Austrian Lace Show and Documentary

Junior "Iro and buba" for Ituen Basi 

What originally started in 2009 as an initiative to document the history of Lace – especially Austrian Lace in Nigeria, by the Museum of Ethnology in Vienna, has since developed into a cooperation project merging culture, trade and fashion. The Austrian Embroidery Association in collaboration with the Commercial Section of the Austrian Embassy, recently celebrated history, culture, fashion and trade relationship between Austria and Nigeria for the last 50 years in Nigeria.

This relationship was a beautiful manifestation, bringing to the limelight, the works of four amazing Nigerian designers at the Austrian Lace Fashion Show, on Saturday 14th May 2011 at the Expo Centre, Eko Hotel, Lagos. Folake Folarin Coker of Tiffany Amber, Frank Osodi of House of Bunor, Godwin Mekwuye of Vivid Imagination and Ituen Basi for Ituen Basi were the designers selected, as part of this initiative to represent the rich textures of Austrian Lace


Frank Osodi: House of Bunor -

Folake Folarin-Coker: Tiffany Amber -

Ituen Basi: Ituen Basi -

Godwin Mekwuye: Vivid Imagination-

In a documentary produced and directed by Bola Balogun for Glam Networks, the Austrian Embroidery Association with the Commercial Section of the Austrian Embassy, take us on a journey that spans the last (5) five decades - building, strengthening, promoting and celebrating Nigeria through what we have come to know and love as ‘African Lace’. The documentary tells a brief story of the Austrian - Nigerian lace trade from inception - the manufacturers' first foray into Nigeria in search of new business opportunities, to the close ties that have been formed with some of these 'lace ladies' who have passed the trade on to their next generation. It tells us how Austrian /Nigerian relationship has grown beyond trade into culture with the 'aso - ebi' phenomenon and gradually, into fashion through the recent collaboration between the Austrian Embroidery Association and  the four Nigerian designers.

This documentary shows the dedication and commitment of the Austrian Embroidery Association to a market they have come to know and love; and have become so passionate about that they have decided to contribute to the growth and development of the Nigerian fashion industry through non stop collaborations with fashion designers in the Industry.

Photo Credit: Kola Oshalusi
Video Credit: Glam Networks; StyleHouseFiles