“We’re gonna be big!” she said only a year ago, with conviction and a hearty chuckle that followed, filling up the room with her larger than life presence and mischievous glint in her eyes.

It was a glorious April day in London before an exclusive shoot of her Afro-Mania collection for BHF Magazine, and sitting in front of me, struggling to contain her chuckles was the up and coming UK based Nigerian designer and the creator of the Afro-Bohemian Chic label, Nkwo Onwuka.

And in less than a year, she was proven right in her conviction. In less than a year, the winner of the 2007 Phoenix Award at London Kulture2Couture Fashion Show, had showcased her innovative and inspirational designs on catwalks from Kingston to Johannesburg and was featured in major UK, US and African publications.

As Nkwo climbed to the top through the echelons of African fashion over the last twelve months towards the limelight, behind the scenes, she continued to create her unimaginably innovative and inspirational creations. The more creative came to life, the more photo shoots came along; whether it be the bleak midwinter, in the biting chill of Shropshire, or on a breezy summer’s day in a dreamy garden, or at Covent Garden Market late into the night, suffering frostbite hours before the first snowfall of the year… Somewhere along the line, Nkwo stopped being just another designer and became a friend.

With success, unfortunately, come haters… So it was not surprising at all to read the words of one, following Nkwo’s stellar catwalk at the Arise Africa Fashion Week. “It was a show of shame yesterday in Sandton, Johannesburg and I was a sad Nigerian,” wrote Mr Oluwatobi Adedoyin, and continued, “Nigerian models who are regarded the best in Africa were sidelined by the most unpatriotic group of Nigerian designers ever to represent our great country” before carrying on to allege that Tiffany Amber and Nkwo Onwuka were the said “unpatriotic group of Nigerian designers” who had asked for white models to walk their catwalk.

The writer then went on to claim that the aforementioned designers were “infected” with “inferiority complex” which he likened to a “terrible disease” and concluded with fervently voicing his hope these designers “who are economic fugitives in London never get to come to Nigeria to do any show again.” Clearly, on that triumphant note, the writer was seeking a heartfelt ‘Amen’ from his readership.

Since this piece resurfaced, the rumours in the African fashion industry have been ripe. Since Nkwo first spotted this piece and e-mailed it over to me, she has not had peace. She has not eaten, not slept, not sewn. And those that know Nkwo would certainly know that something’s wrong if Nkwo is not busy sewing at all hours of the day.

Those who know Nkwo know she lives, breathes, thinks fashion. Those who know Nkwo know she is not only one of the freshest fashion designers out of Africa but also a passionate spokesperson for Africa. Those who know Nkwo know she is in her element in her studio as the visionary awakes in her to the hypnotic beats of Fela. Those who know Nkwo would know that it frustrates her to no end seeing African designers, models or photographers not being given a fair chance in the industry.

Those who know Nkwo know, while as a businesswoman she realizes the importance of catering for women of all ethnicities, she is passionate about seeing her clothes where they belong, on the statuesque, graceful, feminine figure of an African woman, where the shades of cerulean blues, earth browns, glistening oranges come to live on the silky chocolate brown skin of a Nubian queen. Those who know Nkwo know that in every single photo shoot she does she insists on using African models.

I am curious to find out who the writer’s sources for such brutal allegations, clearly intended to hurt and humiliate a most talented designer, were. I am also baffled to see anyone with an ounce of commonsense and a pinch of respect for their pen, sit down to write such a vitriolic diatribe without investigating the full story. And I am certainly hopeful the writer of the piece will perhaps see my defense and choose to enlighten me on the reasons behind his efforts to stain the good name and reputation of a proud Nigerian.

Knowing Nkwo, I know she is not only one of the most promising fashion designers of Africa, but one of the most patriotic Nigerians you will ever meet. Knowing Nkwo, I know she is Afro-bohemian, a bohemian African, loud and proud. Knowing Nkwo is no difficult feat… perhaps all the more reason I am enraged someone somewhere has not bothered to get to know her...

Robot  # 1 | 18.07.2009 22:10

With success, unfortunately, come haters… So it was not surprising at all to read the words of one, following Nkwo’s stellar catwalk at the Arise Africa Fashion Week. “It was a show of shame yesterday in Sandton, Johannesburg and I was a sad Nigerian,” wrote Mr Oluwatobi Adedoyin, and continued, “Nigerian models who are regarded the best in Africa were sidelined by the most unpatriotic group of Nigerian designers ever to represent our great country” before carrying on to allege that Tiffany Amber and Nkwo Onwuka were the said “unpatriotic group of Nigerian designers” who had asked for white models to walk their catwalk....Read the full article.