The fashion industry is booming on a global scale which continues to offer countless business opportunities along the value chain. Here in Ghana, the fashion industry is gradually gaining ground among the fashion enthusiasts who are realizing the business potential in it. The youth of today are boldly venturing into this territory in order to build sustainable businesses and careers aside looking trendy and patronizing fashion products and services.
As part of the 6th annual Glitz Africa Fashion Week (GAFW), Glitz Africa organized the Young Creative Design Talent competition for emerging designers to offer them training and also the enviable platform that GAFW provides in exposing them to the fashion community in Africa and the world as a whole.
Over a hundred applications were received to enter the competition. Out of the number, 40 of them were shortlisted and given the opportunity to pitch their business models and present their designs to a panel of top designers with the likes of Aisha Ayensu of Christie Brown, Kwaku Bediako of Chocolate Clothing, Elikem Kumordzie the Tailor and Claudia Lumor, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Glitz Africa Magazine.
After the initial screening, a selected group were taken through some mentorship and training sessions. The final six were shortlisted to participate at the next stage: a masterclass with industry experts. The six applicants were: Larry Jafaru Mohammed, Jemima Claudia Asante, Banini Sena Bright, Bibiana Owusu Prempeh Gyasi, Prince Aduamah Osei, Edzordzinam Agrosah, Emmanuel Kelvin Quaye and Esenam Agyekumhene. They were tasked to make outfits out of recyclable materials and present at the masterclass.
Top performing graduates at various fashion schools in Ghana were also invited to join the masterclass which took place at The African Regent on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Personalities like Joyce Ababio, Fred Deegbe, Alima Bello and Renée Q. Boateng served as facilitators. Topics discussed included:
Pricing and how to keep your fashion business sustainable (Fred Deegbe – CEO, Heel the World & Managing Partner, Duaba Serwa)
Developing the right structure to allow growth and scaling up (Joyce Ababio – Founder, The Joyce Ababio College of Creative Design)
Developing a brand essence, identity and ethics (Alima Bello – Founder, Bello Edu)
Projecting your brand in confidence (Renée Q. Boateng – CEO, RenéeQ)
The masterclass was a huge success as the facilitators expressed their contentment with the level of engagement from the emerging designers. Likewise, the young creatives showed their appreciation for the opportunity to learn from these industry experts at the takeoff stage of their careers. They were also commended for showing so much creativity with their tasks of recyclable outfits.
The six young designers will be showcasing their collections at the GAFW18 and the ultimate winner(s) will receive a package.
