Diamond Woman Fetes “Lady Esther" As She Moves To Smithsonian Museum, Washington DC

Diamond Woman, the innovative product of Diamond Bank PLC that celebrates women and their achievements, recently celebrated “Lady Esther”, a hand-painted dress that depicts the historical situations across Africa. 

The dress will be displayed permanently at the Smithsonian Museum of African Arts, Washington DC, as the first ever of its kind to be given such relevance at the globally-recognised Smithsonian Institute.

The dress designed by Ms Patience Torlowei, a Nigerian designer, entered into the Earth Matters Fashion Competition in February 2014 and emerged the winner amidst stiff competition.

The dress named “Lady Esther”, is named in memory of designer’s departed mother and illustrates the historical situations across Africa, such as apartheid in South Africa, environmental degradation as a result of oil spillage in Nigeria and diamond mining in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Congo.

Speaking in Lagos at the farewell reception of the unique dress that has brought her international recognition as a designer, Torlowei said:  “I named the dress in memory of my mum. I was inspired to do the painting of some misfortunes that had occurred in Africa. I am happy to have won the competition but I must confess my emotional attachment to the dress since I started making it.”

This is indeed a significant achievement for the Nigerian fashion industry as the Smithsonian Institute, founded in 1846, is a globally-recognised historical centre and is strategically located in the heart of the United States of America -- Washington DC.

Dignitaries at the event included renowned accountant, Mr. Akintola Williams, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, Prof. Pat Utomi, Lilian Unachukwu, Mrs. Abba Folawiyo, Mrs. Maiden Alex–Ibru, Seni Williams, and many others.