Increasing terrorist attacks around the world are affecting the fashion industry too, as biennial FIMA festival in Niger, which is Africa’s prime fashion event, has been called off on the eve of its launch over fears of terror attacks. International Festival of Fashion – FIMA Africa, scheduled for November 25-29, was supposed to witness around 1,000 designers from 40 nations for the fashion week. It has been said that the FIMA will take place very soon but dates yet to be announced. The previous 2013 edition of FIMA was also held under tight security in fears of an attack.
Alphadi (real name – Seidnaly Sidhamed), a prominent couturier said, “The Niger Government has decided to postpone this 10th edition of FIMA due to events in Diffa (south-east Niger), Mali, Chad, Cameroon, France.” There are security concerns as terrorists have staged repeated attacks since February in Niger’s south-east Diffa region near Nigeria, leaving many people dead.
First held in 1998, the event allows African designers to come together with other international designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Kenzo, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paco Rabanne. Since then, the event has been going on every 2 years.
