Nigeria’s Lvhm prize 2019 finalist Kenneth Ize was the big winner at this years Arise fashion week which held from the 5th – 12th, 2020. After two days of fierce competition on the grandest runway in Africa, ARISE Fashion Week, Kenneth Ize has emerged winner of the 30 Under 30 competition. The emotional winner found himself grasping for words as Naomi Campbell announced him winner of the event that kicked off on Thursday, December 10. Ize is rewarded with a $100,000 cash prize while runners-up Ré Lagos and South African Mmuso Maxwell receive $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. The three winners emerged from a pool of eight designers which included Lagos Space Programme, Ziva Lagos, TJWho, Onalaja and Ajabeng. Known for his use of hand-woven West African textiles and vibrant colors, Ize’s collection boasts colorful striped jackets, tailored suits worn over tights as well as a knitted hat. With the win, the 30-year-old designer continues to expand his growing fame. He was LVMH Prize 2019 finalist. The finale brought to a close the 2020 Arise Fashion Week which defied the odds of the pandemic and held virtually for the first time. The theme of this year’s event was ’30 Under 30: The New Stars’ where 30 designers were selected to participate in the competition. It also featured Campbell and Alton Mason modelling for designers like Mmuso Maxwell, Bloke, Tzar Studios, Lagos Space Programme and Colrs
This year’s event marked the first time the award is attaching a monetary reward to its ceremony and also the first time the focus is solely on young designers.
“We need a breath of fresh air. We need younger people to get into this space, and be given the accreditation they certainly deserve,”
noted Ruth Osime, co-producer of ARISE Fashion Week.
Supermodel Naomi Campbell announced Ize as the winner after two days of un-missable runway action from 30 designers. Ize was rewarded with a $100,000 cash prize and the runners-up RÉ Lagos and Mmuso Maxwell were not left out, they are to receive $75,000 and $50,000 respectively. Ize was shortlisted in 2019 for the LVMH Prize and more recently became a finalist for the 2021 International Wool-mark Prize. It goes to show how talented the aso-oke front runner is and we can’t wait to see his future wins. Known for his use of hand-woven West African textiles and vibrant colours, Ize’s collection boasts colorful striped jackets, tailored suits worn over tights as well as a knitted hat. With the win, the 30-year-old designer continues to expand his growing fame.
This year’s event marked the first time the award is attaching a monetary reward to its ceremony and also the first time the focus is solely on young designers.
Watch the announcement video below;
