Africa's prime fashion event, the two-yearly FIMA festival in Niger, was called off Tuesday on the eve of its launch over fears of terror attacks, Niger designer Alphadi announced.
"The Niger
government has decided to postpone this 10th edition of FIMA due to
events in Diffa (southeast Niger), Mali, Chad, Cameroon, France," said
Alphadi, a prominent couturier whose real name is Seidnaly Sidhamed.
Due
to have gathered some 1,000 designers, models and fashion types from 40
nations for Africa's November 25-29 fashion week, the festival will
take place "very soon", he added without giving a date.
Armed
jihadists and suicide bombers from Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamist group
have staged repeated attacks since February in Niger's southeast Diffa
region near Nigeria, leaving hundreds of people dead.
Alphadi,
whose collections feature worldwide, said the postponement also aimed to
show "compassion" for neighbouring Mali, in national mourning after an
attack on a luxury hotel last week that left 19 people dead.
First
held in 1998, the Niger fashion get-together gathers buyers and
stylists as well as showcasing the latest creations in African
sculpture, art and jewellery.
Musicians and sports VIPs also
attend. Professional footballers Samuel Eto'o from Cameroon and Ivorian
Yaya Toure were expected for this year's launch in Niger's biggest
stadium.
The last 2013 edition was held under tight security in fear of an attack by the Al-Qaeda Islamic Maghreb (AQMI).
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AFRICAN FASHION (FIMA) POSTPONED OVER SECURITY ISSUES
Reviewed by Bash
on
02:46:00
Rating:

No comments: