entrepreneurship by the end of the decade.

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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