Don Bosco Stitches Celebrates Five Years of Empowering Young Women with ‘From the Street to the Runway’ Fashion Show
Don Bosco Stitches marked five years of equipping young women with practical skills for employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance with a special runway fashion show held on 16 August 2026 at the iZone Event Centre, Lagos.
The event, themed “From the Street to the Runway,” brought together guests from the fashion industry, partner organisations, the Salesian community and other sectors to celebrate the achievements of the project and the young women whose skills and creativity have continued to grow through the programme.
Established during the COVID-19 pandemic, Don Bosco Stitches was created in response to the disruption of livelihoods and employment opportunities experienced by many young people, particularly women. The initiative sought to provide young women with practical fashion and garment-making skills that could help them build sustainable livelihoods and greater economic independence.
Five years on, the project is currently training its 13th cohort, with many former beneficiaries going on to establish their own fashion businesses and build careers within the industry.
From Skills Training to Economic Opportunity
Speaking at the event, the Director of Don Bosco Stitches, Rev. Fr. Chike Ekuagba, SDB, reflected on the vision behind the initiative and the importance of investing in the potential of young women.
He noted that the project was established out of a desire not to allow the challenges of the pandemic to determine the future of young women, but instead to invest in their abilities and create opportunities for them to thrive.
Fr. Ekuagba also emphasised that the programme goes beyond teaching participants how to sew.
“Skills are powerful tools for economic transformation.”
He explained that the training equips participants with practical skills in design and production while also exposing them to creativity, entrepreneurship and the realities of the marketplace.
The five-year celebration therefore provided an opportunity not only to showcase fashion but also to highlight the wider impact of skills development and economic empowerment.
From the Classroom to the Runway
The runway exhibition was one of the major highlights of the celebration.
Fashion brands established by former beneficiaries of Don Bosco Stitches, including Adaku Atelier, Natag Stitches, Lolamot Couture, Tee Ujor Fashion Home, NAK Clothing and Abidar Collection, presented a range of creative designs.
Runway exhibitions are already part of the Don Bosco Stitches training programme, where participants present their work as part of their graduation projects. The anniversary celebration, however, provided an opportunity to take this experience beyond the classroom and onto a larger platform.
The theme, “From the Street to the Runway,” reflected the journey of the project and its beneficiaries—turning limited opportunities into skills, creativity and possibilities for the future.
The fashion showcase was complemented by a cultural dance presentation by children from the Don Bosco Child Protection Centre, CPC Onipetesi, and a spoken-word performance by Joba the Great.
Documentary presentations also allowed guests an opportunity to hear directly from former beneficiaries about their experiences with Don Bosco Stitches and how the training has influenced their lives and careers.
Celebrating the People Behind the Journey
The celebration also recognised the people who have contributed to the growth of Don Bosco Stitches over the past five years.
Special recognition was given to the project’s instructors, Mrs Angel Udott and Ms Jennifer Oshiapi, whose dedication has enabled participants to progress from learning basic patterns to independently creating garments.
The Project Coordinator and other consulting partners were also acknowledged for their contributions to the programme.
The success of Don Bosco Stitches has also been supported by partners who have invested in the vision of equipping young women with skills and opportunities. These include Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Jugend Eine Welt, Salesian Missions, Don Bosco Mondo, Missioni Don Bosco, and other partners who have supported the project and the anniversary celebration.
The event also highlighted the need for continued support to enable Don Bosco Stitches to reach and empower more young women.
As the project enters its sixth year, its journey continues to demonstrate the value of investing in practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurship. Through continued collaboration with partners and supporters, Don Bosco Stitches hopes to create opportunities for more young women to develop their talents, build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to their families and communities.
The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks from the Project Coordinator, Mr Stephen Igbokwe, who expressed appreciation to the guests, partners, exhibitors and everyone who has contributed to the growth of Don Bosco Stitches.
As the project looks to the future, the message from the celebration remains clear: when young women are given the opportunity to learn, create and build, skills can become a pathway to dignity, independence and sustainable livelihoods.