In a bid to nurture the next generation of creative minds in fashion, Polaris Bank, in partnership with Amtis Skills Place, successfully hosted the 2024 Amtis Vintage Fashion Competition. The initiative aimed to identify, train, and mentor young designers while celebrating classic fashion eras.
Since its establishment in 2015, Amtis Skills Place has been dedicated to equipping young Nigerians with vocational skills, bridging the gap between traditional education and the demands of the modern job market. This year’s competition, sponsored by Polaris Bank, brought together designers, makeup artists, and models aged 18 to 35, collaborating to create vintage-inspired garments.
Participants were evaluated on creativity, craftsmanship, teamwork, and their interpretation of vintage themes. The competition culminated in an awards ceremony where three finalists emerged victorious. Wuraola Robert clinched the top prize of ₦500,000, while the second and third-place winners received ₦300,000 and ₦200,000, respectively.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, the bank reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs. “Polaris Bank ensures that you achieve your dreams in the right perspective, which is why we partnered with Amtis Vintage Fashion. We can assure you that there will be bigger things in the coming year: a more expanded event, more content, more giveaways, and greater empowerment for the business sector,” Lawal said.
The Managing Director of Amtis Skills Place, Omotunde Adebusola, expressed gratitude to Polaris Bank for their support, saying, “We are deeply grateful to Polaris Bank for believing in our vision to nurture young talents. Their partnership made this year’s event a resounding success, and we look forward to even greater collaborations in the future.”
The grand prize winner, Wuraola Robert, shared her excitement and gratitude, stating, “This competition has transformed my career, and I’m excited to invest this prize into growing my brand.”
Polaris Bank’s support for the Amtis Vintage Fashion Competition underscores its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. The bank’s contributions have earned it accolades, including Nigeria’s Best Bank for MSMEs of the Year at the Business Day Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards and Nigeria’s Best Bank in MSME Lending at the maiden MSME Awards by Nairametrics and The Economic Forum.
The competition not only showcased emerging talents but also reinforced the mission of Polaris Bank and Amtis Skills Place to translate creativity into viable and sustainable careers for young Nigerians.