Kibonen is usually very proudly "Toghu chic".....She is taking it to the next level!!
History
is about to be made! Kibonen Nfi announces her participation at the prestigious Fall 2014
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York. Nfi
is the brain child behind one of Africa’s most original emerging fashion
labels, KibonenǀNY, and she looks forward to participating in the coveted event
taking place at the Lincoln Center on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 8pm.
Kibonen’s
participation at Mercedes Benz Fashion week comes at the heels of a rigorous audition
process organized by the Art Institutes of NYC where she is currently enrolled
as a fashion design student. While over
60 students auditioned, 13 students were selected, and Kibonen was one of the talented
elite selected. Kibonen joins the list
of the few African designers who have showcased on this platform.
Kibonen delved into fashion
in 2009 when she came up with the ingenious idea to revolutionize the “Toghu,”
which is the royal regalia worn by the Tikar people of the Bamileke and Bamenda
regions of Cameroon, West African. She
further developed her aesthetic vision by creating
pieces that not only represent the Cameroonian tribes, but garments wearable
and appreciated by the ultra-modern client.
While Nfi constantly gains inspirations from the African prints, African
tribes, nature, symbols and representing them on her textile designs, she uses
this inspiration to print on luxurious and more contemporary fabrics.
As that “child of Africa” she has
successfully showcased her talent at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa in South
Africa2012 and 2013, has been featured in BBC- focus on Africa, GQ SA, the New
African Woman Magazine and her work has been in exhibitions at the National
Museum of African Art – Smithsonian Institution.
As the African Fashion International Awards
2013 nominee for emerging designer of the year and the Cameroon Academy Awards
recipient for Designer of the year 2013 Kibonen has decided to transform her
natural talent to a financially viable career.
Nfi reiterates the fact that “ Anyone can be very talented but will need
the right channels to explore their talent. Going back to the Art Institutes of
NYC for a degree in Fashion Design is the best decision I ever made. They
provide me with the support system I need to leap forward in the industry and
to the right direction. This to me has no price and I truly feel privileged to
be a part of this entire experience. ”.
Sustainability in fashion is key to this
designer who thinks of Cameroon as a country with abundant talent, unbelievable
design aesthetics, and amazing and beautiful people yet over 49% of the
population live below the poverty line. This was another gripping factor that
urged Kibonen to further develop her skills and use the business of fashion to
eventually help create employment in Cameroon, paying employees a fair wage
that will not only aid survival but allow them to improve their standard of
living.
Kibonen has decided to dig
further into the modern fashion world in order to further develop her skills
and better articulate the needs of her clients. Developing a lot of support
along with knowledge and skills from her school, Nfi recently landed a
phenomenal internship opportunity at Donna Karan New York in the Atelier
Division. Where they design exclusive outfits for celebrities. We look forward
to seeing what the future holds for Kibonen Nfi during the 2014 Mercedes Benz
Fashion Week!
Facebook:
KibonenNY, Twitter: KibonenNY, Instargram: KibonenNY, Tunepics: KibonenNY,
Contact:
Info@kibonenny.com
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Thumbs up Kibs and the Kibonen NY crew..Looking forward to more from the show. Keep flying the 237 flag high.
Y.M.
IRepCamer
