A leading fashion house, Kinabuti, led by Italian-born designer, Ms Caterina Bortolussi, in conjunction with the Nehemiah Project, has taken the initiative to empower the Nigerian youths by showing them avenues to exploit their creativity and make real their full capability. At the motivational event held at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Ms Bortolussi said: 'Empower the youths and you have empowered the nation. The strength of a nation lies in the youth as they are the future leaders of the country.' The theme of the event, Rebuilding Lives, drew celebrities, across the metropolitan, as Basket Mouth, Banke Meshida Lawal, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and others who shared their success stories and gave encouraging words with the purpose of prompting a change by encouraging them to redefine their aspirations and give shape to their own potential and purpose in life. The fashion icon, Bortolussi, said the idea of the show was borne out of a need to encourage and promote the youth to develop and explore their God-given talents by bringing them tales of celebrated Nigerians and others who are celebrities in their own right, who have successfully pursued their dreams by utilising their innate talents. The Nehemiah Project is a group of well meaning individuals committed to rebuilding the society by empowering and inspiring youths as future leaders of the country to discover, explore and realise their full potentials. In the same light, Kinabuti, aside being a fashion trade mark, is also a non-profit social enterprise arm called 'Kinabuti Lab,' which is committed to charity and development, using fashion as a medium for creating awareness and alleviating the plight of Nigerian youths in deprived communities through creativity, educational trainings and new job opportunities. The well-attended occasion, which played host to several celebrities such as Ty Bello, D'Banj, MI, Waje, Holy Mallam, Lanre Da Silva, Ali Baba, Fela Durotoye, Tara, Funke Akindele, Cobhams, Gideon Okeke, Ireti Doyle, Mai Atafo, Elohor Aisien, Ibidun Ituha-Ighodalo with the duo of Kate Henshaw Nuttall and Tee-A as comperes for the night, also hosted the Kinabuti 'In Our Ghetto' models from Port Harcourt. However, in consonance with the theme, 'Rebuilding Lives,' 21 young ladies discovered from various communities like Bundu Waterside, Eleme, Marine Base Waterside and Igbikisikalama in Port Harcourt, with no previous experience were introduced.According to Ms Bortolussi, the ladies were trained by professionals in the skills of make-up, hairstyling, walking and other elements needed to give them a deep understanding of the modelling profession. They were invited to Lagos to be a part of the project and given the opportunity to strut the catwalk to showcase the amazing designs of accomplished designers such as Odio Mimonet, Phunkafrique, and IAMISIGO.
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