Fashions Finest Africa charts path to a more rewarding fashion business

Stakeholders, including young fashion entrepreneurs and enthusiasts, gathered at the Fashions Finest Africa Epic Show last weekend to discuss issues in the fashion industry on the continent and celebrate timeless and laudable designs that are being created.

The two-day event had in attendance over 2000 people from different sectors of the fashion industry to gain knowledge from veterans and showcase their craft. As part of the event, there was a conference on the business of fashion themed ‘Meeting the Worldwide Demand for African Fashion: How Do I Benefit?’

At the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Fashions Finest Africa and event convener, Sola Oyebade, said the aim was to bridge the gap between new and emerging fashion entrepreneurs and their dreams and aspirations in the industry and empower them to succeed.

“Most new and emerging fashion entrepreneurs, whether they are designers, leather wear manufacturers, make-up artists, hairstylists, influencers or even fashion show producers, in most cases, have no access to the right knowledge, financing or platform to showcase their craft and gain visibility as the options available are usually too expensive or too high for them. This event was created to allow these entrepreneurs gain first-hand knowledge and improve their craft while also promoting commerce. This is about education and empowerment and it is aimed at people that normally wouldn’t get the chance to walk at the big shows or on the international stages.

“We want to change the industry by empowering small voices, which are in the majority, by giving them this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Founder of the Adire Oodua Textile Hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, urged young people to take advantage of the platform, adding that collaboration is the way to go if they wish to grow.

The event also featured amazing designs from numerous designers including Eugene D’Wise from Ghana, LovelabelbyIfe, Cute-Saint, Joseph Ejiro, Afro King and Queen, Deefurse Leatherware, Fhibbs, JPKouture, Kelikume Fashion, Vicci Mahi, House of DOF and Ama Okoji.

Three young models went home with N100, 000 each as winners of the People’s Catwalk Competition, which had over 200 contestants.