Malawi’s designer Alfonso returns to London: Organises Lilongwe fashion show
Ahead of her second trip to London this summer, designer Lilly Alfonso will this Saturday host a fashion show at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe to give Malawians a chance to decide which creations she should showcase at Anglo Nubia “Africa The Experience”.
Alfonso will be traveling to the United Kingdom next week for the inaugural Anglo Nubia night of fashion at the prestigious Millennium Gloucester Hotel in the fashionable district of south Kensington in London on October 27.
“In a tradition that is synonymous with the Lilly Alfonso brand, I will be paying respect to the motherland and let the nation choose the outfits I should take to London,” she told Nyasa Times.
Added Alfonso: “I will always show my country first before I show elsewhere because I don’t want people to search for my work on the internet.”
She will be coming out with tie and dye fabric made locally by Chrissie Mijiga and will be introducing new material made at the Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA).
Dubbed Lilly Alfonso: “Keep The Fire Burning”, the designer, whose outfits are winning the hearts of many fashionistas locally and internationally, will exhibit 20 outfits and patrons will choose the best 10 to be showcased at the Anglo Nubia.
Saying she would also like to share her progress, the Lilongwe-based designer promised she will be bringing more fun to the show as she will be dressing three different generations, from the sixties to twenties.
“Many think what is shown on the catwalk is for small people, but I am trying to show that everything is possible and that people must learn to use imagination on the outfits be it short, it can be long and accommodate what they prefer,” she pointed out.
During the show this Saturday, up-and-coming Afro-Pop/R&B musicians Piksy of ‘Unamata’ and Armstrong of ‘Ndamusowa’ will also entertain the patrons as they are expected to perform.
Commenting on her invitation to London, Alfonso said she was amazed with the international recognition that she is getting following her appearance at the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL).
“It is overwhelming and I am proud as a Malawian that through the works of my hands, the Malawi flag is being represented at such prestigious platforms,” said Alfonso, while proudly disclosing that she is dressing Miss West Africa runner-up, Ghanaian Tonisha Tagoe, who works for VOX Africa and Africa Channel in the UK as a producer.
Anglo Nubia is a UK based online retail company which provides a multi- level platform for designers, brands and companies inspired by the many cultures of Africa to reach an international market with their products.
The red carpet event will host individuals from all walks of the fashion and entertainment industry, giving designers the opportunity to showcase their designs to an array of individuals from buyers and fashion gurus to investors and fashion publications.
According to an invitation letter sent to Lilly Alfonso, each designer will be given up to 10 exits on the runway and Anglo Nubia will be providing models, makeup artists and hair stylists for all the designers on the night.
“As an extra, all designers who showcase will automatically be given six months free trading on anglonubia.com, Public relations support and receive invitations throughout the year to take part in our seasonal campaign photo shoots and commercials,” reads the letter signed by
Bridget Addow, administrative director of Anglo Numbia.
