Diamond Woman, the innovative product of Diamond
Bank PLC that celebrates women and their achievements, recently celebrated “Lady
Esther”, a hand-painted dress that depicts the historical situations across
Africa.
The dress will be displayed
permanently at the Smithsonian Museum of African Arts, Washington DC, as the
first ever of its kind to be given such relevance at the globally-recognised
Smithsonian Institute.
The dress designed by Ms Patience Torlowei, a
Nigerian designer, entered into the Earth Matters Fashion Competition in
February 2014 and emerged the winner amidst stiff competition.
The dress named “Lady Esther”, is named in memory
of designer’s departed mother and illustrates the historical situations across
Africa, such as apartheid in South Africa, environmental degradation as a result
of oil spillage in Nigeria and diamond mining in Sierra Leone, Liberia and
Congo.
Speaking in Lagos at the farewell reception of the
unique dress that has brought her international recognition as a designer, Torlowei
said: “I named the dress in memory of my
mum. I was inspired to do the painting of some misfortunes that had occurred in
Africa. I am happy to have won the competition but I must confess my emotional
attachment to the dress since I started making it.”
This is
indeed a significant achievement for the Nigerian fashion industry as the Smithsonian Institute, founded in 1846,
is a globally-recognised historical centre and is strategically located in the heart of the United States of America -- Washington
DC.
Dignitaries at the event included renowned accountant, Mr. Akintola Williams, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Lilian Unachukwu, Mrs. Abba Folawiyo, Mrs. Maiden Alex–Ibru, Seni Williams, and many others.
Dignitaries at the event included renowned accountant, Mr. Akintola Williams, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Lilian Unachukwu, Mrs. Abba Folawiyo, Mrs. Maiden Alex–Ibru, Seni Williams, and many others.
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